OXSORALEN

Drug Name: OXSORALEN

OXSORALEN DESCRIPTION:
METHOXSALEN - TOPICAL (meh-THOX-sal-en)

COMMON OXSORALEN BRAND NAME(S):
Oxsoralen

OXSORALEN SIDE EFFECTS:
OXSORALEN 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 OXSORALEN and UVA therapy. Protect eyes by using goggles during UVA therapy. Side effects include stomach upset, headache, dizziness, nervousness, sleeplessness, skin rash, mouth sores, fever blisters, fluid retention and leg cramps. Notify your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms. OXSORALEN causes changes in skin color that can occur after a few weeks and up to 9 months. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE OXSORALEN:
OXSORALEN: Use OXSORALEN as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or use it more often. Your condition will not clear faster, but side effects may be increased. OXSORALEN is used for small, well-defined skin lesions. Keep lesions protected from light by wearing proper clothing and using sunscreens. Because OXSORALEN makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight, for several days, avoid exposure to the sun to prevent severe burns.

OXSORALEN WARNING:
Methoxsalen is a powerful drug and could produce severe burns if improperly used. OXSORALEN must never be dispensed to a patient. Only a doctor using special light conditions must apply OXSORALEN.

OXSORALEN USES:
OXSORALEN is a photosensitizer used in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo. To be effective, OXSORALEN is used in conjunction with ultraviolet (UVA) light therapy.

OXSORALEN PRECAUTIONS:
Certain foods may cause reactions when eaten during methoxsalen therapy. Try to avoid them. They include carrots, celery, figs, limes, mustard, parsley and parsnips. OXSORALEN is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor. It is not known if OXSORALEN appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. After use, avoid sun exposure for at least 12 to 48 hours. Wear protective clothing such as hats, gloves and UVA-absorbing sunglasses. Apply broad screen sunscreens (SPF 15) to all exposed skin including lips. Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to sunlight, infection, lupus, porphyria, or skin cancer.

OXSORALEN DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of medications that may increase your sensitivity to sunlight such as anthralin, coal tar, griseofulvin, phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine, promethazine), nalidixic acid, bacteriostatic soaps, sulfonamides, (e.g., sulfisoxazole), tetracyclines, thiazide diuretics and dyes such as methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose bengal and methyl orange. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OXSORALEN OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed.

OXSORALEN NOTES:
OXSORALEN must be taken under close medical supervision. Discuss the risks and benefits of this therapy with your doctor. Periodic lab tests and eye exams will be done to monitor the effectiveness of OXSORALEN.

MISSED OXSORALEN DOSE:
If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as remembered; do not use if it is almost time for the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the doses.

OXSORALEN STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight.