photosensitizing agent (photosensitizer)

Introduction

Drugs that are pharmacologically inactive but when exposed to ultraviolet radiation or sunlight are converted to their active metabolite to produce a beneficial reaction affecting diseased tissue.

Uses

• treatment of psoriasis (psoralen)
• treatment of cancers

Dosage

(administration)

• topic
• systemic

Adverse effects

• increased risk of skin cancer

More general terms

• dermatologic agent

More specific terms

• antineoplastic photosensitizing agent
• dihematoporphyrin ether (Photofrin)
• psoralen
• verteporfin (Visudyne)

Additional terms

• photosensitivity
• phototherapy