Psoralen Plus Ultraviolet A Photochemotherapy and Other Phototherapy Modalities

Abstract Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) photochemotherapy refers to the use of psoralen and ultraviolet A (320–400 nm) radiation for treatment. This is administered either orally or topically. Both are administered 2 to 3 times weekly, with dosing dependent on skin phototype or minimal phototoxic dose. The primary indication for PUVA is psoriasis and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, in addition to numerous other papulosquamous dermatoses, vitiligo, pruritus, and some photodermatoses. Over the last few decades, narrow-band ultraviolet B (UVB) has emerged as the standard of care and preferred method of phototherapy because of equal or superior clinical efficacy, ease of administration, and short- and long-term safety profile. Excimer laser/lamp (308 nm) and ultraviolet A (UVA)-1 are other less commonly used forms of phototherapy, primarily indicated for smaller body surface areas of less than 10% and sclerodermoid dermatoses, respectively.