What is this medicine?
METHOXSALEN (me THOK suh luhn) is a skin coloring and light sensitizing agent. This medicine is combined with ultraviolet light or sunlight, in a therapy called PUVA. This therapy is used to treat vitiligo, a condition where skin color is missing.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- burning, blistering, or redness of the skin
- increased sensitivity to the sun and skin irritation
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- generalized itching, dry skin
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for external use on the skin only. Do not take by mouth. This medicine should only be applied by a physician to a well-defined area of skin before the area is exposed to ultraviolet A light.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This medicine is only applied by a doctor or health care professional. For the treatment to be successful, light treatment must be done at the correct time after the lotion is applied.
What may interact with this medicine?This medicine will make you sensitive to the sun. This effect may be increased by other medicines that also cause sensitivity to the sun such as:
- anthralin
- antibacterial soaps
- certain diuretics
- certain staining dyes (examples: methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose bengal, or methyl orange)
- coal tar
- griseofulvin
- medicines for infections including sulfa or tetracycline antibiotics
- medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
- vitamin A and vitamin A-like medicines and creams
- vitamin E
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may see an improvement in your condition after a few weeks. The full effect can take 6 to 9 months of treatment. This medicine and PUVA can increase your risk of getting skin cancer. Show your doctor or health care professional any unusual sores or blemishes that develop. If your skin gets very dry, ask your doctor or health care professional before you use any skin products.
This medicine can increase sensitivity of the skin to sun or UV light. This could lead to a serious burn. Keep out of the sun for at least 24 hours before and 48 hours after PUVA. Keep out of the sun for 12 to 48 hours after application of this medicine. If you must be outside, wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen (at least SPF 15). Do not apply sunscreen to areas of psoriasis until after light therapy. Do not use sun lamps, sun tanning beds or booths. Certain foods can increase your sensitivity to sunlight while using this medicine. Avoid eating limes, figs, parsley, parsnips, mustard, carrots, and celery while using this medicine.
You can get permanent premature aging of the skin if you use this medicine for a long time. This effect is similar to the result of too much sunbathing.
Recent treatment with radiation therapy or cancer medicines increases the chance of developing side effects from combined light treatment and this medicine.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- absence of the lens in the eye
- albinism
- cataracts
- heart disease
- porphyria
- skin cancer
- recent radiation therapy
- skin photosensitivity problems
- an unusual or allergic reaction to methoxsalen, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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