Uvadex Side Effects

Generic name: methoxsalen

Note: This document contains side effect information about methoxsalen. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Uvadex.

Some side effects of Uvadex may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to methoxsalen: oral capsule

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking methoxsalen (the active ingredient contained in Uvadex) 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 hours after UVA treatment;

• severe itching, swelling, or severe skin discomfort;

• blisters, pimples, or skin rash;

• blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing "halos" around lights;

• feeling like you might pass out; or

• worsening of your psoriasis.

Less serious side effects of methoxsalen may include:

• mild skin redness, itching, or tenderness;

• nausea;

• depressed mood;

• feeling nervous;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• cold sores;

• headache, dizziness; or

• leg pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to methoxsalen: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral capsule

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included mild to serious skin burns, premature aging of the skin, pruritus, inflammation, erythema, rash (nonspecific), edema, extension of psoriasis, cutaneous tenderness, hypopigmentation, keratosis, folliculitis, dermal vessel damage, longer duration of epidermal and dermal abnormalities, miliaria, urticaria, vesiculation formation, and bullae formation.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects are mostly associated with methoxsalen (the active ingredient contained in Uvadex) sterile solution and have included arrhythmia and serious (nonspecific) cardiovascular adverse experiences. Hypotension and dizziness have been associated with the sterile solution and the oral administration of methoxsalen.

Immunologic

Immunologic side effects associated with the sterile solution have included infections (nonspecific) and hickman catheter infections. Immunologic side effect with oral administration of methoxsalen (the active ingredient contained in Uvadex) has been herpes simplex.

Oncologic

Oncologic side effects have included cutaneous squamous cell cancers, malignant melanoma, and basal cell carcinoma.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included depression.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included unspecified gastrointestinal disturbances.

General

General side effects have included malaise and headache.

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included cataracts.

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