View source for Levulan

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'''Levulan''' photodynamic therapy is a treatment method for certain [[skin]] conditions developed by [[Dusa Pharmaceuticals]]. The active ingredient is [[D-Aminolevulinic acid|δ-aminolevulinic acid]] (ALA). [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) approval for [[actinic keratosis]] was received in December [[1999]]; it is also prescribed against [[Acne vulgaris|acne]] but this is an [[off-label use]], which means it is not approved by the FDA.

A 20% solution of ALA is applied to the lesions, and after 14–18 hours wait the skin is irradiated with blue [[light]] for 15 minutes. This generates an active form of [[oxygen]] in the skin that kills [[cell (biology)|cells]] and [[bacteria]]. The treated areas are sensitive to light, and patients must protect themselves against bright [[sunlight|sunshine]] for two or three days after treatment.  Patients must stop using topical acne medicine and avoid steam rooms, hot showers, and generally protect the skin in every way possible for up to one week after treatment. 

Clinical trials indicate an 80% success rate for face [[lesion]]s and a 50% success rate for [[scalp]] lesions after a 12 week course of treatment. 

==See also==
*[[Photodynamic therapy]]
*[[Photomedicine]]

==External links==
*[http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/1999/20965lbl.pdf Prescription information]
*[http://www.dusapharma.com Homepage of Dusapharma]
*[http://www.wasauna.com/levulan.html An individuals experience with Levulan treatment]


[[Category:Dermatology]]
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