AMELUZ® nanovesicles, composed of a lipid core surrounded by phospholipids, are thought to bind ALA and prevent its dimerization2
Hypothetical representation of skin absorption of nanovesicle formations1,4
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
In an ex vivo human skin model, upper eyelid specimens were treated with either AMELUZ® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) topical gel, 10% or a 20% ALA cream. PpIX induction and penetration depth were analyzed.5
In an ex vivo human skin model, the PpIX concentration induced by AMELUZ® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) topical gel, 10% after a 3-hour incubation was more than 3-fold higher than that induced by a 20% ALA formulation and 4-fold higher after 12 hours. Number of repeats: n=8 (AMELUZ®) and n=7 (20% ALA cream).5,†
PpIX was quantified from microscopic pictures and plotted against distance from the basal membrane. The graph shows the spatially stratified signal intensities for AMELUZ®, 20% 5-ALA cream and placebo at 12 hours. Data are from independent experiments with skin materials from 10 different patients. Error bars depict median absolute deviation. Statistical significance determined using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA-on-ranks with Dunn's post hoc test.5,†
AMELUZ® nanovesicles, composed of a lipid core surrounded by phospholipids, are thought to bind ALA and prevent its dimerization2
Hypothetical representation of skin absorption of nanovesicle formations1,4
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
PpIX induction and penetration depth
In an ex vivo human skin model, upper eyelid specimens were treated with either AMELUZ® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) topical gel, 10% or a 20% ALA cream. PpIX induction and penetration depth were analyzed.5
In an ex vivo human skin model, the PpIX concentration induced by AMELUZ® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) topical gel, 10% after a 3-hour incubation was more than 3-fold higher than that induced by a 20% ALA formulation and 4-fold higher after 12 hours. Number of repeats: n=8 (AMELUZ®) and n=7 (20% ALA cream).5,†
PpIX was quantified from microscopic pictures and plotted against distance from the basal membrane. The graph shows the spatially stratified signal intensities for AMELUZ®, 20% 5-ALA cream and placebo at 12 hours. Data are from independent experiments with skin materials from 10 different patients. Error bars depict median absolute deviation. Statistical significance determined using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA-on-ranks with Dunn's post hoc test.5,†
AMELUZ® nanovesicles, composed of a lipid core surrounded by phospholipids, are thought to bind ALA and prevent its dimerization2
Hypothetical representation of skin absorption of nanovesicle formations1,4
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
In an ex vivo human skin model, upper eyelid specimens were treated with either AMELUZ® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) topical gel, 10% or a 20% ALA cream. PpIX induction and penetration depth were analyzed.5
In an ex vivo human skin model, the PpIX concentration induced by AMELUZ® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) topical gel, 10% after a 3-hour incubation was more than 3-fold higher than that induced by a 20% ALA formulation and 4-fold higher after 12 hours. Number of repeats: n=8 (AMELUZ®) and n=7 (20% ALA cream).5,†
PpIX was quantified from microscopic pictures and plotted against distance from the basal membrane. The graph shows the spatially stratified signal intensities for AMELUZ®, 20% 5-ALA cream and placebo at 12 hours. Data are from independent experiments with skin materials from 10 different patients. Error bars depict median absolute deviation. Statistical significance determined using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA-on-ranks with Dunn's post hoc test.5,†
AMELUZ®, in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) using BF-RhodoLED® or RhodoLED® XL lamp, a narrowband, red light illumination source, is indicated for lesion-directed and field-directed treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs) of mild-to-moderate severity on the face and scalp.
AMELUZ®, containing 10% aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride, is a non-sterile gel formulation for topical use only. Not for ophthalmic, oral, or intravaginal use.
AMELUZ®, in conjunction with lesion preparation, is only to be administered by a health care provider. Photodynamic therapy with AMELUZ® involves preparation of lesions, application of the product, occlusion and illumination with BF-RhodoLED® or RhodoLED® XL. The application area should not exceed 20 cm2 and no more than 2 grams of AMELUZ® (one tube) should be used at one time. Lesions that have not completely resolved shall be retreated 3 months after the initial treatment. Refer to BF-RhodoLED® or RhodoLED® XL user manual for detailed lamp safety and operating instructions. Both patient and medical personnel conducting the PDT should adhere to all safety instructions.
