Details

Trioxsalen belongs to the group of medicines called psoralens. It is used along with ultraviolet light (found in sunlight and some special lamps) in a treatment called psoralen plus ultraviolet light A (PUVA) to treat vitiligo, a disease in which skin colour is lost. Trioxsalen is a very strong medicine that increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. In addition to causing serious sunburns if not properly used, it has been reported to increase the chance of skin cancer and cataracts. Also, like too much sunlight, PUVA can cause premature aging of the skin. Therefore, trioxsalen should be used only as directed and it should not be used simply for sun tanning. Before using trioxsalen, be sure that you have discussed its use with your doctor.

Typical Uses

Trioxsalen is used along with ultraviolet light in a treatment called psoralen plus ultraviolet light A (PUVA) to treat vitiligo (a disease in which skin colour is lost). It may also be used to treat psoriasis (abnormal patches of red, itchy and scaly skin), for increasing tolerance to sunlight, or increasing colour of the skin.

Side Effects

Common trioxsalen side effects may include blistering and peeling of skin reddened, sore skin swelling, especially of feet or lower legs itching of the skin, nausea, dizziness headache mental depression, etc. There is an increased risk of developing skin cancer after use of trioxsalen. You should check your body regularly and show your doctor any skin sores that do not heal, new skin growths, and skin growths that have changed in the way they look or feel.

Drug Interactions

• Trioxsalen+aminolevulinic acid topical- Aminolevulinic acid topical may cause your skin to be more sensitive to light in areas where it has been applied. The risk and/or severity of reactions such as redness, scaling, swelling, stinging, and burning may be increased when it is used with other drugs that also increase sensitivity to light such as trioxsalen. You should avoid exposure to sunlight or bright indoor lights (examination lamps, operating room lamps, tanning beds, lights at close proximity) during treatment as directed by your doctor.
• Trioxsalen+methyl aminolevulinate topical- Methyl aminolevulinate topical may cause your skin to be more sensitive to light in areas where it has been applied. The risk and/or severity of reactions such as redness, scaling, swelling, stinging, and burning may be increased when it is used with other drugs that also increase sensitivity to light such as trioxsalen. You should avoid exposure to sunlight or bright indoor lights (examination lamps, operating room lamps, tanning beds, lights at close proximity) during treatment as directed by your doctor.

Mechanism of action

Trioxsalen belongs to the group of medicines called psoralens (light-sensitive drug that absorbs ultraviolet light and acts like ultraviolet radiation). Methoxsalen works by modifying the way by which skin cells receive the ultraviolet light A (UVA) radiation, thereby clearing up the disease.