Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: METHOXSALEN versus OXSORALEN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: METHOXSALEN versus OXSORALEN.
METHOXSALEN vs OXSORALEN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Methoxsalen is a psoralen that intercalates DNA, and upon UVA activation, forms covalent cross-links with pyrimidine bases, inhibiting DNA synthesis and cell division.
Psoralen intercalates into DNA and upon UVA exposure forms covalent crosslinks between pyrimidine bases, inhibiting DNA synthesis and cell proliferation.
Oral: 0.4–0.6 mg/kg taken 1.5–2 hours before UVA exposure; typical dose range 10–70 mg. Topical: 0.1% lotion applied 1 hour before UVA.
0.6 mg/kg orally once daily, 2 hours before UV-A exposure, or 0.4 mg/kg orally 2 hours before psoralen plus UV-A (PUVA) therapy. For topical use, a 1% lotion is applied 2 hours prior to UV-A exposure.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateMethoxsalen + Verteporfin
"Methoxsalen may increase the photosensitizing activities of Verteporfin."
Clinical Note
moderateMethoxsalen + Artesunate
"The serum concentration of the active metabolites of Artesunate can be reduced when Artesunate is used in combination with Methoxsalen resulting in a loss in efficacy."
Clinical Note
moderateMethoxsalen + Sulfisoxazole
"The metabolism of Sulfisoxazole can be decreased when combined with Methoxsalen."
Clinical Note
moderate2 hours (range 1-3 h); terminal half-life is 2 h after oral administration; no accumulation with once-daily dosing
Approximately 2-5 hours for parent drug; clinical effect persists longer due to epidermal DNA binding.
Renal: 95% as metabolites (glucuronides); fecal: 4%; <0.1% unchanged in urine
Primarily hepatic metabolism; less than 5% excreted unchanged in urine. Biliary/fecal elimination accounts for the majority of metabolites, though exact percentage not well defined.
Category D/X
Category C
Psoralen
Psoralen
Methoxsalen + Erythromycin
"The metabolism of Erythromycin can be decreased when combined with Methoxsalen."