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Introduction About MELCYL TABLET
MELCYL TABLET contains Methoxsalen which belongs to the group of medicines called Antipsoriatics. It is used along with controlled ultraviolet light for the effective management of certain skin diseases like vitiligo and psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a condition in which the skin cells in the body grow too rapidly and form scales and dry patches, mostly on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Vitiligo is a long-term condition in which pale white patches develop on any area of skin (commonly on the face, neck, and hands, and in skin creases) due to the lack of melanin (a skin pigment).
During MELCYL TABLET management, your doctor may advise you to wear special wrap-around sunglasses that totally block or absorb ultraviolet light, to avoid exposure of your skin and lips to sunlight for 8 hours after management, to wear protective clothing like hat or gloves to cover as much of your body as possible after management, and to use a sunscreen product having a protection factor of at least 15 (only after management).
MELCYL TABLET is not recommended for use in patients having aphakia (not having a lens inside the eye), existing or history of melanoma, invasive squamous cell carcinoma, or photosensitivity diseases.
Before taking MELCYL TABLET, inform your doctor if you have or ever had multiple basal cell carcinoma, previous arsenic, x-ray or Grenz ray therapy, heart, GI or liver diseases, chronic infection, or if you are unable to tolerate prolonged standing or exposure to heat stress.
MELCYL TABLET should be taken in pregnancy only if your doctor finds it clearly necessary. In young women, it is recommended to use contraception throughout the therapy. Breastfeeding should be avoided while taking MELCYL TABLET.
The most common side effects of taking MELCYL TABLET are itching, redness of the skin, and nausea. Contact your physician if any of the symptoms deteriorate.
Uses Of MELCYL TABLET
It is used along with controlled ultraviolet light to manage:
- vitiligo
- psoriasis
How MELCYL TABLET Works
In psoriasis, MELCYL TABLET is assumed to work by damaging the DNA on exposure to light, resulting in decreased cell multiplication, but other mechanisms may also be playing some role. In vitiligo, it has been suggested that melanocytes (cells containing the pigment called melanin) in the hair follicle are stimulated by MELCYL TABLET to move up the follicle and to repopulate the outermost layer of your skin.
How to use MELCYL TABLET
Take MELCYL TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow it with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your physician will decide an appropriate dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight, and disease condition.
Side Effects Of MELCYL TABLET
Common
- itching
- redness of the skin
- nausea
Uncommon
- depression
- dizziness, headache
- swelling, rash
- leg cramps
Rare
Stop taking MELCYL TABLET and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- small growths on the skin or skin sores that will not heal
- serious burns
How To Manage Side Effects
Nausea:
Take MELCYL TABLET with milk or food to manage nausea. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil-rich or spicy foods. If you still feel nauseous, contact your doctor.
Irritation:
Avoid sharing vessels, personal items, or cosmetics with others. Use disinfects on objects you use in public spaces, such as gym equipment. Drink enough water and consume a nutritious diet. Do not use irritants or harsh chemicals. Sleep seven to eight hours every night. Use sunscreens to manage sunburn and other sun damage. Wash hands regularly with soap water.
Headache:
Drink plenty of water and get adequate rest. Try to be relaxed and stress free. Consult with your doctor before taking any medicine for headache. If headache persists, consult your doctor.
Dizziness:
Lie down until dizziness is improved, then get up slowly. Don’t hurry and move slowly and carefully. Get adequate rest. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. If dizziness persists, consult your doctor.
Warning & Precautions
Pregnancy
MELCYL TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before taking it.
Breastfeeding
Avoid breastfeeding while taking MELCYL TABLET as it is not known if this medicine passes into the breast milk. Consult your doctor before taking it.
Liver
MELCYL TABLET should be used with caution in patients having liver disease. Consult your physician before taking it.
Allergy
Do not take MELCYL TABLET if you are allergic to Methoxsalen or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
Heart Disease
MELCYL TABLET should be used with caution in patients having heart or blood pressure problems. Consult your physician before taking it.
Others
MELCYL TABLET is not recommended for use if you:
- have aphakia (not having a lens inside the eye)
- have or had melanoma
- have invasive squamous cell carcinoma
- have photosensitivity diseases (Ex. porphyria, acute lupus erythematosus, xeroderma pigmentosum, erythropoietic protoporphyria, variegate porphyria, and albinism)
Before taking MELCYL TABLET, inform your doctor if you:
- have or had multiple basal cell carcinoma
- had arsenic therapy
- recently had x-ray or Grenz ray therapy or are about to have one
- are unable to tolerate prolonged standing or exposure to heat stress
- have GI diseases
- have chronic infection
- have or had any eye problems like cataracts or loss of the lens of the eyes
- have any medical condition that requires you to stay out of the sun like lupus erythematosus
Use in pediatrics:
The safety of MELCYL TABLET in children has not been established so, consult your child's doctor for advice.
