8-Methoxypsoralen

Synonyms

Methoxsalen; 5-Benzofuranacrylic acid, 6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-, delta-lactone; 6-Hydroxy-7-methoxy-5-benzofuranacrylic acid delta-lactone; 7H-Furo(3,2-g)(1)benzopyran-7-one, 9-methoxy-; 8-MOP; 8-Methoxy-(furano-3'.2':6.7-coumarin); 8-Methoxy-2',3',6,7-furocoumarin; 8-Methoxy-4',5',6,7-furocoumarin; 8-Methoxypsoralene; 9-Methoxy-7H-furo(3,2-g)(1)benzopyran-7-one; 9-Methoxypsoralen; Ammodin; Ammoidin; Geroxalen; Meladinin; Meladinin (VAN); Meladinine; Meladoxen; Meloxine; Methoxa-Dome; New-Meladinin; Oxsoralen; Oxsoralen Lotion; Oxsoralen Ultra; Oxsoralen-Ultra; Oxypsoralen; Psoralon-MOP; Puvalen; Puvamet; Uvadex; Xanthotoxin; Xanthotoxine; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Other Organic Compounds

Description

White to cream-colored solid; [Hawley] Sensitive to light and air; [CAMEO] Light yellow crystalline powder; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used to enhance pigmentation and to repigment vitiliginous areas; [HSDB] Used either systemically or topically in combination with ultraviolet light; [REPROTOX]

Comments

A phototoxic agent; Emergency treatment: "Psoralens"; Combining psoralens and UV light is called PUVA therapy; Therapeutic doses are 0.6 mg/kg; Toxic hepatitis has been reported after PUVA therapy; [HSDB] Embryotoxic in high-dose animal studies, but no evidence of increased risk in humans; [REPROTOX] An irritant; Effects in high-dose animal studies include, convulsions, photosensitivity (after systemic exposure), and hepatitis; May cause cancer; May cause heritable genetic damage; [MSDSonline]

Biomedical References

Explanatory Notes

8-methoxypsoralen plus ultra-violet radiation is a known human carcinogen; [IARC]

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

PICD (photoirritant contact dermatitis)

Established

Human carcinogen

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, photoirritant