Oxsoralen

Oxsoralen Product Description

This medicine is used in patients over 12 years of age with ultraviolet radiation to treat severe psoriasis and for loss of skin pigment. It also is used with ultraviolet radiation of white blood cells to prevent and treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It is only used with a schedule of controlled dosage of long wave ultraviolet radiation.Store between 59 and 86 degrees F.How much medicine you are given and how often it is given depends on many factors, including the condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are given, talk with your health care provider. If stomach upset occurs, take this medicine with food or milk or take in 2 divided doses 30 minutes apart. Before use - Do not sunbathe during the 24 hours before use and ultraviolet exposure. After use - Wear UVA-absorbing, wraparound sunglasses during daylight for 24 hours to prevent cataracts. The protective eyewear must prevent entry of stray radiation to the eyes, including from the sides. Avoid sun exposure, even through window glass or cloud cover, for at least 8 hours after taking this medicine. If sun exposure cannot be avoided, wear protective clothes (eg, hat and gloves), or apply sunscreens that filter out UVA (eg, sunscreens with SPF of at least 15). Do not apply sunscreen to areas affected by psoriasis until after treatment in the UVA chamber. Do not sunbathe for 48 hours after therapy. During PUVA therapy - Wear total UVA absorbing/blocking goggles designed for maximal protection. Failure may increase the risk of cataracts. Protect abdominal skin, breasts, genitals, and other sensitive areas for approximately one-third of the exposure time until tanning occurs. *Unless affected by disease, male genitals should be shielded. Do not exceed dosage or exposure time. Serious burns may result. This medicine should be used with extreme caution with photosensitizing (light-sensitizing) medicines. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications: Anthralin, bacteriostatic medicines, coal tar and derivatives, dyes (methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose bengal, methyl orange), griseofulvin, nalidixic acid, phenothiazines, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, or thiazide diuretics. Avoid furocoumarin-containing foods (eg, limes, figs, parsley, celery, carrots). This medicine may cause dizziness. Use caution while driving or performing tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity. You should have an eye exam before taking this medicine. Lab test may be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments. Do not take any over-the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements without talking with your health care provider. Patients with other medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before taking this medicine.Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine you are allergic to tartrazine dye you have a light-sensitive disease, including lupus erythematosus, porphyria cutanea tarda, erythropoietic protoporphyria, varegate porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, and albinism you have an absence of the lens of the eye you sunburn easily you have or have a history of melanoma you have a history of skin cancerBefore using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription medicine or dietary supplements if you have basal cell cancer if you have heart disease if you have liver disease if you have had arsenic or radiation therapy if you have any other medical conditionThis medicine, with radiation, can cause serious damage to eyes and skin, including skin cancer. It should be used only under the supervision of a doctor familiar with this therapy. Do not switch brands of medicine without talking to your doctor.Most severe:ÿ Burns.Most common:ÿ Loss of skin color; rash; herpes; hives; skin tenderness; nausea; stomach upset; nervousness; sleeplessness; depression; dizziness; headache; fluid retention; leg cramps; itching; acne; psoriasis.Other: Nervousness, insomnia or depression.

How should Oxsoralen be stored?

Store between 59 and 86 degrees F.

How should I take Oxsoralen?

How much medicine you are given and how often it is given depends on many factors, including the condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are given, talk with your health care provider. If stomach upset occurs, take this medicine with food or milk or take in 2 divided doses 30 minutes apart. Before use - Do not sunbathe during the 24 hours before use and ultraviolet exposure. After use - Wear UVA-absorbing, wraparound sunglasses during daylight for 24 hours to prevent cataracts. The protective eyewear must prevent entry of stray radiation to the eyes, including from the sides. Avoid sun exposure, even through window glass or cloud cover, for at least 8 hours after taking this medicine. If sun exposure cannot be avoided, wear protective clothes (eg, hat and gloves), or apply sunscreens that filter out UVA (eg, sunscreens with SPF of at least 15). Do not apply sunscreen to areas affected by psoriasis until after treatment in the UVA chamber. Do not sunbathe for 48 hours after therapy. During PUVA therapy - Wear total UVA absorbing/blocking goggles designed for maximal protection. Failure may increase the risk of cataracts. Protect abdominal skin, breasts, genitals, and other sensitive areas for approximately one-third of the exposure time until tanning occurs. *Unless affected by disease, male genitals should be shielded. Do not exceed dosage or exposure time. Serious burns may result. This medicine should be used with extreme caution with photosensitizing (light-sensitizing) medicines. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications: Anthralin, bacteriostatic medicines, coal tar and derivatives, dyes (methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose bengal, methyl orange), griseofulvin, nalidixic acid, phenothiazines, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, or thiazide diuretics. Avoid furocoumarin-containing foods (eg, limes, figs, parsley, celery, carrots). This medicine may cause dizziness. Use caution while driving or performing tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity. You should have an eye exam before taking this medicine. Lab test may be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments. Do not take any over-the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements without talking with your health care provider. Patients with other medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before taking this medicine.

When should Oxsoralen not be taken?

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine you are allergic to tartrazine dye you have a light-sensitive disease, including lupus erythematosus, porphyria cutanea tarda, erythropoietic protoporphyria, varegate porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, and albinism you have an absence of the lens of the eye you sunburn easily you have or have a history of melanoma you have a history of skin cancer

What precautions should I follow when taking Oxsoralen?

Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription medicine or dietary supplements if you have basal cell cancer if you have heart disease if you have liver disease if you have had arsenic or radiation therapy if you have any other medical condition

What special warning(s) should I be aware of when taking Oxsoralen?

This medicine, with radiation, can cause serious damage to eyes and skin, including skin cancer. It should be used only under the supervision of a doctor familiar with this therapy. Do not switch brands of medicine without talking to your doctor.

What are the side effects of Oxsoralen?

Most severe:ÿ Burns.

Most common:ÿ Loss of skin color; rash; herpes; hives; skin tenderness; nausea; stomach upset; nervousness; sleeplessness; depression; dizziness; headache; fluid retention; leg cramps; itching; acne; psoriasis.

Other: Nervousness, insomnia or depression.