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| Pronunciation |
|
 (a
mee noe le vu LIN ik AS
id) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Levulan®
Kerastick™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Photosensitizing Agent, Topical; Topical Skin Product |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to aminolevulinic acid or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have porphyria.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to control a skin condition called actinic
keratoses. It is used with light
therapy.
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| How does it work? |
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- Aminolevulinic acid prepares the skin it is used on for light therapy.
It makes the skin susceptible to the
light.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- It will be put on the skin by your healthcare
provider.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- The healthcare provider will put it on your skin every 8 weeks.
- Do not miss your
appointments.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- You can burn after the medicine is used. Avoid exposure to the sun,
bright indoor lights, or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing such as a wide
brimmed hat. Sunscreens do not protect you.
- Do not use if you are taking medicines that increases the risk of
sunburn. These medicines include griseofulvin, thiazide diuretics, sulfonamides,
sulfonylureas, phenothiazines, tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones. Check your
medicines with your healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Severe stinging, burning, scaling, itching, or crusting of the skin.
- Changes in the color of the skin where the medicine is
used.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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