Metvixia Side Effects

Generic name: methyl aminolevulinate topical

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 1, 2024.

Note: This document contains side effect information about methyl aminolevulinate topical. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Metvixia.

Applies to methyl aminolevulinate topical: topical cream.

Warning

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to porphyrins, peanuts or almonds, or if your skin is especially sensitive to light.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking methyl aminolevulinate topical (the active ingredient contained in Metvixia) hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe stinging, burning, redness, oozing, or swelling of treated skin areas (especially if these effects get worse or last longer than 3 weeks).

Common side effects may include:

skin redness, warmth, burning, stinging, or swelling;
blisters, skin ulcers; or
peeling or crusting of treated skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to methyl aminolevulinate topical: topical cream.

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, urticaria, . Most cases were localized to the treatment area, but rarely, erythema and swelling have been more extensive. Contact sensitization has been demonstrated in dermal safety studies.^[Ref]

Ocular

Very common (10% or more): Eyelid edema (18%):

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eye swelling, eye pain, eye irritation

Postmarketing reports: Eyelid swelling, macular edema, vitreous detachment, keratitis^[Ref]

Local

Very common (10% or more): Skin burning/pain/discomfort (86%; 20% severe), erythema (63%; 6% severe), scabbing/crusting/blister/erosions (29%; 2% severe), pruritus (22%), skin or eyelid edema (18%; 2% severe), skin exfoliation (14%; 3% severe)

Common (1% to 10%): Skin warmth (4%), application site discharge (2%), skin hemorrhage (2%), skin tightness (2%), and skin hyperpigmentation (2%)^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Application site discharge, feeling hot

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, headache

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Hypertension^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Burning sensation of the skin (50%), erythema (46%), skin pain (21%), stinging (19%), crusting (15%), skin edema (15%), pruritus/itching (13%), skin peeling (11%), blisters (11%), scab

Common (1% to 10%): Skin bleeding, skin ulceration, skin infection

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin hyperpigmentation, urticaria, rash, skin irritation, photosensitivity reaction, skin hypopigmentation, skin hyperpigmentation, heat rash, skin discomfort, wound hemorrhage

Postmarketing reports: Angioedema^[Ref]