Alacare (aminolevulinic acid)

Alacare is a medicated patch (plaster) containing 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), developed by photonamic GmbH & Co. KG for the treatment of actinic keratosis. It is designed for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT). When applied to the skin, the 5-ALA in the patch is absorbed by the lesion and metabolized via the heme biosynthetic pathway into protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), a potent photosensitizer. Upon subsequent exposure to red light, PpIX absorbs the energy and reacts with oxygen to produce singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS cause oxidative damage to cellular components, leading to the selective destruction of the dysplastic keratinocytes. The patch formulation provides a standardized dose of 4 mg 5-ALA per patch (8 mg/cm²), simplifying the application process compared to traditional gels or creams. It is primarily indicated for mild actinic keratosis on the face and scalp, with ongoing research into its efficacy for lesions on the upper extremities.

Brand names

Alacare

Other names

5-aminolevulinic acid5-ALAaminolevulinic acid hydrochloride