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8-MOP

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8-MOP® CAPSULES
(methoxsalen) Capsules, USP, 10 mg

CAUTION: METHOXSALEN IS A POTENT DRUG. READ ENTIRE BROCHURE PRIOR TO PRESCRIBING OR DISPENSING THIS MEDICATION.

Methoxsalen with UV radiation should be used only by physicians who have special competence in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo and who have special training and experience in photo chemotherapy. Psoralen and ultraviolet radiation therapy should be under constant supervision of such a physician. For the treatment of patients with psoriasis, photo chemotherapy should be restricted to patients with severe, recalcitrant, disabling psoriasis which is not adequately responsive to other forms of therapy, and only when the diagnosis is certain. Because of the possibilities of ocular damage, aging of the skin, and skin cancer (including melanoma), the patient should be fully informed by the physician of the risks inherent in this therapy. When methoxsalen is used in combination with photopheresis, refer to the UVAR* System Operator's Manual for specific warnings, cautions, indications, and instructions related to photopheresis.

CAUTION: 8-MOP® Capsules (Methoxsalen Hard Gelatin Capsules) may not be interchanged with Oxsoralen-Ultra®Capsules (Methoxsalen Soft Gelatin Capsules) without retitration of the patient.

DRUG DESCRIPTION

8-MOP (Methoxsalen, 8-Methoxypsoralen) Capsules, 10 mg. Methoxsalen is a naturally occurring photoactive substance found in the seeds of the Ammi majus (Umbelliferae) plant and in the roots of Heraclem Candicans. It belongs to a group of compounds known as psoralens, or furocoumarins. The chemical name of methoxsalen is 9-methoxy-7 H-furo[3, 2-g][1]-benzopyran-7-one; it has the following structure:

8-MOP (Methoxsalen, 8-Methoxypsoralen) Structural Formula Illustration

What are the possible side effects of methoxsalen (8-Mop, Oxsoralen-Ultra)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Methoxsalen is expected to produce skin redness that may not occur until several hours after your UVA treatment. This redness may last for 2 or 3 days. You may also have slight swelling. These are normal effects of the medication and UVA treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

  • severe skin redness within 24...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of 8-MOP »

What are the precautions when taking methoxypsoralen (8-MOP)?

Before taking methoxsalen, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: conditions that make you sensitive to light (such as lupus, certain porphyrias, xeroderma pigmentosum, albinism), skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas), removal of natural lens in the eye, coal tar/UVB treatment, radiation treatment, arsenic treatment, cataracts, liver disease, heart disease, kidney disease.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use...

Read All Potential Precautions of 8-MOP »

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/15/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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