Comparative efficacy of two dosage forms of oral methoxsalen in psoralens plus ultraviolet A therapy of psoriasis.
Two alternate oral formulations of 8-methoxypsoralen, one liquid and the other crystalline, were evaluated in a double-blind trial for their comparative efficacy in combination with ultraviolet A (UVA) light in the treatment of severe psoriasis. With the liquid formulation a greater proportion of patients achieved a good clinical result within the 20 treatment sessions than patients receiving the crystalline formulation. This difference is even more striking using a more rigorous criterion of clearance. Among all patients who achieved clearance, no significant differences were seen in either the number of treatments required or in the total UVA energy employed between the two groups. The preceding clinical results are discussed in light of published pharmacokinetic data.
Lowe
N J
NJ
Urbach
F
F
Bailin
P
P
Weingarten
D P
DP
D000284:Administration, Oral; D002214:Capsules; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012074:Remission Induction; D012996:Solutions
D002214:Capsules; D012996:Solutions; D008730:Methoxsalen