AMELUZ® shall not be used by persons who have known hypersensitivity to porphyrins or any of the components of AMELUZ®, which includes soybean phosphatidylcholine. AMELUZ® should also not be used for patients who have porphyria or photodermatoses.
Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with the use of AMELUZ® prior to photodynamic therapy (PDT). AMELUZ® should be washed off and appropriate therapy instituted. Inform patients and their caregivers that AMELUZ® may cause hypersensitivity, potentially including severe courses (anaphylaxis).
Transient Amnestic Episodes have been reported during postmarketing use of AMELUZ® in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT). If patients experience amnesia or confusion, discontinue treatment. Advise them to contact the healthcare provider if the patient develops amnesia after treatment.
Eye exposure to the red light of the BF-RhodoLED® or RhodoLED® XL lamp during PDT must be prevented by protective eyewear. Direct staring into the light source must be avoided. AMELUZ® increases photosensitivity. Patients should avoid sunlight, prolonged or intense light (e.g., tanning beds, sun lamps) on lesions and surrounding skin treated with AMELUZ® for approximately 48 hours following treatment whether exposed to illumination or not.
AMELUZ® has not been tested on patients with inherited or acquired coagulation disorders. Special care should be taken to avoid bleeding during lesion preparation in such patients. Any bleeding must be stopped before application of the gel. AMELUZ® should not be used on mucous membranes or in the eyes.
Local skin reactions at the application site were observed in about 99.5% of subjects treated with AMELUZ® and narrow spectrum lamps. The very common adverse reactions (≥10%) during and after PDT were application site erythema, pain/burning, irritation, edema, pruritus, exfoliation, scab, induration, and vesicles. Most adverse reactions occurred during illumination or shortly afterwards, were generally of mild or moderate intensity, and lasted for 1 to 4 days in most cases; in some cases, however, they persisted for 1 to 2 weeks or even longer. Severe pain/burning occurred in up to 30% of treatments.
There have been no formal studies of the interaction of AMELUZ® with other drugs. Concomitant use of the following photosensitizing medications may increase the phototoxic reactions after PDT: St. John’s wort, griseofulvin, thiazide diuretics, sulfonylureas, phenothiazines, sulphonamides, quinolones, and tetracyclines.
There are no available data on AMELUZ® use in pregnant women to inform a drug associated risk. No data are available regarding the presence of aminolevulinic acid in human milk, the effects of aminolevulinic acid on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 18 have not been established as AK is not a condition generally seen in the pediatric population. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
References: 1. Reinhold U. A review of BF-200 ALA for the photodynamic treatment of mild-to-moderate actinic keratosis. Future Oncol. 2017;13(27):2413-2428. 2. Maisch T, Santarelli F, Schreml S, et al. Fluorescence induction of protoporphyrin IX by a new 5-aminolevulinic acid nanoemulsion used for photodynamic therapy in a full-thickness ex vivo skin model. Exp Dermatol. 2010;19(8):e302-e305. 3. Reinhold U, Dirschka T, Ostendorf R, et al. A randomized, double-blind, phase III, multicentre study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BF-200 ALA (Ameluz) vs. placebo in the field-directed treatment of mild-to-moderate actinic keratosis with photodynamic therapy (PDT) when using the BF-RhodoLED lamp. Br J Dermatol. 2016;175(4):696-705. 4. Rai VK, Mishra N, Yadav KS, Yadav NP. Nanoemulsion as pharmaceutical carrier for dermal and transdermal drug delivery: formulation development, stability issues, basic considerations and applications. J Control Release. 2018;270:203-225. 5. Schmitz L, Novak B, Hoeh AK, Luebbert H, Dirschka T. Epidermal penetration and protoporphyrin IX formation of two different 5-aminolevulinic acid formulations in ex vivo human skin. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2016;14:40-46.