Can you take Alitretinoin topical with Methoxsalen?
1 drug interaction and 10 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- alitretinoin topical
- methoxsalen
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
methoxsalen alitretinoin topical
Applies to: methoxsalen and alitretinoin topical
Methoxsalen sensitizes your skin to sunlight, and combining it with other medications that can also have this effect (i.E., photosensitivity) such as alitretinoin topical may increase the risk of a severe sunburn. Check with your doctor to see if you should temporarily withhold any of your medications before and after treatment with methoxsalen. Following treatment, you should avoid exposure of the eyes and skin to sunlight or artificial UV rays (e.G., sunlamps or tanning beds ) for at least 24 hours. If sun exposure is unavoidable, you should use suitable covering (e.G., hat and gloves, long-sleeved clothing) or a topical sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher), along with wrap-around UVA- absorbing sunglasses to prevent cataracts, for the 24 hour period following treatment, whether exposed to direct or indirect sunlight in the open or through a window glass. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
methoxsalen Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: methoxsalen
Methoxsalen should be administered with food or milk. This may make it easier for your body to tolerate the medication. Avoid eating or coming in contact with limes, figs, parsley, parsnips, rue (Ruta graveolens), mustard, carrots and celery. This can increase the risk of photosensitivity and cause your skin to burn more easily. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Methoxsalen make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen if you must be in the sun. Call your doctor if you have severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after being in the sun.
Disease interactions
9 potential interactions Applies to: 9 conditions, including Lupus Erythematosus, Liver Disease, Skin Cancer, Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders, and Porphyria.
Aphakia
Major:
methoxsalen
Methoxsalen has a major potential interaction with Aphakia.
The use of methoxsalen (a psoralen) with ultraviolet radiation (UVA) is contraindicated in patients with aphakia. The potential for retinal damage with PUVA (psoralen and UVA photochemotherapy) may be increased due to the absence of lenses.
Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders
Moderate:
methoxsalen
Methoxsalen has a moderate potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Patients with cardiac disease may not be able to tolerate prolonged standing or exposure to heat stress required of treatment in a vertical UVA chamber. Therapy with methoxsalen, if used in patients with cardiac disease, may require special precautions.
History, Radiation Therapy
Moderate:
methoxsalen
Methoxsalen has a moderate potential interaction with History, Radiation Therapy.
PUVA (psoralen and UVA photochemotherapy) may be associated with increased risks of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Methoxsalen, a psoralen, markedly enhances skin reactivity to UVA radiation, and exposure to sunlight and/or UVA can cause premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. The total lifetime dose of UVA that can be safely administered has not been established. Therefore, PUVA should be given cautiously in patients with a history of x-ray or grenz ray therapy. Close monitoring for signs of carcinoma is recommended. The usual restrictions concerning sun exposure before and after treatment as well as prescribed dosage must be followed closely.
History, Skin Cancer
Major:
methoxsalen
Methoxsalen has a major potential interaction with History, Skin Cancer.
The use of methoxsalen (a psoralen) with ultraviolet radiation (UVA) is contraindicated in patients with melanoma, invasive squamous cell carcinomas, or a history of melanoma. PUVA (psoralen and UVA photochemotherapy) may be associated with increased risks of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Methoxsalen markedly enhances skin reactivity to UVA, and exposure to sunlight and/or UVA can cause premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. If necessary, patients with a current or past history of multiple basal cell carcinomas or other nonmelanoma skin cancers may be treated with PUVA but should be carefully monitored. The usual restrictions concerning sun exposure before and after treatment as well as prescribed dosage must be followed closely.
Liver Disease
Moderate:
methoxsalen
Methoxsalen has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Patients with hepatic insufficiency should be treated with caution since hepatic biotransformation is necessary for drug urinary excretion.
Lupus Erythematosus
Major:
methoxsalen
Methoxsalen has a major potential interaction with Lupus Erythematosus.
The use of methoxsalen with ultraviolet radiation is contraindicated in patients with a history of photosensitive disease states. Methoxsalen is a potent photosensitizer that can induce severe burns and marked hyperpigmentation and aging of skin in susceptible patients or when used improperly. Diseases associated with photosensitivity include lupus erythematosus, porphyria cutanea tarda, erythropoietic protoporphyria, variegate porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, and albinism.
Porphyria
Major:
methoxsalen
Methoxsalen has a major potential interaction with Porphyria.
The use of methoxsalen with ultraviolet radiation is contraindicated in patients with a history of photosensitive disease states. Methoxsalen is a potent photosensitizer that can induce severe burns and marked hyperpigmentation and aging of skin in susceptible patients or when used improperly. Diseases associated with photosensitivity include lupus erythematosus, porphyria cutanea tarda, erythropoietic protoporphyria, variegate porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, and albinism.
Skin Cancer
Major:
methoxsalen
Methoxsalen has a major potential interaction with Skin Cancer.
The use of methoxsalen (a psoralen) with ultraviolet radiation (UVA) is contraindicated in patients with melanoma, invasive squamous cell carcinomas, or a history of melanoma. PUVA (psoralen and UVA photochemotherapy) may be associated with increased risks of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Methoxsalen markedly enhances skin reactivity to UVA, and exposure to sunlight and/or UVA can cause premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. If necessary, patients with a current or past history of multiple basal cell carcinomas or other nonmelanoma skin cancers may be treated with PUVA but should be carefully monitored. The usual restrictions concerning sun exposure before and after treatment as well as prescribed dosage must be followed closely.
Sunburn
Moderate:
methoxsalen
Methoxsalen has a moderate potential interaction with Sunburn.
Patients presenting with a sunburn should not be treated with methoxsalen (a psoralen) and ultraviolet radiation (UVA), since it may be difficult to evaluate the response of these patients to therapy. The mild, transient erythema normally seen 24 to 48 hours after PUVA (psoralen and UVA photochemotherapy) indicates a therapeutic interaction occurring between the psoralen and UVA but may be masked by a sunburn. Patients generally should avoid sunbathing for at least 24 hours prior to methoxsalen administration and UVA exposure. The usual restrictions concerning sun exposure after treatment and the prescribed dosage should also be followed closely to avoid severe burns and other phototoxic reactions.
More resources
alitretinoin topical
A total of 12 drugs are known to interact with alitretinoin topical.
- Alitretinoin topical is in the drug class miscellaneous topical agents.
- Alitretinoin topical is used to treat Kaposi's Sarcoma.
methoxsalen
A total of 154 drugs are known to interact with methoxsalen.
- Methoxsalen is in the drug class psoralens.
- Methoxsalen is used to treat the following conditions:
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.