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before taking MELCYL TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- other medicines used to manage psoriasis (Ex. coal tar or its derivatives, anthralin)
- medicines used for fungal infections (Ex. griseofulvin, itraconazole)
- medicines used in psychiatric disorders (Ex. chlorpromazine, fluphenazine)
- medicines used to manage bacterial infections (Ex. nalidixic acid, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, ofloxacin, moxifloxacin)
- medicines used to manage parasitic infections (Ex. closantel, niclosamide)
- medicines used to manage fluid retention (Ex. chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide)
- some organic staining dyes (Ex. methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose Bengal, methyl orange)
B. Drug-Food interactions:
Avoid psoralen-containing foods (Ex. parsley, parsnip, celery) while taking MELCYL TABLET as it may increase the risk of phototoxicity.
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally take too much of MELCYL TABLET, make them stay out of sunlight and consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.
Synopsis
| Drug | : |
Methoxsalen |
| Pharmacological Category | : |
Melanizing agent |
| Therapeutic Indication | : |
Vitiligo, Psoriasis |
| Dosage Forms | : |
Tablet, Capsule, Solution, Topical solution, Lotion, Ointment |
More Information
- Keep MELCYL TABLET out of reach of children
- Store MELCYL TABLET between 15-30°C
FAQs About MELCYL TABLET
Can MELCYL TABLET be given to children?
The safety of MELCYL TABLET in children has not been established so, consult your child's doctor for advice. The doctor will decide an appropriate dose or select a suitable alternative management for your child.
When not to use MELCYL TABLET?
MELCYL TABLET is not recommended to use if you have or had Aphakia (not having a lens inside the eye), existing or history of melanoma, invasive squamous cell carcinoma, or photosensitivity diseases (Ex. porphyria, acute lupus erythematosus, xeroderma pigmentosum). Consult your physician before taking it.
What if I forget to take a dose of MELCYL TABLET?
If you forget to take a dose of MELCYL TABLET, take it as soon as you remember. However, omit the missed dose if it's almost time for the next one. Do not take MELCYL TABLET two times to make up for the missed dose.
Can I take other medicines with MELCYL TABLET?
Before taking MELCYL TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking, have taken, or might take any other medicine, including prescription, over the counter or any herbal medicine, as these might cause serious side effects by interacting with each other.
Is it safe to take MELCYL TABLET in patients with heart problems?
MELCYL TABLET should be used with caution in patients having heart or blood pressure problems. Consult your physician before taking it. Your doctor will decide the appropriate dose or select a suitable alternative management for you.
Can MELCYL TABLET be used in pregnant women?
MELCYL TABLET is generally not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered clearly necessary. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to get pregnant, consult your doctor before taking it. Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during management with MELCYL TABLET.
References
1. Matthew J. Sewell, Craig N. Burkhart, and Dean S. Morrell. Dermatological Pharmacology. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological basics of Therapeutics. 13th Edition. New York McGraw Hill Medical 2018. Page – 1278.
2. K.D. Tripathi. Drugs Acting on Skin and Mucous Membranes. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page –890.
3. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Pharmaceuticals. Lyon (FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer. Methoxsalen plus Ultraviolet A Radiation.NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. 2012. [Accessed on 13th July 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK304315/
4. John A. Parrish, Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, Lewis Tanenbaum, Madhukar A. Pathak. Photochemotherapy of Psoriasis with Oral Methoxsalen and Longwave Ultraviolet Light. The New England Journal of Medicine. December 1974. [Accessed on 13th July 2022] https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM197412052912301
5. ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. US Food and Drug Administration. [Revised in August 1998] [Accessed on 13th July 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2003/09048slr037_methoxsalen_lbl.pdf
6. CLS Pharma. Meladinine (Methoxsalen). [Accessed on 13th July 2022] https://www.clspharma.fr/images/CLS_PHARMA/documents/meladinine_10mg_en.pdf
7. MIMS. Methoxsalen. [Accessed on 13th July 2022] https://www.mims.com/india/drug/info/methoxsalen?type=full&mtype=generic
8. Albatross Pharmaceuticals. Melanex Forte Tablet (Methoxsalen 20mg). [Accessed on 13th July 2022] http://www.albatrosspharma.com/PDFs/MelanexForte.pdf
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