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| Pronunciation |
|
 (meth
OKS a
len) |
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| Brand Names |
|
| 8-MOP®; Oxsoralen® Topical;
Oxsoralen-Ultra®; Uvadex® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Ultramop™
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Psoralen |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Terrible burns can occur if not used correctly. Follow your
healthcare provider's directions closely. The lotion should only be applied by a
healthcare provider.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to methoxsalen or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Cataracts, squamous cell
cancer, burn easily.
- Do not give to children less than 12 years of
age.
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|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used to treat white patches of skin called vitiligo,
increase tolerance to sunlight, or enhance pigmentation of skin. Talk to
healthcare provider for more
details.
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| How does it work? |
|
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- Normal skin color is due to melanocytes in the skin. Methoxsalen
increases the melanin in the exposed
skin.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take 2 hours before timed periods of exposure to UV light.
- Take with food.
|
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Wear sunglasses during exposure and protect lips with lipstick that
contains sunscreen.
- Do not go over exposure time. You can develop a serious burn.
- Use sunscreen and protective clothing after exposure time is over.
Talk with healthcare provider.
- Exposure to sun or UV rays may age skin more quickly.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control you
can trust while taking this medicine.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Sunburn or blisters. Follow directions closely about skin and eye
protection.
- Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy,
or chewing gum may help.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Burning, blistering, or skin irritation.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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