title: Biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacology of psoralens.
abstract: The psoralen derivative 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and to a lesser extent some other psoralens, including 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) and 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) have acquired a place in the treatment of psoriasis and other dermatoses. They are only active when combined with long-wave ultraviolet light: PUVA therapy (Psoralen plus UVA). Successful PUVA therapy depends on sufficiently high psoralen concentrations coinciding with the time of irradiation. The use of oral or rectal pharmaceutical formulations with 8-MOP dissolved in liquid is preferable to conventional tablets or capsules. Since no formulation of 5-MOP with fast and predictable absorption is available 8-MOP should be preferred in PUVA therapy. The effectiveness of oral TMP is doubtful, because of low serum concentrations, probably due to malabsorption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Stolk
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D011564:Furocoumarins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D011564:Furocoumarins