Aminolevulinic acid topical

Generic name: Aminolevulinic Acid (topical)
Drug class: Topical photochemotherapeutics

Usage of Aminolevulinic acid topical

Aminolevulinic acid causes skin cells to become more sensitive to certain types of light. Skin cells treated with aminolevulinic acid will die and slough off after being exposed to a special light treatment.

Aminolevulinic acid is used to treat actinic keratosis (warty overgrowths of skin) on the face and scalp. aminolevulinic acid is used together with a special light treatment, also called photodynamic therapy.

Aminolevulinic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Aminolevulinic acid topical side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have severe stinging or burning that lasts longer than 4 weeks.

Common side effects of aminolevulinic acid may include:

pain, burning, redness, or swelling of treated skin;

itching, stinging, tingling, or prickly feeling;

scaling or crusting of the skin;

headache;

chills; or

puffy eyelids.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Aminolevulinic acid topical

You should not be treated with aminolevulinic acid if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a soybean allergy; or

porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Relate drugs

How to use Aminolevulinic acid topical

Usual Adult Dose for Actinic Keratosis:

One application and one dose of illumination per treatment site per 8 week treatment sessionDuration of therapy: Treated lesions that have not completely resolved after 8 weeks may be treated a second time.Comments:-Each individual aminolevulinic acid topical solution should be used for only one patient.-Photodynamic therapy is a two stage process involving application of the product followed 14 to 18 hours later by illumination with blue light using the BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator.Use: Treatment of minimally to moderately thick actinic keratoses of the face or scalp

Warnings

Avoid exposure to sunlight or bright indoor light for up to 48 hours after aminolevulinic acid is applied to your skin or scalp.

What other drugs will affect Aminolevulinic acid topical

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs can make you more sensitive to sunlight, especially:

an antibiotic or sulfa drug;

a diuretic or "water pill";

medicine to treat nausea or vomiting;

antipsychotic medication; or

an oral diabetes medicine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect aminolevulinic acid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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