Methoxsalen

Methoxsalen helps increase the body’s sensitivity to ultraviolet light A (UVA).

Methoxsalen is used with UVA light therapy to treat severe psoriasis.

Methoxsalen can harm your vision and your skin (causing premature aging or skin cancer). Methoxsalen is only for severe psoriasis that hasn’t improved with other treatments. You must stay under a doctor’s care while taking methoxsalen.

Methoxsalen may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You may need to have your eyes examined first.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Methoxsalen doses are based on your weight. Tell your doctor if you gain or lose weight.

You will take methoxsalen a specific number of hours before your scheduled UVA treatment. Soft gelatin capsules (Oxsoralen-Ultra) are absorbed more easily than hard gelatin capsules (8-Mop). The timing of your dose will depend on which type of capsule you are taking.

You may need to continue taking methoxsalen for a short time after UVA treatment. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Take this medicine with low-fat food or milk if it makes your stomach upset.

If your doctor changes your brand, strength, or type of methoxsalen, your dose and UVA light therapy schedule may change. Oxsoralen-Ultra and 8-Mop are not equivalent medicines and may not have the same dosing schedule.

Methoxsalen will increase your sensitivity to sunlight, which can harm your vision and skin (causing premature aging or skin cancer).

For at least 8 hours after you take methoxsalen:

• Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds.
• Even sunlight coming through clouds or a glass window can expose you to harmful UV rays.
• Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors or near a window.
• Do not apply sunscreen to areas of active psoriasis that will be treated with UVA therapy.

For 24 to 48 hours after you receive UVA treatment:

• You must protect your skin and eyes from natural sunlight (even sunlight shining through a window).
• Do not expose your skin to any sunlight. Wear protective clothing, including a hat and gloves. Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and apply it to all uncovered skin areas exposed to light.
• Wear sunglasses for at least 24 hours after treatment.
• For maximum protection, wear wraparound UVA-absorbing sunglasses, even while indoors near a window.

You may develop cataracts if you do not properly protect your eyes after methoxsalen and UVA treatment.

Follow your doctor's instructions regarding applying topical psoriasis medications or any moisturizing lotions after your methoxsalen and UVA treatment.

Check your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer, such as a small growth or nodule, a scaly or crusted lesion, a brownish spot or speckles, or any changes in the size, color, or feel of a mole. You may need to check your skin for signs of cancer for the rest of your life.

Store methoxsalen at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

You should not use methoxsalen if you are sensitive to light, if you have lens damage in your eye, or if you have had skin cancer.

Methoxsalen can cause harmful effects on your vision and on your skin. You must avoid natural sunlight for up to 48 hours after UVA treatment.

Oxsoralen-Ultra and 8-Mop are not equivalent medicines and may not have the same dosing schedule.

You should not use methoxsalen if you are allergic to methoxsalen or similar medicines, or if you have:

• lupus, porphyria, albinism, or other conditions that make you more sensitive to light;
• a history of skin cancer (melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma); or
• damage to the lenses of your eyes caused by surgery, injury, or a genetic condition.

Before your UVA treatment: Do not expose your skin to sunlight for at least 24 hours before you take methoxsalen. Avoid applying sunscreen to areas of psoriasis that will be treated with UVA therapy.

You may need to have your eyes examined before you start taking methoxsalen.

To make sure methoxsalen is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease;
• liver or kidney disease;
• a skin pigment disorder;
• cataracts;
• basal cell carcinoma;
• extreme sensitivity to sunlight (if you sunburn easily); or
• radiation or x-ray therapy, or treatment with arsenic trioxide (Trisenox).

It is not known whether methoxsalen taken orally will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Methoxsalen may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• severe skin redness within 24 hours after UVA treatment;
• swelling, severe itching, or severe skin discomfort;
• skin redness and swelling with blisters;
• worsening of your psoriasis;
• a new skin lesion, or a mole that has changed in size or color; or
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.

Mild skin redness may occur and can last for 1 or 2 days. This is a normal side effect after UVA treatment and may not be a sign of severe sunburn. Ask your doctor if you have concerns about any redness or swelling.

Common side effects of methoxsalen may include:

• itching, redness;
• nausea;
• feeling nervous; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Call your doctor for instructions if you did not take methoxsalen at the correct time before your scheduled UVA treatment. You may need to reschedule.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. You may be told to make yourself vomit and stay in a dark room for 24 hours. You will be very sensitive to light after an overdose.

Avoid sunlight or artificial UV rays except for your scheduled light therapy treatments.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any that you start or stop. Methoxsalen can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight if you also take certain other medicines, especially:

• anthralin;
• an antibiotic or a sulfa drug;
• certain antimicrobial soaps;
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• coal tar applied to the skin or scalp--such as Neutrogena T/Gel, Psoriasin, Tegrin Medicated;
• medicine to treat mental illness--fluphenazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine, and others; or
• a staining dye--such as methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose bengal, or methyl orange.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with methoxsalen, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.