Metvix® Frequently Asked Questions

The following is general information about Metvix®. If you are a patient who has been prescribed Metvix®, always read the Patient Information Leaflet that is supplied with the product. Your Healthcare Professional will be able to answer any further questions specific to your condition and treatment.

What is Metvix®?

  • Metvix® is the trade name for methyl aminolevulinate cream (160 mg/g), made by PhotoCure and distributed by Galderma.
  • PDT is the abbreviation for Photodynamic Therapy - the medical term for treatment using a specific source of light.

How Does it Work?

Metvix® therapy involves treating an affected area of skin with Metvix® cream followed by shining a specially developed red light on the area to eliminate the diseased skin cells, while helping to preserve healthy tissues. The Metvix® cream penetrates the diseased cells and makes them sensitive to the wavelength of light used.

What is Metvix® Used For?

Metvix® is used to treat certain types of Non-Malignant Skin Cancer (often abbreviated to NMSC or simply termed 'lesions'). These are Basal Cell Carcinoma (abbreviated to BCC), Actinic Keratosis (abbreviated to AK - sometimes called solar keratosis) and Bowen's Disease (abbreviated to BD). Your doctor will be able to tell you which particular condition is being treated in your case.

What are the Major Benefits of Metvix®?

Metvix® typically combines a high rate of efficacy with a good cosmetic outcome. It is also convenient for treating multiple skin lesions simultaneously.

Is Metvix® Suitable for Me?

Your doctor will be able to determine whether your condition is suitable for treatment with Metvix®, and whether your condition is likely to respond well to this treatment. Some people are not suitable for treatment with Metvix®.

It is not suitable for patients who:

  • Are hypersensitive (allergic) to methyl aminolevulinate or any of the other ingredients: glyceryl monostearate, cetostearyl alcohol, polyoxol 40 stearate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), disodium edetate, glycerol, white soft paraffin, cholesterol, ispropyl myristate, arachis (peanut) oil, almond oil, oleyl alcohol, purified water.
  • Suffer from a type of skin cancer called morpheaform basal cell carcinoma
  • Suffer from porphyria
  • Are allergic to peanut oil or soya.

In What Circumstances Do I Need to Take Special Care?

Your doctor will advise special care if:

  • Your skin lesions are of a particular type (dark colour or spreading below)
  • You are receiving UV therapy (this will need to be stopped)
  • You have thick AK lesions unsuitable for Metvix®

Also:

  • Treatment with Metvix® is not recommended during pregnancy, and breast feeding should be stopped during treatment and for two days afterwards.

Will Metvix® Affect My Ability to Drive?

No, you can still safely drive a car or operate machinery after treatment with Metvix®

What happens During Treatment with Metvix®?

  • The procedure will be carried out by Healthcare Professionals. It will consist of the following four simple steps:
    • Preparation of the skin lesions by removing scales/roughening of the skin surface. This will help Metvix® to penetrate the affected skin areas
    • Metvix® cream will be applied to these affected areas and a small area of surrounding skin
    • The treated area will be covered with a dressing and left for 3 hours
    • After this period the treated area will be exposed to a special light (you will be asked to wear goggles to protect your eyes)

Depending on the actual condition treated, and the response, the treatment may be repeated a few weeks or months later.

What Are the Possible Side Effects?

As with all medicines, patients treated with Metvix® may experience side effects. These are generally mild/moderate and short-lived.

Not everyone experiences pain but it is reasonably common to experience some local discomfort at the treatment site during and after light exposure (e.g. burning, stinging, pricking or tingling sensation). Although most patients do not require it, simple analgesics or skin cooling can ease the discomfort if necessary. The doctor can also pause the light treatment if necessary.

Other skin reactions (in less than 10% of patients) include crusting, ulceration, blisters, skin weeping, infection, peeling, bleeding or discolouration.

Skin reactions diminish over time. Any pain typically lasts only a few hours and generally resolves within a day. Swelling and redness can persist for 1-2 weeks.

You should avoid getting Metvix® in your eyes.

Be sure to tell your Doctor if you have any problems.

What Happens After Treatment?

You should protect the treated area from sunlight for two days after treatment and keep it clean. Your Doctor will assess your condition at a follow-up appointment and advise you on any further treatment, as necessary.

Be sure to tell your Doctor if you have any problems.

Will I Scar?

Metvix® is selective for abnormal cells. This means it has a very low potential for causing scarring compared with many other treatments. Cosmetic outcomes are generally very good.