Oxsoralen-ultra

Oxsoralen-ultra along with ultraviolet A light is used in the treatment of vitiligo (a disease in which skin become colorless) and mycosis fungoid (white blood cell lymphoma).

Methoxsalen belongs to a group called psoralen. Methoxsalen (a psoralen) and ultraviolet A together called PUVA works by making the skin more sensitive to UV light. Sensitivity results in damage to the skin cells and so damaged skin cells grow more slowly and the rate of tissue growth is reduced.

It may also be used for other conditions such as alopecia areata, eczema, inflammatory dermatoses, lichen planus, need to increase tolerance of skin to sunlight and psoriasis.

It is available in the form of capsule and liquid filled capsule, only with your doctor’s prescription.

Before using Oxsoralen-ultra, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Allergy

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.

Children

Methoxsalen should not be used in children younger than 12 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Elderly

It should be used with caution as they may be more sensitive to its effects.

Pregnancy

It is a category C drug. It is not safe in pregnancy. It may cause harm and abnormalities in an unborn baby.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies which prove that Methoxsalen passes into breast milk or not. If you are using Methoxsalen while nursing, discuss it with your doctor for possible risk factors.

Drug Interactions

Methoxsalen may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He/she may want to change the dosage or drug. Some of them are listed below:

• Phenytoin
• Anagrelide
• Clozapine
• Pirfenidone
• Tegafur
• Fosphenytoin

Other Medical Problem

Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.

Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as:

• Skin diseases
• Infections
• Heart or blood vessel disease
• Fair skinned
• History of coal tar UV treatment
• History of ionizing radiation
• History of arsenic compounds or oral psoralen UVA treatment.
• Lupus erythematosus
• Porphyria
• Skin cancer
• Eye diseases (cataract)
• Liver disease

Proper usage of Oxsoralen-ultra requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. Read the medication guide carefully. Ask your pharmacist if you have any queries.

Do not use it more often than recommended by your doctor as it may cause serious sunburns, skin cancers or premature aging of the skin. Avoid taking foods such as:

• limes
• figs
• parsley
• parsnips
• mustard
• carrots
• celery

while you are being treated with this medicine as they may increase skin sensitivity to sunlight. It may take 6 to 8 weeks or months to show improvement.

If this medicine upsets your stomach take hard gelatin capsules with food or milk and soft gelatin capsules with low-fat food or low-fat milk.

Dosage

It is different for different patients. Dosage mentioned below is an average dose.it is best to take each dose at equally spaced times a day and night. You must follow your doctor’s command.

Hard gelatin capsules:

For vitiligo

• Adults and children 12 years of age and over: Take 20 milligram (mg) of a tablet per day two to four hours before ultraviolet light A (UVA) exposure. This combination of treatment (Methoxsalen and UVA) should be taken 2 to 3 times a week at least 48 hours apart.

For mycosis fungoid and psoriasis

• Adults and children 12 years of age and over: The dose is 0.6 mg per kilogram (kg) (0.27 mg per pound) of body weight taken two hours before UVA exposure. This combination of treatment (Methoxsalen and UVA) should be taken 2 to 3 times a week at least 48 hours apart.

Soft gelatin capsule:

For psoriasis

• Adults and children 12 years of age and over: The dose is 0.4 mg per kg (0.18 mg per pound) of body weight taken one and one-half to two hours before UVA exposure. This combination of treatment (Methoxsalen and UVA) should be taken 2 to 3 times a week at least 48 hours apart.

Doses are determined by your doctor for children below 12 years of age for all above mentioned diseases.

Missed dose

Do not miss the dose. If you forget your dose, ask your pharmacist or doctor for instructions.

The gap between Methoxsalen and UVA is 2 to 4 hours if you are taking hard gelatin form of capsule or 1½ to 2 hours if you are taking soft gelatin form of a capsule. If this gap is not maintained, the treatment may show no improvement.

Storage

Store it at room temperature. Keep it away from children.

Before using Oxsoralen-ultra, there are some precautions you must take. Your doctor should check your daily progress at regular visits. He/she may want a blood or urine test to check for unwanted effects.

Avoid sun exposure for at least 24 hours before and 8 hours after the treatment. It includes indirect light through a window or on cloudy days. Wear protective clothing, or use a sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) of 15 or greater, if you cannot avoid the sun.

Protect all areas of the body, including lips, from sun exposure. Use extra caution for at least 72 hours following each treatment if you plan to spend any time in the sun.

The treated area of skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight. Serious sunburn can occur even through a window glass or on cloudy days.

Protect your eyes during daylight with special wraparound sunglasses that totally block absorption of ultraviolet light at least 24 hours after you take this medicine. It protects from cataracts. Wear even in indirect light, such as light coming through window glass or on a cloudy day.

Do not use it more often than recommended by your doctor as it may cause serious sunburns, dry and itchy skin, skin cancers or premature aging of the skin.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Oxsoralen-ultra. Some people may experience none or minor side effects.

Consult with your doctor if they become problematic or frequent:

More common are:

• Dryness or redness of the skin
• Skin itching
• skin sores
• new skin growths
• Premature aging of the skin
• Skin cancers

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.