What is the Brand Name for Aminolevulinic Acid? An In-Depth Examination

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Aminolevulinic acid

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Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a naturally occurring compound crucial to the production of heme in the body, has become essential in modern medicine for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Where once it was simply viewed as a biochemical intermediate, today ALA is used as a photosensitizing agent in photodynamic therapy, and aids the visualization of certain cancerous tissues during surgery. As clinical and research uses have expanded, it is important for healthcare professionals, patients, and researchers to understand under what brand names Aminolevulinic acid is manufactured, marketed, and prescribed.

This article offers a detailed look at the major brand names for Aminolevulinic acid, their medical uses and key differences, providing context for choosing the right product for specific conditions.

Aminolevulinic Acid: A Medical Overview

Aminolevulinic acid, often called 5-aminolevulinic acid or 5-ALA, is a precursor to heme—the iron-containing molecule in red blood cells. In medicine, the spectrum of ALA’s utility has broadened significantly due to a unique property: once administered, certain cells convert ALA to protoporphyrin IX, which can be activated by light for therapeutic or diagnostic gain. This underlying mechanism forms the basis for its use in photodynamic therapy and as a fluorescent marker during surgery.

Main Brand Names for Aminolevulinic Acid

Several brand names for aminolevulinic acid exist globally, depending largely on their clinical application, authorized use, and pharmaceutical formulation. The most important and widely known brand names include:

• Levulan (Levulan Kerastick)

• Ameluz

• Gliolan

• ALA HCl Supplements (nutraceuticals and over-the-counter products)

• Each brand name targets a specific medical indication and is formulated uniquely to fit its purpose.

• Levulan Kerastick (5-aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride)

The brand name Levulan Kerastick refers to a topical preparation of aminolevulinic acid, specifically formulated and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat actinic keratosis—a precancerous skin lesion commonly found on sun-exposed areas such as the face and scalp. Levulan Kerastick consists of a 20% solution of 5-ALA hydrochloride. After application by a healthcare professional, the treated skin is exposed to blue light, triggering activation and destruction of damaged cells.

Levulan Kerastick is applied in a doctor’s office, and the patient’s skin is exposed to targeted blue light (photodynamic therapy).

It is intended for clinical use only; potential reactions may include temporary redness, burning, swelling, and sensitivity to sunlight for several days following treatment.

Ameluz (5-aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride gel)

Ameluz is another well-established prescription brand of aminolevulinic acid, approved for photodynamic therapy of actinic keratosis—commonly covering a broader field of affected skin than Levulan Kerastick. It is a 10% gel, and, in Europe, is also approved for treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas.

Ameluz gel is applied topically and typically activated by red light rather than blue light.

One advantage of the gel is its spreadability, which allows more uniform treatment of larger affected areas.

Gliolan (5-aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride)

Gliolan stands apart from Levulan and Ameluz in its application and route of administration. Instead of being used for skin lesions, Gliolan is given orally—usually as a drink—before surgery on patients with suspected malignant brain tumors (high-grade gliomas). Gliolan causes glioma tissue to become fluorescent under specific types of light, allowing neurosurgeons to identify and remove tumor tissue more precisely during an operation.

Gliolan is approved in Europe, the United Kingdom, and several other regions. In the United States, a similar formulation branded as Gleolan is approved for the same indication.

The drug is often administered 2 to 4 hours prior to surgery to enable optimal tumor visualization.

Nutraceutical and Supplement Forms

In addition to prescription medical uses, there are also nutraceutical or supplement formulations of aminolevulinic acid. These are generally marketed for broad “energy” or “cellular health” purposes and lack the specific clinical validation found in pharmaceutical brands. Importantly, these supplements are not interchangeable with prescription products and are not approved for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions.

Selecting the Appropriate Brand and Formulation

The selection of an aminolevulinic acid brand relies primarily on the medical indication and required method of administration:

Levulan Kerastick and Ameluz are most commonly chosen for dermatological applications, mainly for treating actinic keratosis.

Gliolan (or Gleolan in the U.S.) is the preferred choice for aiding brain tumor resections.

Over-the-counter supplements containing ALA are not intended for the treatment or diagnosis of disease and should not replace prescribed therapy.

Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations

Pharmaceutical-grade ALA products such as Levulan, Ameluz, and Gliolan go through strict regulatory scrutiny and quality control for safety, efficacy, and purity in their respective countries. In contrast, dietary supplements containing ALA have much less oversight.

Medical aminolevulinic acid products can cause side effects such as skin sensitivity to light, local irritation, headache, or in rare cases, allergic reactions. All therapies with ALA must be supervised by qualified medical professionals to minimize risk and ensure effectiveness.

Conclusion

Aminolevulinic acid is available under several brand names, each formulated for specific medical or diagnostic uses. The most prominent brand names include Levulan (for dermatological photodynamic therapy), Ameluz (for broad field skin therapy), and Gliolan (for brain tumor surgery guidance). Patients and healthcare providers should be aware that formulations and indications vary, and proper selection is essential to both safety and successful outcomes. Over-the-counter or supplement versions of ALA are not appropriate substitutes for prescription products and should not be used for treating or diagnosing disease. For any therapy involving aminolevulinic acid, consultation with a healthcare professional is required to ensure safe and effective use.