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Overview: Levulan Kerastick is a liquid medicine that is used to treat spots on the skin called actinic keratoses. After it is applied to your skin by a health care provider, your skin will be exposed to a special blue light. The medicine and the blue light work together to kill the actinic keratoses cells. Common side effects include skin redness, stinging, burning, swelling, crusting, oozing, or itching. After Levulan Kerastick is applied, your skin will be very sensitive to light for at least 40 hours. If you cannot completely avoid sunlight and bright lights during this time, you must cover the treated area with protective clothing.

Uses

What is Levulan Kerastick used for?

Levulan Kerastick (aminolevulinic acid) is commonly used to treat rough, scaly patches on the skin known as actinic keratoses. Actinic keratoses are a type of precancerous growth caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun or tanning devices.

Levulan Kerastick may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Levulan Kerastick work (mechanism of action)?

Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly patches caused by damage to the cells in the top layer of your skin. Levulan Kerastick is a medicine that makes the skin more sensitive to light. After this medicine is applied directly to your actinic keratoses, your skin is exposed to a blue light. The blue light activates Levulan Kerastick, killing the damaged cells. This is called photodynamic therapy. Once the cells have died, the spots begin to disappear over time.

How is Levulan Kerastick supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Levulan Kerastick

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 20% topical solution

How should I store Levulan Kerastick?

Levulan Kerastick is usually applied by a health care provider in a clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Levulan Kerastick?

The most common side effects of Levulan Kerastick are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Redness, stinging, burning, or swelling of the skin
  • Crusting, scaling, oozing, itchy, or dry skin
  • Changes in the color of the skin

There may be other side effects of Levulan Kerastick that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Levulan Kerastick?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Levulan Kerastick are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Levulan Kerastick may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Sensitivity to Light. For the first 40 hours after Levulan Kerastick is applied, your skin will be very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps, tanning beds, or bright indoor lights (including operating room or exam lights). This is called photosensitivity. Because of the way Levulan Kerastick works, sunscreen will not protect your skin from light during this time. Instead, you should avoid these forms of light completely or wear protective clothing, such as a hat, gloves, and clothes that cover your skin. Exposure to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. Tell your health care provider right away if any of these happen.

Memory Problems. Some people who use Levulan Kerastick have had temporary memory problems. Call your health care provider right away if you feel confused, disoriented, or have problems with your memory during or after treatment with Levulan Kerastick and blue light.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Levulan Kerastick?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Levulan Kerastick.

  • Aminolevulinic acid
  • Levulan Kerastick
  • Any chemicals known as porphyrins
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Levulan Kerastick.

Porphyria. People with a rare inherited disorder called porphyria should not use Levulan Kerastick.

Sensitivity to Blue Light. People whose skin is sensitive to certain types of blue light (specifically, a wavelength of 400-450 nanometers) should not use Levulan Kerastick. 

What should I know about Levulan Kerastick before using it?

Levulan Kerastick is a liquid that is applied to spots on your skin by a health care provider in a clinic. Follow your health care provider’s instructions about proper use of this medicine.

After Levulan Kerastick is applied to your skin, you will return to the clinic for treatment with blue light. Do not wash the skin that has been treated with Levulan Kerastick until after you have received your blue light treatment. You will sit in front of the blue light for 16 minutes and 40 seconds while wearing protective eyeglasses. During the blue light treatment, you may feel stinging, tingling, or burning on the areas of your skin where Levulan Kerastick was applied.

A few hours will pass between the time that Levulan Kerastick is applied and your blue light treatment. If the skin spots are on your arms or hands, you will have blue light treatment 3 hours after Levulan Kerastick is applied. If the spots are on your face or scalp, you will have blue light treatment 14 to 18 hours after the medicine is applied.

After Levulan Kerastick is applied to your skin, you must keep the treated skin out of the sun or any bright light for at least 40 hours. Sunscreen will not protect the treated skin from light. You must either avoid the sun and bright lights completely or wear clothing that protects the skin, such as a hat, long-sleeve shirt, and gloves. If you notice any stinging or burning, you should reduce your light exposure.

It is normal to have redness and swelling on the treated areas for 4 to 8 weeks after receiving your blue light treatment. Call your health care provider if any skin irritation lasts for longer than 8 weeks.

If you have actinic keratoses on more than one part of your body, your health care provider may only treat one part of your body at a time. You can have another treatment 8 weeks later.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Levulan Kerastick?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Levulan Kerastick is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Blood Clotting Problems. Let your health care provider know if you have a blood clotting disorder. 

Other Medicines and Supplements. Levulan Kerastick may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Levulan Kerastick, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Levulan Kerastick could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Levulan Kerastick passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Levulan Kerastick?

For more information about Levulan Kerastick, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.levulan.com or call them at 877-533-3872.

Interactions

Does Levulan Kerastick interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Levulan Kerastick and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Levulan Kerastick.

Does Levulan Kerastick interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

 In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any other medicines that can increase your sensitivity to light, such as the following.

  • A phenothiazine, such as chlorpromazine or prochlorperazine (Compro and others), which is a medicine that may be used to treat certain mental health conditions or severe nausea and vomiting
  • A sulfonamide, such as sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole (SMX), or sulfacetamide
  • A sulfonylurea, such as glimepiride, glipizide, or glyburide, which is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes
  • A tetracycline, such as doxycycline, minocycline, omadacycline (Nuzyra), sarecycline (Seysara), or tetracycline, which is a medicine used to treat infections or other conditions
  • A thiazide diuretic, such as hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, or indapamide, which is a medicine commonly used to lower blood pressure
  • Griseofulvin, which is a medicine used to treat certain fungal infections
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
  • Any other medicine that can make you sensitive to the sun

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Levulan Kerastick. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Levulan Kerastick?

If you or someone else has used too much Levulan Kerastick, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Levulan Kerastick?

Levulan Kerastick is applied by a health care provider in a clinic. Once it is applied, you will be scheduled to come back for treatment with blue light either 3 hours or 14 to 18 hours later. If you miss your appointment for blue light treatment, call your health care provider right away. It is important to protect treated skin from the sun or bright light for at least 40 hours after Levulan Kerastick is applied, even if you miss your blue light appointment.