Description
What is Methoxsalen 10mg Tablets Melanocyl®
Melanocyl Tablet Methoxsalen 10mg is a medicine used along with controlled ultraviolet light for effective treatment of certain skin diseases like vitiligo and psoriasis. Melanocyl Tablet is taken after meals in a dose and duration as advised by the doctor. Taking with food helps to increase the absorption of the medication as well as decreases nausea. The dose you are given will depend on your condition and how you respond to the medicine. You should keep taking this medicine for as long as your doctor recommends. If you stop treatment too early your symptoms may come back and your condition may worsen. Let your doctor know about all other medications you are taking as some may affect, or be affected by this medicine.
The most common side effects of Melanocyl Tablet Methoxsalen 10mg are nausea, itching, and redness of the skin. Most of these are temporary and usually resolve with time. Contact your doctor straight away if you are at all concerned about any of these side effects. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it can make dizziness worse.
Taking this medicine makes the skin more sensitive to the sun. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Try to avoid exposure of your skin and lips to sunlight for eight hours after treatment.
Methoxsalen (also called xanthotoxin, marketed under the trade names Oxsoralen, Deltasoralen, Meladinine) is a drug used to treat psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, and some cutaneous lymphomas in conjunction with exposing the skin to UVA light from lamps or sunlight. Methoxsalen modifies the way skin cells receive the UVA radiation, allegedly clearing up the disease. The dosage comes in 10 mg tablets, which are taken in the amount of 30 mg 75 minutes before a PUVA (psoralen + UVA) light treatment. Levels of individual patient PUVA exposure were originally determined using the Fitzpatrick scale. The scale was developed after patients demonstrated symptoms of phototoxicity after oral ingestion of Methoxsalen followed by PUVA therapy. Chemically, methoxsalen belongs to a class of organic natural molecules known as furanocoumarins. They consist of coumarin annulated with furan. It can also be used topically.
Brand Names: Oxsoralen, Deltasoralen, Meladinine
How to use Methoxsalen 10mg Tablets Melanocyl®
Melanocyl (Methoxsalen 10mg) should be used as prescribed and instructed by a doctor. The correct dosage and prescription commonly depend on the patient and the condition being treated. Do not adjust your dosage without the approval of your health care provider. To prevent an upset stomach, it is advised to take the tablets with some low-fat foods or a glass of milk along with a full glass of water. Contact a doctor for the correct dosage and length of treatment as it will depend on the patient`s weight, condition and their response to the therapy. Do not apply sunscreen to areas of the skin affected by psoriasis or vitiligo until after the UVA light treatment.
Side effects of Methoxsalen 10mg Tablets Melanocyl®
Patients using Melanocyl (Methoxsalen) may encounter unwanted side effects such as: Nausea, Insomnia, Itching, drying, reddening or darkening of the skin, Skin thinning, Dizziness, Leg cramps, Vision changes, Mental or mood changes. Contact a doctor immediately should side effects persist or worsen.
Precautions when using Methoxsalen 10mg Tablets Melanocyl®
Always wear wrap-around sunglasses that block out UVA light for at least 8 hours after taking the medication and 24 hours after UVA treatment. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen SPF 15 or higher when you are outdoors. It is important to remember not to sunbathe for 48 hours after having the UVA light treatment.
Melanocyl (Methoxsalen 10mg) is not always suitable for all patients. Always consult your health care provider prior to using this medication if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, using any other medication (prescription or non-prescription), using any herbal products or supplements, or if you have any allergies or other health problems.
Melanocyl 10mg Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor. Melanocyl Tablet should be used with caution during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should be held until the treatment of the mother is completed and the drug is eliminated from her body.
Immediately proceed to your nearest emergency department if you suffer an allergic reaction. Symptoms usually associated with such a reaction include difficulty breathing or swallowing, chest tightness, swelling, skin rashes, and hives.
