Trioxsalen (Systemic)

Brand Names : Trisoralen, trioxysalen

Before Using This Medicine

Trioxsalen is a very strong medicine that increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. In addition to causing serious sunburns if not properly used, it has been reported to increase the chance of skin cancer and cataracts. Also, like too much sunlight, PUVA can cause premature aging of the skin. Therefore, trioxsalen should be used only as directed and it should not be used simply for suntanning. Before using this medicine, be sure that you have discussed its use with your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For trioxsalen, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to trioxsalen. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding - Trioxsalen has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children - Although there is no specific information comparing use of trioxsalen in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of trioxsalen in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of trioxsalen. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to sunlight (family history of) or
• Lupus erythematosus or
• Porphyria or
• Other conditions that make you more sensitive to light - This medicine will make the condition worse

• Eye problems, such as cataracts or loss of the lens of the eyes - Use of this medicine may make your cataracts or other eye problems worse; having no lens in your eye may increase the side effects of this medicine

• Heart or blood vessel disease (severe) - The heat from the light treatment may make the condition worse

• Infection or
• Stomach problems - Use of this medicine may make the condition worse

• Melanoma or other skin cancer (history of) or
• Recent treatment with x-rays or cancer medicines or plans to have x-rays in the near future - May increase your chance of skin cancer