METHOXSALEN - TOPICAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (meth-OX-a-len)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Oxsoralen

GENERIC NAME(S): methoxsalen

Uses

USES: This medication is used along with controlled ultraviolet light (UVA) to cause a return in skin color in patients with a certain skin condition (vitiligo). Methoxsalen works by making the skin more sensitive to UVA light. This combination helps to increase the number of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in the skin. This medication is not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years.

How to use METHOXSALEN - TOPICAL

HOW TO USE: This medication is applied by a health care professional to affected areas of the skin before your UVA light treatment. The frequency of treatment is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. After treatment with methoxsalen and UVA light, protect the treated area from sunlight (including sunlight through windows) for several days. This will prevent the treated area from getting too many UVA rays which could lead to sunburns. If you cannot avoid sunlight on the treated area, wear clothing over the area and/or sunscreen which blocks out UVA light. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for information on how long to protect the treated area and which sunscreen to use. You may start to see improvement in your skin color after a few weeks of treatment but it may take 6 to 9 months to get the full benefit. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve after 3 months or if it worsens.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: Mild reddening of the treated area may occur. If this effect persists or worsens, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: severe reddening of the treated area, blistering/burning/peeling of the treated area. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before using methoxsalen, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: conditions that make you sensitive to light (such as lupus, certain porphyrias, xeroderma pigmentosum, albinism), skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas), coal tar/UVB treatment, radiation treatment, arsenic treatment. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring. To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: other medications that may make your skin sensitive to light (such as anthralin, coal tar, griseofulvin, sulfa antibiotics like sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, thiazide diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide, tetracycline antibiotics like doxycycline). This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose include: severe reddening of skin, blistering/burning/peeling of skin.

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Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

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