Methoxsalen
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Methoxsalen
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| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
| 9-methoxy-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromen-7-one | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| ATC code | D05 D05 |
| PubChem | |
| DrugBank | |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C12H8O4 |
| Mol. mass | 216.19 g/mol |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | ? |
| Metabolism | ? |
| Half life | ~2 hours |
| Excretion | ? |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
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| Legal status | |
| Routes | ? |
Methoxsalen (marketed under the trade name Oxsoralen) is a drug used to treat psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, and some cutaneous Lymphomas in conjunction with exposing the skin to sunlight. Methoxsalen modifies the way skin cells receive the UVA radiation, allegedly clearing up the disease. The dosage comes in 10mg tablets, which are taken in the amount of 30mg 75 minutes before a PUVA light treatment. The substance is also present in bergamot oil which is used in many perfumes and aromatherapy oils.
[edit] Risks and side effects
Patients with high blood pressure or a history of liver problems are at risk for inflammation and irreparable damage to both liver and skin. The eyes must be protected from UVA radiation. Side effects include nausea, headaches, dizziness, and in rare cases insomnia. When Eau de Cologne was made, it became a popular perfume. It contained bergamot oil as one of its components. Ladies wearing the perfume on places where the skin was radiated by the sun, noticed that their skin turned brownish at those spots. This is due to the phototoxic effects of methoxsalen present in the bergamot oil. The methoxsalen was removed, and most modern formulations of perfumes containing bergamot are de-metohxsalenised.
[edit] Cultural aspects
Author John Howard Griffin used the chemical to darken his skin in order to investigate racial segregation in the south. He wrote the non-fiction book Black Like Me about his experiences.[1]
[edit] References
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