LIQUID FORMULATIONS OF 8-METHOXYPSORALEN (8-MOP) AND 5-MOP - A PROSPECTIVE DOUBLE-BLIND CROSSOVER ASSESSMENT OF ACUTE NONPHOTOTOXIC ADVERSE-EFFECTS

Thirty-nine patients with psoriasis undergoing PUVA participated in a prospective double-blind study of acute non-phototoxic adverse effects comparing the liquid formulations of 8-methoxypsoralen (0.6 mg/kg) and 5-methoxypsoralen (1.2 mg/kg). A much higher number of patients experienced nausea (8-MOP = 51.3%, 5-MOP = 7.7%) and pruritus (8-MOP = 71.8%, 5-MOP = 43.6%) than has been reported for crystalline tablets. No attempt was made to compare therapeutic efficacy between liquid and crystalline tablet formulations or between 8-MOP and 5-MOP, which both appeared to be effective. The high incidence of adverse effects suggests that current dosage recommendations be reviewed.