LEVULAN (aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride)

In 12 healthy subjects, the mean half-life of ALA following the recommended dose of Gleolan solution was 0.9 ± 1.2 hours (mean ± std dev) with a range of 0.8 to 1.3 hours. Maximum concentrations of the PpIX metabolite (T max for PpIX) occurred with a median of 4 hours and a range of 1.2 to 7.8 hours. The elimination half-life of PpIX was 3.6 ± 1.8 hours (mean ± std dev) with a range of 1.2 to 7.8 hours.

AbsorptionIn 12 healthy subjects, the absolute bioavailability of ALA following the recommen...

The efficacy of 20 mg / kg ALA HCl was evaluated in 3 clinical studies (Study 1-3) involving patients, ages 18 to 75 years old, who had a preoperative MRI compatible with high-grade glioma (WHO Grade III or IV) and were undergoing surgical resection. Study 1 was an open-label study of 33 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma and Study 2 was an open-label study of 36 patients with recurrent high-grade glioma. In Studies 1 and 2, after initial debulking was carried out under white light, biopsies were obtained under fluorescent light from fluorescent and nonfluorescent sites. Presence ...

Adverse reactions occurring in >1% of patients in the week following surgery were pyrexia, hypotension, nausea, and vomiting. ( 6.1 ) Adverse reactions occurring in < 1% of patients in the first 6 weeks after surgery were: chills, photosensitivity reaction, solar dermatitis, hypotension, abnormal liver function test, and diarrhea. ( 6.1 ) Neurologic events related to the surgical procedure occurred in 29% of patients and included: aphasia, hemiparesis, hemianopia, headache, seizure, hemiplegia, ...

Hypersensitivity to the aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or porphyrins. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Acute or chronic types of porphyria, due to potential ineffectiveness of the drug in these patients. Hypersensitivity to aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or porphyrins. ( 4 , 5.3 , 6.2 ) Acute or chronic types of porphyria. ( 4 )

Phototoxic reactions: Do not administer phototoxic drugs (St. John's wort, griseofulvin, thiazide diuretics, sulfonylureas, phenothiazines, sulphonamides, quinolones and tetracyclines), and topical preparations containing ALA for 24 hours during the perioperative period. Reduce exposure to sunlight or room lights for 48 hours after oral administration of Gleolan. ( 5.1 , 7 ) Risk of misinterpretation: Non-fluorescing tissue in the surgical field does not rule out the presence of tumor. ( 5.2 , 1...

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Phototoxic Drugs Patients exposed to a photosensitizing agent may experience a phototoxic skin reaction (severe sunburn). Due to the risk of possible phototoxic reactions, avoid administering phototoxic drugs such as St. John's wort, griseofulvin, thiazide diuretics, sulfonylureas, phenothiazines, sulphonamides, quinolones and tetracyclines, and topical preparations containing ...