Aminolevulinic Acid (On the skin)

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Treats wart-like lesions (actinic keratoses).

Drug classes

Photosensitizing Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Aminolevulinic acid application followed by exposure to a certain type of light (blue light using the BLU–U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator) treats the skin condition called actinic keratoses.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Stick, Liquid

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 blue light.

After treatment with this medicine, stay out of the sun or bright light as much as possible. Wear protective clothing when you go outside.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

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

Some medicines can make you more sensitive to sunlight if taken with aminolevulinic acid. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

Antibiotics such as doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole Diuretics (water pills), such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Griseofulvin Phenothiazine medicine, such as promethazine, chlorpromazine Sulfa drugs

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to aminolevulinic acid or porphyrins, or if you have porphyria or skin that is sensitive to sun.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

You may feel stinging, tingling, prickling, or burning of the lesions during the blue light treatment, but this should go away after the treatment.

Redness, scaling, and swelling may occur but should clear up after 4 weeks of treatment.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

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

Stinging, burning, tingling, or itching skin

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Levulan Kerastick

There may be other brand names for this medicine.