Trioxsalen (Systemic)

Brand Names : Trisoralen, trioxysalen

Proper Use of This Medicine

This medicine may take several weeks or months to help your condition. Do not increase the amount of trioxsalen you are taking or spend extra time in the sunlight or under an ultraviolet lamp . This will not make the medicine act any more quickly and may result in a serious burn.

If this medicine upsets your stomach, it may be taken with meals or milk.

Dosing - The dose of trioxsalen will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of trioxsalen. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking trioxsalen .

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For vitiligo:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and over - 20 to 40 milligrams (mg) taken two to four hours before ultraviolet light A (UVA) exposure. This treatment (trioxsalen and UVA) is given two or three times a week with the treatments spaced at least forty-eight hours apart.
    • Children up to 12 years of age - Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For increasing tolerance to sunlight or increasing color of the skin:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and over - 20 to 40 mg taken two hours before ultraviolet light A (UVA) exposure. This treatment (trioxsalen and UVA) is given two or three times a week with the treatments spaced at least forty-eight hours apart.
    • Children up to 12 years of age - Dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you are late in taking, or miss taking, a dose of this medicine, notify your doctor so your light treatment can be rescheduled. Remember that exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light must take place 2 to 4 hours after you take the medicine or it will not work. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.