Vitilen 10

Introduction
Vitilen 10 is a medicine used along with controlled ultraviolet light for effective treatment of certain skin diseases like vitiligo and psoriasis. Vitilen 10 is taken after meals in a dose and duration as advised by the doctor. Taking with food helps to increase absorption of the medication as well as decreases nausea. The dose you are given will depend on your condition and how you respond to the medicine. You should keep taking this medicine for as long as your doctor recommends. If you stop treatment too early your symptoms may come back and your condition may worsen. Let your doctor know about all other medications you are taking as some may affect, or be affected by this medicine. The most common side effects of Vitilen 10 are nausea, itching, and redness of the skin. Most of these are temporary and usually resolve with time. Contact your doctor straight away if you are at all concerned about any of these side effects. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it can make dizziness worse. Taking this medicine makes the skin more sensitive to the sun. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Try to avoid exposure of your skin and lips to sunlight for eight hours after treatment.

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Uses of Vitilen 10
Vitiligo
Psoriasis
Side effects of Vitilen 10
Common
Itching
How to use Vitilen 10
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Vitilen 10 is to be taken with food.
How Vitilen 10 works
Vitilen 10 is a organic compound. It is used along with ultraviolet-A irradiation. It works by decreasing the number of cells the skin makes.
Quick Tips
Take this treatment (methoxsalen and UVA) two or three times a week with the treatment spaced at least forty-eight hours apart.
Take this medication by mouth with food or milk, usually 2 to 4 hours before your UVA light treatment.
Do not sunbathe for 24 hours before taking methoxsalen. Wear UVA-absorbing, wrap-around sunglasses and cover exposed skin or use a sunblock (SP 15 or higher) for the twenty-four (24) hour period following treatment with methoxsalen.
Use extra caution for at least 48 hours following each treatment. After each treatment, cover your skin for at least 8 hours by wearing protective clothing.
Do not increase the amount of methoxsalen if you are taking or spend extra time in the sunlight or under an ultraviolet lamp.
Do not drive or operate machinery as methoxsalen may cause dizziness.
Not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years.
You will need to have an eye examination before starting methoxsalen and also once a year thereafter.
Brief Description
Indication
Psoriasis, Vitiligo, Eczema, T-Cell Lymphoma
Administration
Apply over lesions then expose to UVA immediately after application or wait up to 2 hr. Protect the area surrounding the lesion w/ a sunscreen. Wash and protect lesions from light after treatment; protection may be up to >48 hr. Treatment is usually repeated once wkly. Substantial repigmentation usually requires 6-9 mth of treatment.

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Adult Dose
Topical Vitiligo: Adults and children 12 years of age and over Apply to the affected area of the skin 2 hr before UV exposure q3-7 days. The amount and time of UVA light for each treatment is based on skin type and response to treatment. patient may have UVA light treatments 2 to 4 times a week when first start and then less frequently as condition improves.

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Child Dose
Topical Vitiligo: Children 12 years of age and over Apply to the affected area of the skin 2 hr before UV exposure q3-7 days. <12 years old: safety and efficacy not established _ Contraindication Hypersensitivity. Aphakia, existing or history of melanoma, invasive squamous cell carcinoma, photosensitivity diseases (e.g. porphyria, acute lupus erythematosus, xeroderma pigmentosum). Mode of Action Methoxsalen increases skin reactivity to long-wavelength UV rays. It bonds covalently to DNA inhibiting DNA synthesis and cell division, which can lead to cell injury. This effect is used in photochemotherapy or PUVA and high-intensity long-wavelength UVA irradiation]. Precaution Patient exhibiting multiple basal cell carcinoma or history of basal cell carcinoma, previous arsenic therapy, previous x-ray or grenz ray therapy; cardiac diseases or those unable to tolerate prolonged standing or exposure to heat stress; GI diseases or chronic infection. Hepatic impairment. Pregnancy and lactation. Lactation: not known whether excreted in breast milk; use caution _ Side Effect All Patients Mild-moderate erythema x 24-48 hrs 1-10% Nausea,Pruritis Frequency Not Defined Edema,Dizziness,Headache,Malaise,Depression,Hypopigmentation,Bullae formation,Rash,Herpes simplex,Uritcaria,GI disturbances,Leg cramps,Hypotension,Extension of psoriasis _ Interaction Additive effects with drugs known to cause photosensitisation e.g. anthralin, coal tar or derivatives, griseofulvin, phenothiazines, nalidixic acid, sulfonamides., tetracyclines and thiazide diuretics. May increase the levels/effects of aminophylline, fluvoxamine, mexiletine, mirtazapine, ropinirole, theophylline, trifluoperazine, dexmedetomidine and ifosfamide.