Drug interactions
Aminolevulinic acid + Tretinoin
Severity: Moderate
Aminolevulinic acid and Tretinoin: 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
Oral aminolevulinic acid causes protoporphyrin IX accumulation and photosensitivity. Tretinoin can increase skin sensitivity to light, so phototoxic reactions such as severe sunburn may be worse. Systemic tretinoin is the main concern; topical use adds little.
What this interaction means in plain words
Aminolevulinic acid and Tretinoin 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; Tretinoin belongs to Dermatology.
Why it happens
Additive photosensitizing effects from two agents that increase the skin's reactivity to light.
What to do
Counsel strict photoprotection and avoid sun and bright light exposure after aminolevulinic acid for the period specified in labeling. Avoid giving other photosensitizers perioperatively around dosing.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Aminolevulinic acid and Tretinoin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Tretinoin
- Doxycycline + Tretinoin Major
- Minocycline + Tretinoin Major
- Omadacycline + Tretinoin Major
- Palovarotene + Tretinoin Major
- Sarecycline + Tretinoin Major
- Tetracycline + Tretinoin Major
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 Tretinoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Aminolevulinic acid and Tretinoin 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. Oral aminolevulinic acid causes protoporphyrin IX accumulation and photosensitivity. Tretinoin can increase skin sensitivity to light, so phototoxic reactions such as severe sunburn may be worse. Systemic tretinoin is the main concern; topical use adds little.
How serious is the interaction between Aminolevulinic acid and Tretinoin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel strict photoprotection and avoid sun and bright light exposure after aminolevulinic acid for the period specified in labeling. Avoid giving other photosensitizers perioperatively around dosing.
What other medicines interact with Tretinoin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tretinoin with, for example, Doxycycline, Minocycline, Omadacycline. The full list is on the Tretinoin page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
