Metvixia topical

Methyl aminolevulinate makes your skin more sensitive to light. It works by causing a reaction with light that can destroy certain types of diseased skin cells.

Methyl aminolevulinate topical (for the skin) is used in combination with red light therapy to treat a skin condition called actinic keratosis of the face and scalp.

Methyl aminolevulinate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Methyl aminolevulinate topical is a cream that is applied to your skin lesions before you receive red light treatment. A healthcare provider will apply this medicine in a clinical setting.

Before this medicine is applied, your skin lesions will be gently scraped to remove any scales or crusting. After methyl aminolevulinate is applied, your caregiver will cover the treatment area with a bandage. You will need to leave this bandage in place for 3 hours.

During this 3-hour period, avoid exposure to cold temperatures and sunlight or bright indoor lights. Wear a wide-brimmed hat if you must be outdoors during this time.

After your bandaging is removed, any excess medication will be removed with a saline solution. You will then be ready to receive the light treatment.

You will be given eye-wear to protect your eyes during red light treatment.

You may feel a slight stinging or burning during light therapy. Tell your caregivers if you have any type of severe discomfort.

Methyl aminolevulinate and red light therapy is usually given in two sessions one week apart. Your treatment schedule may be different. Follow your doctor's instructions.

It may take several weeks before you notice improvement in your skin condition. Your doctor will need to check your treated skin 3 months after the end of your last treatment with methyl aminolevulinate.

Your skin lesions may need to be treated more than once, and they may come back after treatment. Talk to your doctor about the number of treatments needed to treat your condition.

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied methyl aminolevulinate. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Consult your pharmacist.

How to use Metvixia Cream

Consult your pharmacist.

Consult your pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

You should not use Metvixia if you are allergic to porphyrins, peanuts or almonds, or if your skin is especially sensitive to light.

Before you are treated with Metvixia, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Also tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially drugs that can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, such as certain antibiotics, heart or blood pressure medications, diuretics (water pills), sulfa drugs, oral diabetes medications, or NSAID pain or arthritis medicines.

Metvixia is applied by a healthcare provider in a clinic setting. For at least 48 hours after your treatment, avoid exposing treated skin to sunlight, sunlamps, tanning beds, or other bright lights. Sunscreen is not effective enough to protect treated skin from harm caused by bring light during this time. Wear protective clothing whenever you are outdoors. Call your doctor at once if you have severe stinging, burning, redness, oozing, or swelling of treated skin areas, especially if you have these effects for longer than 3 weeks after treatment.

It may take several weeks before you notice improvement in your skin condition. Your doctor will need to check your treated skin 3 months after the end of your last treatment with Metvixia.

Your skin lesions may need to be treated more than once, and they may come back after treatment. Talk to your doctor about the number of treatments needed to treat your condition.

You should not use Metvixia cream if you are allergic to methyl aminolevulinate, or if you have:

• an allergy to peanuts or almonds;

• an allergy to porphyrins; or

• if your skin is especially sensitive to light.

To make sure Metvixia is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a bleeding disorder; or

• a history of skin cancer or skin growths.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Metvixia will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

It is not known whether methyl aminolevulinate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied Metvixia. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.