Methoxsalen, Oral meth-OKS-a-len

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: psoralen

Generic and brand names: methoxsalen, oral; Oxsoralen-Ultra, 8-MOP, oral

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat:

• psoriasis (a disease that turns patches of skin red and scaly)
• vitiligo (a disease that turns patches of skin smooth and white)
• cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma (skin cancer) in people who have not responded to other treatment

It is used along with ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergy to any medicine or to sunlight
• albinism
• eye problems such as aphakia (loss of the lens of the eye) or cataracts
• heart or liver disease
• skin cancer
• skin diseases that make your skin sensitive to light

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had arsenic therapy, radiation treatment, or X-rays. You may be more sensitive to this treatment.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while you are taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

The medicine that you take by mouth comes in two kinds of capsules: 8-MOP are hard capsules and Oxsoralen-Ultra are soft capsules. These are not the same and have different effects. Do not switch brands without your healthcare provider’s approval. Be sure you understand which form of this medicine you should take.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed.

Be sure you understand how many capsules you must take and how soon you should take the medicine before each UV treatment. If you do not take this medicine at the correct time, tell your healthcare right away.

You may take this medicine with lowfat food or milk. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions exactly. If you do not understand any part of this treatment, ask your healthcare provider to explain.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, severe skin burns.

What should I watch out for?

This is a very powerful medicine and treatment. Serious burns can result if this medicine is not used properly, or if you are overexposed to ultraviolet light, including sunlight. Do not use a sunlamp or tanning beds or booths.

Avoid exposure to the sun, even on a cloudy day or through windows, for at least 24 hours before and 48 hours after treatment or as instructed by your healthcare provider. If you cannot avoid sun exposure, wear protective clothing, such as a hat and gloves, and sunscreen lotion of at least SPF 30 on all exposed skin, including your lips. Your healthcare provider may instruct you to not use sunscreen on areas of your skin that are to be treated. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Wear wrap-around ultraviolet sunglasses during daylight for at least 24 hours after treatment. Wear these glasses any time you are exposed to direct or indirect sunlight, whether you are outdoors or exposed through a window. This is very important to protect your eyes from cataracts. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

You will need to have lab tests and eye exams regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious: Report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe burns, severe blistering and peeling of the skin, swelling in your feet and legs, vision problems.

Other: Nausea, itching, rash, nervousness, trouble sleeping, depression, dizziness, skin redness, leg cramps, headache.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking or using:

• alosetron (Lotronex)
• anthralin (Dritho-Scalp, Drithocreme)
• antibacterial soaps
• antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin, (Floxin), tetracycline, demeclocycline, doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin), and minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin, Solodyn)
• coal tar products such as coal tar bath solution, shampoos, and lotions
• antidepressants such as clomipramine, duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluvoxamine (Luvox CR), and mirtazapine (Remeron),
• antipsychotic medicines such as asenapine (Saphris), clozapine (Clozaril), olanzapine (Zyprexa), pimozide (Orap), and thiothixene (Navane)
• beta blockers such as betaxolol (Kerlone) and propranolol (Inderal LA)
• bronchodilators such as aminophylline and theophylline
• griseofulvin (Grifulvin V, Gris-Peg)
• medicines to treat Parkinson's disease such as rasagiline (Azilect) and ropinirole (Requip)
• mexiletine
• muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) and tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• ramelteon (Rozerem)
• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine, promethazine (Phenergan), and trifluoperazine
• sulfa drugs such as sulfadiazine, sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)
• thiazide diuretics (water pills) such as chlorthalidone, chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), and methyclothiazide

Avoid foods such as carrots, celery, cloves, figs, limes, lemons, mustard, parsley, and parsnips while you are taking this medicine. They may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.