GENERIC NAME: METHOXSALEN - TOPICAL (meh-THOX-sal-en)
BRAND NAME(S): Oxsoralen
Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
WARNING: Methoxsalen is a powerful drug and could produce severe burns if improperly used. This medication must never be dispensed to a patient. Only a doctor using special light conditions must apply this drug.
USES: This medication is a photosensitizer used in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo. To be effective, this medication is used in conjunction with ultraviolet (UVA) light therapy.
HOW TO USE: Use this medication as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or use it more often. Your condition will not clear faster, but side effects may be increased. This medication is used for small, well-defined skin lesions. Keep lesions protected from light by wearing proper clothing and using sunscreens. Because this medication makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight, for several days, avoid exposure to the sun to prevent severe burns.
SIDE EFFECTS: This medication increases sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid exposure to sunlight or sunlamps as directed and wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Eye damage, cataracts, skin aging and skin cancer are risks of this medication and UVA therapy. Protect eyes by using goggles during UVA therapy. This medication causes changes in skin color that can occur after a few weeks and up to 9 months. Notify your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms: skin rash, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, nervousness, fever, sleeplessness, mouth sores, blisters, fluid retention, leg cramps. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Psoriasis - Read about psoriasis symptoms, causes, treatment information, medication and types: vulgaris, guttate, inverse and pustular. Red dry flakes, skin scales and plaques of raised skin are common symptoms.
- Vitiligo - Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, research and treatment of vitiligo, an incurable pigmentation disorder and autoimmune disease that causes white patches (depigmentation) on the skin.
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