Aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (Ameluz®)
Pronounce: uh-MEE-no-leh-vyoo-LIN-ik AS-id
Classification: Topical photochemotherapeutic
About Aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (Ameluz®)
This medication is a topical (put on your skin) photochemotherapeutic. It helps your skin react to light from photodynamic therapy (PDT), which is a type of light therapy. This medication works with a certain photodynamic therapy called BF-RhodoLED or RhodoLED XL lamp to kill cancer cells.
How to Take This Medication
This medication is a topical gel, meaning it is put on your skin. Your provider will clean your skin and may remove some layers of skin. Then they will put the medication on your skin, cover it with a dressing, and let the medication stay on your skin for a few hours. Your provider will then wipe off the medication and then will start your PDT. The medication should not be put around your eyes, your eyelids, or in your eyes. You and your provider will wear eye protection during your treatment.
While using this medication, your skin will be more sensitive to the sun. It is important to avoid sun exposure for at least 48 hours and protect your skin from the sun. Do not use a tanning bed or sun lamp while using this medication.
Possible Side Effects
These are some of the most common or most serious side effects of this medication. Talk with your provider about the side effects you are having and how they can be managed.
Skin Changes
This medication can cause changes to your skin in the treatment area. You might experience things like:
- Pain.
- Burning.
- Redness.
- Itching.
- Swelling.
- Scabbing.
The area might look worse than before treatment, which will likely continue for a few weeks after treatment. Ask your provider any questions you have about changes to your skin.
Sun Sensitivity
This medication can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which can result in a severe sunburn or rash. Sun sensitivity can last even after you are done with chemotherapy. Avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, when it is strongest. Wear sunscreen every day and reapply when you are in the sun. The best sunscreen is SPF 30 or higher and protects against both types of sunlight, UVA and UVB. Wear sunglasses, a hat, and long sleeves/pants to protect your skin, a lip balm with SPF greater than 30, and seek out shade whenever possible.
Tell your providers if you develop red, painful, or itchy skin, sunburn, skin irritation, bumps, or thick, dry skin.
Eye Problems
The use of this medication with photodynamic therapy can cause eyelid edema (swelling) and dry eyes. Talk to your provider about changes in your eyes when you are receiving this treatment.
Important but Less Common Side Effects
Amnesia
Amnesia is short-term memory loss. In rare cases, when used with PDT, this medication can cause amnesia. Talk to your provider if you are having memory issues.
Bleeding
Tell your provider if you have any bleeding disorders before using this medication. There is an increased risk of bleeding if you have a bleeding disorder and use this medication.