Chemical formula: C₅H₉NO₃ Molecular mass: 131.13 g/mol PubChem compound: 137
5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a natural biochemical precursor of heme that is metabolised in a series of enzymatic reactions to fluorescent porphyrins, particularly PPIX. 5-ALA synthesis is regulated by an intracellular pool of free heme via a negative feedback mechanism. Administration of excess exogenous 5-ALA avoids the negative feedback control, and accumulation of PPIX occurs in target tissue. In the presence of visible light, fluorescence of PPIX (photodynamic effect) in certain target tissues can be used for photodynamic diagnosis.
This medicinal substance has been classified in the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification according to its main therapeutic use as follows:
| ATC code | Group title | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| L01XD04 | Aminolevulinic acid | L Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents → L01 Antineoplastic agents → L01X Other antineoplastic agents → L01XD Sensitizers used in photodynamic/radiation therapy |
Competent medicine agencies globally have authorized commercialization of this active ingredient according to these medication package inserts (MPIs):
| Title | Information Source | Document Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLIOLAN Powder for oral solution | European Medicines Agency (EU) | MPI, EU: SmPC | |
| AMELUZ Gel | FDA, National Drug Code (US) | MPI, US: SPL/PLR |
Aminolevulinic acid is an active ingredient of these brands:
United States (US)Austria (AT)Canada (CA)
Croatia (HR)
Cyprus (CY)
Estonia (EE)Finland (FI)France (FR)Hong Kong (HK)
Ireland (IE)Italy (IT)
Lithuania (LT)Netherlands (NL)New Zealand (NZ)
Poland (PL)Romania (RO)
Singapore (SG)
United Kingdom (UK)Note the following: The list of brand names is continuously updated, and thus does not include the total of products circulating worldwide. |
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