Methoxsalen : Before Using

Methoxsalen - Extracorporeal-Systemic

Brand Names

Uvadex Methoxsalen *** Before Using *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

Methoxsalen is a very strong drug that increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. In addition to causing serious sunburns, if precautions are not properly taken, it has been reported to increase the risk of skin cancer and cataracts. Too much sunlight can also cause premature aging of the skin. In deciding to use a drug, the problems of uses this drugs must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you wil make. For methoxsalen, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to psoralens. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet Eating certain foods while you are receiving methoxsalen treat may increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight. To help prevent this, avoid eating limes, figs, parsley, parsnips, mustard, carrots and celery while you are being treated with this drug.

Pregnancy care

It is best to avoid pregnancy during treat with this drug. Studies in pets have found that methoxsalen causes birth defects and death of the fetus. Be sure you have discussed this with your family doctor before starting treats with this drug. Always tell your family doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while receiving this drug.

Breast-feeding problem

It is not known whether methoxsalen passes into breast milk. Mothers who are receiving this drug and who wish to breast-feed must discuss this with their family doctor.

Use for Children

Studies on this drug have been done only in adult diseaseds and there is no special info comparing use of methoxsalen in child with use in other age groups.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people or if they cause various side effects or problems in elderly people. There is no special info comparing use of methoxsalen in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving methoxsalen, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Anthralin - Drithocreme
Bacteriostatic soaps
Certain organic dyes - such as methylene blue, methyl orange, rose bengal and toluidine blue
Coal tar or drug made from coal tar - Alphosyl
Griseofulvin - Fulvicin-U/F
Nalidixic acid - NegGram
Phenothiazines - acetophenazine " Tindel ", chlorpromazine " Thorazine ", fluphenazine " Prolixin ", mesoridazine " Serentil ", methotrimeprazine " Nozinan ", pericyazine " Neuleptil ", perphenazine " Trilafon ", pipotiazine " Piportil L₄ ", prochlorperazine " Compazine ", promazine " Primazine ", thiopropazate " Dartal ", thioproperazine " Majeptil ", thioridazine " Mellaril ", trifluoperazine " Stelazine ", triflupromazine " Vesprin "
Sulfonamides - sulfa drug
Tetracyclines - drug for infection
Thiazide diuretics - water pills May increase sensitivity to light

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of methoxsalen. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Albinism - pigment lacking in the skin, hair and eyes, or eyes only
Erythropoietic protoporphyria
Lupus erythematosus
Porphyria cutanea tarda
Skin cancer
Variegate porphyria
Xeroderma pigmentosum Methoxsalen treat may make condition worse

Eye problems, such as cataracts or loss of the lens of the eye Methoxsalen and light treat may make these conditions worse or may cause damage to the eye