Drug interactions
Aminolevulinic acid + Pirfenidone
Severity: Moderate
Aminolevulinic acid and Pirfenidone: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs cause photosensitivity. Together they may increase the risk of phototoxic skin reactions, particularly after oral aminolevulinic acid used for surgical visualization.
What this interaction means in plain words
Aminolevulinic acid and Pirfenidone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Aminolevulinic acid belongs to Miscellaneous; Pirfenidone belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Additive phototoxicity: aminolevulinic acid causes protoporphyrin IX accumulation while pirfenidone independently sensitizes skin to light.
What to do
Avoid sun and bright light exposure per aminolevulinic acid labeling, and consider holding pirfenidone around the perioperative period for 24 hours or longer if clinically appropriate. Counsel on strict photoprotection.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Pirfenidone
Other interactions of Aminolevulinic acid
- Acitretin + Aminolevulinic acid Major
- Aminolevulinic acid + Doxycycline Major
- Aminolevulinic acid + Isotretinoin Major
- Aminolevulinic acid + Amiodarone Moderate
- Aminolevulinic acid + Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan Moderate
- Aminolevulinic acid + Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Aminolevulinic acid with Pirfenidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Aminolevulinic acid and Pirfenidone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs cause photosensitivity. Together they may increase the risk of phototoxic skin reactions, particularly after oral aminolevulinic acid used for surgical visualization.
How serious is the interaction between Aminolevulinic acid and Pirfenidone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid sun and bright light exposure per aminolevulinic acid labeling, and consider holding pirfenidone around the perioperative period for 24 hours or longer if clinically appropriate. Counsel on strict photoprotection.
What other medicines interact with Pirfenidone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pirfenidone with, for example, Carbamazepine, Ciprofloxacin, Fluvoxamine. The full list is on the Pirfenidone page.
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