Metvix is a photo-sensitising cream used for  treatment of  solar keratosis (pre-cancerous sunspots) on the face and scalp which are areas of the skin that have been damaged by sunlight and become rough and scaly. Having these lesions means that you may be more likely to get skin cancer in the future unless they are treated.

 Metvix is selectively absorbed by cancer cells and converted to prophyrin (a chemical which occurs naturally inside the cells). After exposure to light, it destroys the cancer cells.  Metvix does not affect the normal skin.

 Metvix should be administered  by a  doctor, nurse or another health care professional trained in the use of photodynamic therapy. Metvix contains arachis oil (peanut oil). Do not use this product if you are allergic to peanut or soya; Metvix should be avoided if you have a rare disease called porphyria.

 After washing your face with an appropriate cleanser, a suitable chemical sunscreen will be applied to the treatment areas.  The sunscreen must not include physical filters (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide), as these filters would inhibit absorption of visible light and may impact efficacy. You doctor will remove the scales and crust  ( thick keratosis) using abrasive skin preparation pads or curettage. This will roughen the skin surface of the lesion and surrounding areas. This is recommended for optimal Metvix penetration. Once is the skin is appropriately prepared, Metvix is applied on to the treatment areas of face and / or scalp using spatula.

 You will then go outside for daylight exposure within 30 minutes of application. Daylight exposure will continue for 2 hours.  Patients receiving scalp treatment, shouldn’t wear a scarf or hat during this time. On sunny days, if you feel uncomfortable in direct sunlight, you may take shelter in the shade.

 After two hours of daylight exposure, you should remove the Metvix cream from the face, scalp with water  or an appropriate cleanser.

 As a general precaution, sun exposure on the treated lesion sites and surrounding skin should be avoided for a couple of days following treatment. Use sunscreen and moisturisers as needed.

 The treatment area can become red or crusted. Severity of skin reaction often peaks at day 2 or 3. Scale or flaking can develop. This usually resolves within 1 – 2 weeks.These skin reactions can be treated by daily use of moisturiser.

 Your doctor will decide how well each skin lesion has responded after three months and may take a small sample (biopsy) of the skin and have the cells examined. Treatment may be repeated after this period if necessary.

 Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects of this treatment includes skin reaction, scab, photosensitivity reaction and  burning sensation. Metvix has the least side effects comparing to other topical treatments like  Efudix or Picato. It is much less painful than PDT or laser.

 Metvix is a very effective treatment for sunspots, with much less side effects than other creams and more affordable than  PDT with comparable efficacy. It is an appropriate treatment for those patients who are concerned about weeks of  skin redness and irritation which is experienced by conventional treatments.