Treatment of Vitiligo With Oral 4,5',8-Trimethylpsoralen (Trisoralen)

SUMMARY.— Thirty-two patients with vitiligo were treated with oral 4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) and subsequently exposed to various sources of long wave u.v. light, including natural sunlight. The patients were treated once or twice weekly over a period of 4–28 months, taking 15–20 mg of TMP at least 2 h before exposure to u.v. light. The amount of exposure to u.v, light was carefully graduated, and slowly increased according to the patient's tolerance. Six patients showed considerable repigmentation of the areas of vitiligo; 9 others had a significant cosmetic improvement. Areas of vitiligo on the face, neck and trunk were more responsive to treatment than those on the distal parts of the limbs. Natural sunlight in the summer months appears to be much more effective in inducing repigmentation of vitiliginous skin than artificial sources of long wave u.v. light. No adverse effects due to the drug were noted. It is suggested that treatment with systemic TMP is effective and safe and is of use in selected cases of vitiligo.