Navigation

Ameluz

  • Generic Name: aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride gel
  • Brand Name: Ameluz

side effects drug center ameluz (aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride gel) drug - patient side effects and images

  • Related Drugs
    Cambia Cataflam Fluoroplex Turalio Voltaren Voltaren XR
  • Health Resources
    Actinic Keratosis
    • Ameluz Patient Information Including Side Effects

    Brand Names: Ameluz, Levulan Kerastick

    Generic Name: aminolevulinic acid (topical)

    What is aminolevulinic acid (Ameluz, Levulan Kerastick)?

    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.

    What are the possible side effects of aminolevulinic acid (Ameluz, Levulan Kerastick)?

    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 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.

    What is the most important information I should know about aminolevulinic acid (Ameluz, Levulan Kerastick)?

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

    Ameluz Patient Information including How Should I Take

    What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving aminolevulinic acid (Ameluz, 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.

    How is aminolevulinic acid given (Ameluz, Levulan Kerastick)?

    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 Kerastick and light treatment can be repeated after 8 weeks. Ameluz and light treatment can be repeated after 3 months.

    Ameluz Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

    What happens if I miss a dose (Ameluz, Levulan Kerastick)?

    Call your doctor for instructions if you cannot return for your light treatment within the recommended 14 to 18 hours after Levulan Kerastick was applied. The timing of this medicine and light treatment is extremely important to the success of your treatment.

    What happens if I overdose (Ameluz, Levulan Kerastick)?

    Since this medicine is applied by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

    What should I avoid after receiving aminolevulinic acid (Ameluz, 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.

    What other drugs will affect aminolevulinic acid (Ameluz, Levulan Kerastick)?

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

    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.

    Where can I get more information (Ameluz, Levulan Kerastick)?

    Your doctor can provide more information about aminolevulinic acid.

    Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Copyright 1996-2021 Cerner Multum, Inc.