Oxsoralen

Oxsoralen - General Information

A naturally occurring furocoumarin compound found in several species of plants, including Psoralea corylifolia. It is a photoactive substance that forms DNA adducts in the presence of ultraviolet A irradiation. [PubChem]

Pharmacology of Oxsoralen

Oxsoralen selectively inhibits the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The guanine and cytosine content correlates with the degree of Oxsoralen-induced cross-linking. At high concentrations of the drug, cellular RNA and protein synthesis are also suppressed.

Oxsoralen for patients

Patients should be told emphatically to wear UVA-absorbing, wrap-around sunglasses and cover exposed skin or use a sunblock (SP 15 or higher) for the twenty-four (24) hour period following treatment with methoxsalen, whether exposed to direct or indirect sunlight in the open or through a window glass.

Oxsoralen Interactions

Concomitant Therapy

Special care should be exercised in treating patients who are receiving concomitant therapy (either topically or systemically) with known photosensitizing agents such as anthralin, coal tar or coal tar derivatives, griseofulvin, phenothiazines, nalidixic acid, halogenated salicylanilides (bacteriostatic soaps), sulfonamides, tetracyclines, thiazides, and certain organic staining dyes such as methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose bengal and methyl orange.

Oxsoralen Contraindications

Photosensitivity

UVADEX^Ò (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution is contraindicated in patients exhibiting idiosyncratic reactions to psoralen compounds. Patients possessing a specific history of a light sensitive disease state should not initiate methoxsalen therapy. Diseases associated with photosensitivity include lupus erythematosus, porphyria cutanea tarda, erythropoietic protoporphyria, variegate porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum and albinism.

UVADEX^Ò Sterile Solution is contraindicated in patients with aphakia, because of the significantly increased risk of retinal damage due to the absence of lenses.

Additional information about Oxsoralen

Oxsoralen Indication: For the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo
Mechanism Of Action: After activation it binds preferentially to the guanine and cytosine moieties of DNA, leading to cross-linking of DNA, thus inhibiting DNA synthesis and function.
Drug Interactions: Ethotoin The hydantoin decreases the effect of psoralene
Fosphenytoin The hydantoin decreases the effect of psoralene
Mephenytoin The hydantoin decreases the effect of psoralene
Phenytoin The hydantoin decreases the effect of psoralene
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: Methoxsalen
Synonyms: Not Available
Drug Category: Antineoplastic Agents; Pigmenting Agents
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved

Other Brand Names containing Methoxsalen: Ammodin; Ammoidin; Meladinin; Meladinine; Meladoxen; Meloxine; Methoxa-Dome; Methoxalen; Methoxaten; New-Meladinin; Oxoralen; Oxsoralen; Oxsoralen Lotion; Oxsoralen-Ultra; Oxypsoralen; Proralone-Mop; Psoralen-Mop; Puvalen; Puvamet; Ultra Mop; Ultramop Lotion; Uvadex; Xanthotoxin; Xanthotoxine; Xanthoxin; Zanthotoxin;
Absorption: Not Available
Toxicity (Overdose): Not Available
Protein Binding: Not Available
Biotransformation: Not Available
Half Life: Approximately 2 hours
Dosage Forms of Oxsoralen: Liquid Topical
Lotion Topical
Capsule Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name: 9-methoxyfuro[3,2-g]chromen-7-one
Chemical Formula: C12H8O4
Methoxsalen on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methoxsalen
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals