Aminolevulinic acid (On the skin)

Introduction:

Aminolevulinic Acid (a-mee-noe-lev-ue-LIN-ik AS-id)

Treats wart-like lesions (actinic keratoses) on the face or scalp.

Brand Name(s):

Levulan Kerastick

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to aminolevulinic acid or porphyrins, or if you have porphyria or skin that is sensitive to sun.

How to Use This Medicine:

Stick

  • You will receive this medicine in a clinic or doctor's office.
  • A nurse or other caregiver will apply the medicine. The next day, or several hours later, you will be treated with a special blue light.
  • After treatment with this medicine, stay out of the sun or bright light as much as possible. Wear protective clothing when going outside.
  • During the blue light treatment, you will be given special goggles to wear to protect your eyes.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Be sure your doctor knows if you are using griseofulvin (Fulvicin®), diuretics (water pills), tetracycline antibiotics, sulfa drugs (Bactrim®, Septra®), prochlorperazine (Compazine®), or diabetes medicine taken by mouth (DiaBeta®, Glipizide®, Glucotrol®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before receiving this medicine.
  • During the blue light treatment you may feel stinging, tingling, prickling, or burning of the lesions, but this should go away after the treatment.
  • Redness, scaling, and swelling may occur but should clear up after 4 weeks of treatment.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Bleeding, blistering, or oozing of treated areas

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Changes in color of treated skin
  • Itching
  • Stinging, burning, tingling
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