Activation, selective, 8-aminolevulinic

Skin Photodynamic therapy causes selective destruction of abnormal cells by activating a photosensitizer in the presence of oxygen. Local phototoxic reactions and pain are the most common limiting adverse reactions. In a randomized comparison in healthy volimteers of the local phototoxic response to photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid 20% or methylaminolevulinate 160 mg/g cream, pain, detection of substance P, change in fluorescence intensity from before to 5 hours after cream application, and adverse reactions not related to local phototoxicity were studied [57 ]. Aminolevulinic acid and methylaminolevulinate caused equivalent frequencies of local adverse reactions, except for a higher frequency and extent of hyperpigmentation after exposure to aminolevulinic acid for 28 days. 

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