Methyl aminolevulinate (Topical application)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 5, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Metvixia
Uses for methyl aminolevulinate
Methyl aminolevulinate is used with photodynamic therapy (light treatment) to treat actinic keratosis (AK) on the face and scalp. Actinic keratoses are skin lesions or growths in areas where the skin has been exposed to the sun. AK normally occurs in older patients with light-colored skin. Methyl aminolevulinate is only used for AK skin lesions that are thin and light in color.
Methyl aminolevulinate is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using methyl aminolevulinate
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For methyl aminolevulinate, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to methyl aminolevulinate or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of methyl aminolevulinate in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of methyl aminolevulinate in the elderly.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of methyl aminolevulinate. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Allergy to almond oil or
- allergy to peanut oil or
- allergy to porphyrins (e.g., porfimer [Photofrin®], verteporfin [Visudyne®]) or
- photosensitivity (skin sensitive to sunlight), history of—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Bleeding problems or
- Skin cancer or other skin lesions, history of—Use with caution. May cause side effects to become worse.
Proper use of methyl aminolevulinate
Methyl aminolevulinate will be applied to your skin in a clinic or doctor's office. You will receive two treatments with methyl aminolevulinate spaced 1 week apart.
Methyl aminolevulinate is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes, n...