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

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

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 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.

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

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