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. This medicine 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.
uses
What isAminolevulinic Acid (Levulan Kerastick)used for?
- Actinic Keratosis
warnings
What is the most important information I should know aboutAminolevulinic Acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
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.
User Reviews & Rating
Overall rating forAminolevulinic Acid (Levulan Kerastick)
Side Effects
What are the side effects ofAminolevulinic Acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
Get emergency medical help if you havesigns of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
打电话给你的医生如果你有severe stinging or burning that lasts longer than 4 weeks.
Common side effects 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.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Can I takeAminolevulinic Acid (Levulan Kerastick)如果我怀孕了或母乳喂养吗?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Interactions
What drugs and food should I avoid while takingAminolevulinic Acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
Avoid exposure to sunlight or bright indoor light for up to 48 hours. Wear a hat and clothing that covers your skin. Even if you miss your light treatment appointment, continue avoiding bright light for up to 48 hours.
Avoid using other medications on the areas treated with aminolevulinic acid unless your doctor tells you to.
Dosage Guidelines & Tips
How to takeAminolevulinic Acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
UseAminolevulinic Acid (Levulan Kerastick)exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
A healthcare provider will apply this medicine directly to your skin lesions to prepare you for light treatment.
Your face and scalp may need to be treated in separate sessions if you have actinic keratosis on both areas.
If you are treated with Ameluz gel:
- The treated skin will be covered with a dressing to block out light.
- After 3 hours, the dressing will be removed and light treatment will be applied to the lesions.
If you are treated with Levulan Kerastick solution:
- You must return to your doctor's office within 14 to 18 hours afterward to receive light treatment.
- Once the solution has been applied, keep the treated skin dry.
- Do not wash the skin while waiting for your light treatment.
The photodynamic light has a low intensity and will not heat your skin. However, you may feel tingling, stinging, prickling, or burning where aminolevulinic acid was applied. This discomfort is usually temporary.
For up to 48 hours, you will need to protect your skin from bright light.Sunscreen will not be effective enough to protect you while this medicine is on your skin or scalp. Avoid exposure to both sunlight and bright indoor light. Wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat when you are outdoors. If you feel stinging or burning of the treated skin, reduce your exposure to light.
You may have some redness, swelling, and scaling of your lesions and the surrounding skin. These symptoms should go away completely within 4 weeks.
Call your doctor if you have severe skin discomfort, or if you have new or worsening skin problems.
If your actinic keratosis lesions do not clear up completely, you may need a second treatment.Levulan Kerastickand light treatment can be repeated after 8 weeks.Ameluzand light treatment can be repeated after 3 months.
Call your doctor for instructions if you cannot return for your light treatment within the recommended 14 to 18 hours afterLevulan Kerastickwas applied. The timing of this medicine and light treatment is extremely important to the success of your treatment.
Overdose Signs
What happens if I overdose onAminolevulinic Acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
Since this medicine is applied by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.