Oxsoralen

Generic name:methoxsalen
Dosage form: lotion
Drug classes:Topical antipsoriatics, Topical photochemotherapeutics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 22, 2022.

Rx Only

CAUTION

METHOXSALEN LOTION IS A POTENT TOPICAL DRUG. READ ENTIRE BROCHURE BEFORE PRESCRIBING OR USING THIS MEDICATION.

Warning

METHOXSALEN LOTION IS A POTENT DRUG CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SEVERE BURNS IF IMPROPERLY USED. IT SHOULD BE APPLIED ONLY BY A PHYSICIAN UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS FOR LIGHT EXPOSURE AND SUBSEQUENT LIGHT SHIELDING. THIS PREPARATION SHOULD NEVER BE DISPENSED TO A PATIENT.

I. DESCRIPTION

Oxsoralen Lotion is a clear, colorless to straw colored liquid with an odor of acetone. Each ml. of Oxsoralen Lotion contains 10 mg. methoxsalen in an inert vehicle containing alcohol (71% v/v), propylene glycol, acetone, and purified water.

Methoxsalen occurs as white to pale yellow crystals and can be obtained naturally from seeds of Ammi majus and roots of Heracleum Candicans or through synthesis. Methoxsalen is practically insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in ether, soluble in ether, soluble in acetone and acetic acid, freely soluble in chloroform. The chemical name of methoxsalen is 9-methoxy-7H-furo (3, 2g) (1)-benzopyran-7-one; its empirical formula is C12H804 andthe molecular weight is 216.19. The structural formula is:

II. CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

The exact mechanism of action of methoxsalen with the epidermal melanocytes and keratinocytes is not known. Psoralens given orally are preferentially taken up by epidermal cells (Artuc et al, 1979)1. The best known biochemical reaction of methoxsalen is with DNA. Methoxsalen, upon photoactivation, conjugates and forms covalent bonds with DNA which leads to the fo...