Last update Sept. 17, 2022

Methoxsalen

Limited compatibility

Unsafe. Moderate/severe adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Use safer alternative or discontinue breastfeeding from 5 to 7 T ½ . Read Commentary.

Methoxsalen is a furocoumarin obtained from various plants with photosensitizing properties that is used to treat psoriasis, vitiligo and T-cell lymphomas such as mycosis fungoides. It is given orally or applied topically in PUVA (Psoralen plus ultraviolet A light phototherapy) regimens.

Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breastmilk.

Its high percentage of protein binding make it highly unlikely that significant quantities will pass into breast milk.

It is inactive after oral or topical administration unless combined with long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA) irradiation. (Wolff 1986)

Expert authors consider it to be moderately compatible with breastfeeding provided that breastfeeding is stopped for 24 hours after an oral dose (withdraw and discard while) and, in topical use, avoiding contact of the infant with the mother's treated skin. (Butler 2014, Minder 2010)


See below the information of this related product:

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Methoxsalen.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Methoxsalen is also known as


Methoxsalen in other languages or writings:

Group

Methoxsalen belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Methoxsalen in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 90 %
Molecular weight 216 daltons
Protein Binding 90 %
Tmax 1 - 3 hours
T½ 2.4 hours

References

  1. Butler DC, Heller MM, Murase JE. Safety of dermatologic medications in pregnancy and lactation: Part II. Lactation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Mar;70(3):417.e1-10; quiz 427. Abstract
  2. Menter A, Korman NJ, Elmets CA, Feldman SR, Gelfand JM, Gordon KB, Gottlieb A, Koo JYM, Lebwohl M, Lim HW, Van Voorhees AS, Beutner KR, Bhushan R. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Section 5. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy and photochemotherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Jan;62(1):114-135. Abstract
  3. de Wolff FA, Thomas TV. Clinical pharmacokinetics of methoxsalen and other psoralens. Clin Pharmacokinet. 1986 Jan-Feb;11(1):62-75. Review. Abstract

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