aminolevulinic acid (cont.)

What is aminolevulinic acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
What are the possible side effects of aminolevulinic acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
What is the most important information I should know about aminolevulinic acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
Who should not use aminolevulinic acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
How should I use aminolevulinic acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
What happens if I miss a dose (Levulan Kerastick)?
What happens if I overdose (Levulan Kerastick)?
What should I avoid while using aminolevulinic acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
What other drugs will affect aminolevulinic acid (Levulan Kerastick)?
Where can I get more information?

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

If for any reason you cannot return for the blue light treatment during the prescribed period of time after application of the aminolevulinic acid solution, call your doctor. Also, continue to avoid exposure of the treated areas to sunlight or prolonged or intense light for at least 40 hours. If you experience stinging or burning of the treated area(s), reduce your exposure to light.

What happens if I overdose (Levulan Kerastick)?

An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect an overdose, or if aminolevulinic acid has been ingested, call an emergency room or poison control center near you. Avoid exposure to intense light sources for at least 40 hours.

What should I avoid while using aminolevulinic acid (Levulan Kerastick)?

After aminolevulinic acid has been applied, wear sunlight-protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat or similar head covering. Sunscreens will not protect you. Avoid exposure to sunlight or bright indoor light (examination lamps, operating room lamps, tanning beds, or very close lights). If you experience stinging or burning of the treated skin, reduce your exposure to light. It has not been determined if perspiration can spread aminolevulinic acid outside the treatment site to the eyes or surrounding skin.

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

Before treatment with aminolevulinic acid, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin, others);
an oral diabetes medicine such as glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase, others), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others;
a phenothiazine including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;
a sulfa drug (sulfonamide) such as sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol, others), sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra, Septra DS, others), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), and others;
a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin), minocycline (Minocin), doxycycline (Monodox, Doryx, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs), and others; or
a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Esidrix, Oretic, Microzide, others), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), chlorothiazide (Diuril), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others.

You may not be able to use aminolevulinic acid, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with aminolevulinic acid. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about aminolevulinic acid written for health professionals that you may read.

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.
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