PrescriptionGiant is a FREE prescription savings program that can save you up to 75% on your prescriptions with or without insurance!

Aminolevulinic Acid Topical

Actual product appearance may differ slightly.

Click the CARD below to print or take a screenshot on your mobile phone or tablet. There is no need to download another app!

If you would like to personalize your card enter your full name in the member name field below the card at this link and click the Update button.


Why is this medication prescribed?

Actinic keratoses (small crusty or scaly lumps on the skin or under the skin that originate from exposure to sunlight and can develop into skin cancer) of the face or scalp are treated with aminolevulinic acid in conjunction with photodynamic treatment (PDT; special blue light). A group of drugs known as photosensitizing agents includes aminolevulinic acid. The cells of actinic keratosis lesions are harmed when aminolevulinic acid is triggered by light.

How should this medicine be used?

A doctor will make a solution of aminolevulinic acid and apply it to the affected skin area using a specific applicator. After applying aminolevulinic acid, you must visit the doctor again 14 to 18 hours later to receive blue light PDT treatment. For instance, if aminolevulinic acid is administered in the late afternoon, the blue light treatment must be done the following morning. To keep your eyes safe while receiving blue light therapy, you will be provided with special goggles.

On the area that has had aminolevulinic acid treatment, do not use a dressing or bandage. Till you return to the doctor for blue light therapy, keep the treated area dry.

Eight weeks after receiving PDT and aminolevulinic acid treatment, your doctor will conduct an examination to determine whether you require repeat PDT on the same skin area.

Other uses for this medicine

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using aminolevulinic acid,

  • If you have an allergy to aminolevulinic acid, porphyrins, or any other drugs, tell your doctor right away.
  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Antihistamines, diuretics (‘water pills’), griseofulvin (Fulvicin-U/F, Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG), drugs for nausea, diabetes, and mental disease, sulfa antibiotics, and tetracycline antibiotics such demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), and tetracycline should all be mentioned (Sumycin). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
  • If you have porphyria, let your physician know (a condition that causes sensitivity to light). Most likely, your doctor will advise against using aminolevulinic acid.
  • If you currently have or have ever had any other medical conditions, let your doctor know.
  • Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking aminolevulinic acid.
  • Inform the surgeon or dentist if you are undergoing surgery, including dental surgery, that you are taking aminolevulinic acid.
  • You should be aware that aminolevulinic acid will increase how sensitive to sunlight your skin is (likely to get sunburn). Prior to receiving blue light treatment, keep the treated skin out of the sun and bright indoor lighting (such as tanning beds, bright halogen lighting, close task lighting, and high power lighting used in operating rooms or dentistry offices). Wear a wide-brimmed hat or other head covering that will shade the treated area or block the sun before stepping outside in the sun to protect treated skin from the sun. You won’t be shielded from solar sensitivity by sunscreen. Make sure you are keeping the area shaded from sunshine or bright light if you experience burning or stinging in the treated areas or notice that they have turned red or swollen.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Call your doctor if you cannot make it back to the office for blue light therapy 14 to 18 hours following the administration of levulinic acid. For at least 40 hours, keep shielding the treated skin from sunlight or other intense lights.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Side effects from aminolevulinic acid are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • During blue light therapy, tingling, stinging, prickling, or burning of lesions (should get better within 24 hours)
  • Skin around treated actinic keratoses is red, swollen, and scaly (should get better within 4 weeks)
  • Skin tanner than usual
  • Itching
  • Bleeding
  • Blistering
  • Pimple on the skin
  • Hives

Other negative consequences of aminolevulinic acid are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

In case of emergency/overdose

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused. For at least 40 hours, shield skin from direct sunlight or other intense light.

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Levulan® Kerastick®
Copyright © 2023 PrescriptionGiant.com