Methoxsalen Side Effects

Serious Side Effects of Methoxsalen

• UVA light entering the eyes may lead to cataracts as Methoxsalen binds to the eye lens. Wear sunglasses that wrap-around the eyes to prevent any UVA light from getting to your eyes.
• If you experience swelling of the lower legs, blistering, peeling, or sore skin, contact your doctor immediately.
• Methoxsalen use can increase our risk of getting skin cancer. Monitor yourself for sores that wont heal and new or changed (by look or feel) growths on your skin.

Common Side Effects of Methoxsalen

• Avoid sunlight for at least eight hours following a Methoxsalen dose. Too much UVA light can cause sunburns on the newly sensitive skin. If you must be in the sun, wear sunscreen and clothing that will protect your skin from the sun.
• Your skin may become slightly irritated (itchiness, reddening) after a Methoxsalen/UVA treatment.
• Methoxsalen may cause dizziness, headaches, depression, nervousness, and insomnia. These side effects are less common.
• Extended use of this medication may result in accelerated aging of the skin. This is not unlike what happens to frequent sunbathers.

Warnings & Recalls for Methoxsalen

Methoxsalen Black Box Warnings

• UV radiation with Methoxsalen treatments should only be administered by specialized clinicians who can diagnose and treat psoriasis. These physicians should have previous experience with photochemotherapy.
• Photochemotherapy should be reserved for patients suffering from severe psoriasis that has not responded properly to other treatments.
• Using Methoxsalen may increase the risk of damage to the eye, accelerated skin aging, and skin cancer.
• Different formulations of Methoxsalen do not affect the body in the same ways. Do not substitute one formulation for another without speaking to your doctor about an adjustment in dosage.

Methoxsalen Warnings

• Do not sunbathe for at least a day prior to and two days after Methoxsalen and UVA light treatments. Doing so increases your risk for severe skin burns.
• Speak to your doctor about any history of allergy/sensitivity to light, skin cancer, cataracts,removal of eye lenses, radiation/arsenic treatments or liver/kidney/heart disease.
• You should not receive these treatments if you are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding an infant.

Methoxsalen Treatment and Use

Methoxsalen | Oxsoralen-Ultra is used to manage moderate to severe forms of psoriasis. It is combined with UVA light treatments to rid or improve symptoms of psoriasis for long periods of time. This medication also serves as a medication to bring back color tone in patients with other skin ailments such as vitiligo. Your doctor may also approve Methoxsalen to treat other medical conditions not on the prescription label, such as eczema.

How does Methoxsalen work?

Methoxsalen is a natural substance found in Ammi majus seeds and Heracleum Candicans roots. This compound is a photoactive substance and belongs in the psoralen group of medications. In the human body, it increases  the sensitivity of the skin to UVA light. In turn, production of melanocytes (cells that create skin pigmentation) is increased.

Methoxsalen Dosage Information

Doses are dependent on your body weight, overall condition, and previous treatment response. This also applies to the length of your UVA light treatment. Initial treatments may be scheduled as often as four times in a week.

Methoxsalen  should be taken two to four hours prior to a UVA light treatment. When taken with food or milk, the body absorbs the medication easier and nausea is reduced.

Other Names for Methoxsalen

• Oxsoralen-Ultra (oral)


• 8-Mop (oral)


• Deltasoralen (injection solution)


• Meladinine (cream)


• Uvadex (injection solution)

• Methoxsalen


• Xanthotoxin

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Methoxsalen