Photosensitizer
Photosensitizing agent
- Light exposure generates cytotoxic reactive oxygen species
- Cell death is confined to illuminated, drug-laden tissue
- Systemic photosensitivity until the agent clears
Drugs with this mechanism (2)
- Hypericin — St John's wort pigment; a photosensitizer.
- Pseudohypericin — St John's wort constituent; a photosensitizer.
Self-check
- Where is photosensitizer-induced cell death confined?
Illuminated, drug-laden tissue. - How long does systemic photosensitivity persist?
Until the agent clears.
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