Abstract
Skin photosensitivity remains the major side-effect of current clinical photodynamic therapy using porphyrin based drugs. We have studied the usefulness of oral activated charcoal in 12 patients undergoing photodynamic therapy and a control group of patients treated without charcoal. Detailed pharmacokinetic studies were carried out and measurements of skin erythema responses to known light doses were made using a reflectance spectrophotometer in these patients. There were no significant differences with respect to the area under the curve, clearance, mean residence time or half-life of the drug between the two groups and no significant differences in reflectance values. Prolonged skin photosensitivity as assessed by reflectance spectrophotometry was confirmed up to and beyond 2 months after treatment.
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Lowdell, C.P., Gilson, D., Ash, D.V. et al. An attempt to reduce skin photosensitivity in clinical photodynamic therapy using oral activated charcoal. Laser Med Sci 7, 351–356 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02594072
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02594072