Aminolevulinic Acid Hydrochloride

Generic Name: aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride

Over-the-Counter (OTC)

Brand Names:

Gleolan

11 DESCRIPTION 11.1 Chemical Properties Gleolan (aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride) is an optical imaging agent for oral solution. The 50-mL, clear vial contains 1,500 mg of lyophilized aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride powder (equivalent to 1,170 mg aminolevulinic acid). After reconstitution, the product has a concentration of 30 mg aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride per mL (equivalent to 23.4 mg aminolevulinic acid per mL). The chemical name is 5-amino-4-oxo-pentanoic acid hydrochloride.

Overview

11 DESCRIPTION 11.1 Chemical Properties Gleolan (aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride) is an optical imaging agent for oral solution. The 50-mL, clear vial contains 1,500 mg of lyophilized aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride powder (equivalent to 1,170 mg aminolevulinic acid). After reconstitution, the product has a concentration of 30 mg aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride per mL (equivalent to 23.4 mg aminolevulinic acid per mL). The chemical name is 5-amino-4-oxo-pentanoic acid hydrochloride.

Uses

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Gleolan is indicated in patients with glioma [suspected World Health Organization (WHO) Grades III or IV on preoperative imaging] as an adjunct for the visualization of malignant tissue during surgery. Gleolan is an optical imaging agent indicated in patients with glioma (suspected World Health Organization Grades III or IV on preoperative imaging) as an adjunct for the visualization of malignant tissue during surgery. ( 1 )

Dosage

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For oral use only ( 2.1 ) Recommended reconstituted oral dose of Gleolan is 20 mg/kg. ( 2.1 ) Administer Gleolan to patient orally 3 hours (range 2 to 4 hours) before anesthesia. ( 2.1 ) See Full Prescribing Information for reconstitution information. ( 2.2 ) Use appropriate visualization techniques with appropriate surgical microscopes and light source filters. ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Recommended Dose For oral use only The recommended oral dose of reconstituted Gleolan is 20 mg / kg body weight. More than 1 vial may be required.

Side Effects

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS 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 week following surgery were pyrexia, hypotension, nausea, and vomiting. Adverse reactions occurring in the first 6 weeks after surgery in 1% of patients included aphasia (8%), hemiparesis (7.8%), hemianopsia (3.2%), headache (2.7%), seizure (1.9%), hemiplegia (1.9%), monoparesis (1.3%) and hypoesthesia (1.1%). Brain edema occurred in < 1 % of patients in the first 6 weeks after surgery.

Interactions

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 ALA for 24 hours before and after administration of Gleolan.

Warnings

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 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 , 14 ) 5.1 Risk of Phototoxic Reaction Due to the risk of phototoxic reactions, do not administer phototoxic drugs (St. 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS 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 )

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available human data on Gleolan in pregnant women to inform a drug associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed with oral ALA HCl administration to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis at doses 3 times the maximum recommended human oral dose (see Data) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S.

Storage

16.2 Storage and Handling Store at 25 °C (77 °F); excursions permitted to 15-30 °C (59-86 °F).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Aminolevulinic Acid Hydrochloride used for?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Gleolan is indicated in patients with glioma [suspected World Health Organization (WHO) Grades III or IV on preoperative imaging] as an adjunct for the visualization of malignant tissue during surgery. Gleolan is an optical imaging agent indicated in patients with glioma (suspected World Health Organization Grades III or IV on preoperative imaging) as an adjunct for the visualization of malignant tissue during surgery. ( 1 )

What are the side effects of Aminolevulinic Acid Hydrochloride?

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS 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 week following surgery were pyrexia, hypotension, nausea, and vomiting. Adverse reactions occurring in the first 6 weeks after surgery in 1% of patients included aphasia (8%), hemiparesis (7.8%), hemianopsia (3.2%), headache (2.7%), seizure (1.9%), hemiplegia (1.9%), monoparesis (1.3%) and hypoesthesia (1.1%). Brain edema occurred in < 1 % of patients in the first 6 weeks after surgery.

Can I take Aminolevulinic Acid Hydrochloride during pregnancy?

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available human data on Gleolan in pregnant women to inform a drug associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed with oral ALA HCl administration to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis at doses 3 times the maximum recommended human oral dose (see Data) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S.

What are the important warnings for Aminolevulinic Acid Hydrochloride?

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 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 , 14 ) 5.1 Risk of Phototoxic Reaction Due to the risk of phototoxic reactions, do not administer phototoxic drugs (St. 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS 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 )

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Medical Disclaimer

This drug information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Drug information is sourced from the FDA National Drug Code Directory and Structured Product Labeling. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.