Introduction
Vitilen Lotion is a medicine used along with controlled ultraviolet light for effective treatment of certain skin diseases like vitiligo and psoriasis.
Vitilen Lotion 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 Lotion 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.
Side effects of Vitilen Lotion
How to use Vitilen Lotion
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 Lotion is to be taken with food.
How Vitilen Lotion works
Vitilen Lotion is a organic compound. It is used along with ultraviolet-A irradiation. It works by decreasing the number of cells the skin makes.
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.
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.
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.