Methoxsalen
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Methoxsalen
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| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
| ? | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 298-81-7 |
| ATC code | D05AD02 D05BA02 |
| PubChem | 4114 |
| DrugBank | APRD00157 |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C12H8O4 |
| Mol. weight | 216.19 g/mol |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | ? |
| Metabolism | ? |
| Half life | ~2 hours |
| Excretion | ? |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
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| Legal status | |
| Routes | ? |
Methoxsalen (8-MOP, 8-Methoxypsoralen) (marketed under the trade name Oxsoralen) is a drug used to treat psoriasis in conjunction with exposing the skin to sunlight. Methoxsalen modifies the way skin cells receive the UVA radiation, allegedly clearing up the disease. The dosage comes in 10mg tablets, which are taken in the amount of 30mg 75 minutes before a PUVA light treatment.
Patients with high blood pressure or a history of liver problems are at risk for inflammation and irreparable damage to both liver and skin. The eyes must be protected from UVA radiation. Side effects include nausea, headaches, dizziness, and in rare cases insomnia.
Methoxsalen is a naturally occurring photoactive substance found in the seeds of the Ammi majus (Umbelliferae) plant and in the roots of Heraclem Candicans. It belongs to a group of compounds known as psoralens, or furocoumarins. The chemical name of methoxsalen is 9-methoxy-7 H-furo[3, 2-g][1]-benzopyran-7-one.
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[edit] Pharmacology
The combination treatment regimen of psoralen (P) and ultraviolet radiation of 320–400 nm wavelength commonly referred to as UVA is known by the acronym, PUVA. Skin reactivity to UVA (320–400 nm) radiation is markedly enhanced by the ingestion of 8-MOP (Methoxsalen).
[edit] Indications and Usage
- Photochemotherapy (Methoxsalen with long wave UVA radiation) is indicated for the symptomatic control of severe, recalcitrant, disabling psoriasis not adequately responsive to other forms of therapy and when the diagnosis has been supported by biopsy. Photochemotherapy is intended to be administered only in conjunction with a schedule of controlled doses of long wave ultraviolet radiation.
- Photochemotherapy (Methoxsalen with long wave ultraviolet radiation) is indicated for the repigmentation of idiopathic vitiligo.
- Photopheresis (Methoxsalen with long wave ultraviolet radiation of white blood cells) is indicated for use with the UVAR* System in the palliative treatment of the skin manifestations of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in persons who have not been responsive to other forms of treatment. While this dosage form of methoxsalen has been approved for use in combination with photopheresis, Oxsoralen Ultra. Capsules have not been approved for that use.
[edit] Contraindications
- Patients exhibiting idiosyncratic reactions to psoralen compounds.
- Patients possessing a specific history of light sensitive disease states should not initiate methoxsalen therapy. Diseases associated with photosensitivity include lupus erythematosus, porphyria cutanea tarda, erythropoietic protoporphyria, variegate porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, and albinism.
- Patients exhibiting melanoma or possessing a history of melanoma.
- Patients exhibiting invasive squamous cell carcinomas.
- Patients with aphakia, because of the significantly increased risk of retinal damage due to the absence of lenses.
