Metvix: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Serious warnings and precautions box

What METVIX is used for:

METVIX cream is used with light therapy to treat adults with:

• a precancerous skin growth on the face and scalp called actinic keratosis (AK). METVIX cream is only used for AK skin growths that are thin and not dark coloured. The light therapies used to treat AK are daylight or red-light emitting diode (LED).
• primary superficial basal cell carcinoma (a skin cancer) when other treatments are unsuitable. METVIX cream is used for spots on the face outside of the ears, nose, upper lip, eyes and temples. The light therapy used to treat primary superficial basal cell carcinoma is LED light.

How METVIX works:

The medicinal ingredient in METVIX cream is methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride. Methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride, when it is applied to the skin, makes it light sensitive. After applying the cream to the skin, the affected areas absorb methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride from the cream. A chemical is formed, then the affected areas of the skin are exposed to light. This chemical in the presence of light kills the precancerous and cancer cells.

The ingredients in METVIX are:

Medicinal ingredient: methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride

Non-medicinal ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, cholesterol, edetate disodium dihydrate, glycerin, glyceryl monostearate SE, isopropyl myristate, methylparaben, oil of sweet almond, oleyl alcohol, peanut oil, PEG-40 stearate, propylparaben, water, white petrolatum.

METVIX comes in the following dosage form:

Cream, 168 mg/g

Do not use METVIX if:

• you are allergic to methyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride or to any of the ingredients in METVIX cream or its packaging. METVIX cream contains peanut oil and oil of sweet almond.
• you have skin sensitivity to light or porphyria.
• you have morpheaform basal cell cancer (a type of basal cell cancer).

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take METVIX. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if METVIX cream can harm your unborn baby.

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if METVIX cream passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare professional about the best way to feed your baby during METVIX cream treatment.
• have or had skin cancer or other skin growths on your body.
• have bleeding problems or use medication to prevent or treat blood clots.
• have high blood pressure. Pain associated with METVIX cream treatment may increase your blood pressure.
• are receiving ultraviolet (UV) therapy (e.g., tanning beds, phototherapy for another skin disorder).

Other warnings you should know about:

Light therapy

The site of your treatment will become sensitive to light once the cream is applied. If you are being treated with:

• Red LED light source (for AK or skin cancer):

  • You must have a special bandage to protect the area for the 3 hours before light therapy begins.
  • Avoid exposing the treated area to light. This includes sunlight or bright indoor light (e.g., examination lamps, operating room lamps, tanning beds, or lights at close proximity). Sunscreen does not protect the treated areas of your skin against sensitivity to light. Wear protective clothing (e.g. wide-brimmed hat) to protect from light.
  • Protect the treated area from extreme cold with clothing or staying indoors.
  • The cream must be rinsed off if for any reason the red-light treatment cannot be completed after application of the cream. The area where the cream was applied must be protected from natural and artificial light for at least 48 hours.

  • After the light therapy is completed:

    • The treated areas should be covered and protected from natural or artificial sunlight for at least 48 hours.

    • Redness, swelling, burning and stinging are expected as a result of the light therapy. Speak to your healthcare professional if these symptoms increase

      • in severity and last longer than 3 weeks.

    • In very rare cases, the exposure to the red LED light could develop temporary

      memory loss (including confusion or disorientation). While this side effect is rare, speak to your healthcare professional immediately if you experience this symptom.

• Daylight (for AK only)

  • This light therapy can be used if the temperature is suitable to stay comfortably outdoors for 2 hours, usually when the temperature is above 10°C and below 35°C.
  • Daylight therapy should not be used if the weather is rainy, snowy or likely to become so. Daylight conditions from November to March may not provide sufficient daylight conditions.
  • Wash the cream off with soap and water if you are unable to go outside as planned after you leave the healthcare professional’s office. Protect the area where METVIX cream was applied from natural and artificial light for at least 48 hours.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with METVIX:

• other light sensitive drugs. When used at the same time, you are at a higher risk of experiencing side effects (e.g. skin reactions when exposed to light).
• cosmetics, such as soaps and moisturizers, and sunscreens.

How to take METVIX:

• A qualified healthcare professional will apply METVIX cream in a healthcare setting.
• Your healthcare professional will decide which light therapy to use.
• Nitrile gloves should be worn when handling, applying and removing the cream.

Usual dose:

The treatment of actinic keratosis lesions consists of 1 treatment session.

The treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma consists of 2 treatment sessions . There is an interval of 7 days between the two sessions.

Your healthcare professional will evaluate your condition to determine if the treatment worked or if additional sessions are necessary. A maximum of 2 g of METVIX cream should be applied per treatment session.

Overdose:

Missed dose:

If you miss any session of your scheduled treatment, or any step of each treatment session, talk to your healthcare professional right away.

The cream must be rinsed off if for any reason you cannot complete the light therapy after application of the cream. The area where the cream was applied must be protected from natural and artificial light for at least 48 hours.

Possible side effects from using METVIX:

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking METVIX. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

Side effects may include:

• headache
• nausea
• sensitivity to light (photosensitivity)

• skin reactions, such as:

  • warm sensation, burning feeling, redness, pain, stinging, swelling, crusting, peeling, blisters, bleeding, itching, ulcers, infection/discharge
• tiredness

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting side effects

Storage:

Store refrigerated 2-8°C.

Use contents within 3 months after opening.

Should not be used after 24 hours without refrigeration.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about METVIX:

• Talk to your healthcare professional
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); Galderma Canada Inc. website https://www.galderma.com/canada; or by calling 1-800-467-2081.

Distributed by Galderma Canada Inc.

161 Bay Street, Suite 3900, PO Box 318,

Toronto, ON, M5J 2S1

Date of Authorization: 2026-07-17

METVIX is a registered trademark of Galderma Holding SA, used under license by Galderma Canada Inc.