Porfimer

Generic name: Porfimer
Brand names: Photofrin
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (75 mg)
Drug class: Malignancy photosensitizers

Usage of Porfimer

Porfimer is used together with "photodynamic" laser light therapy to reduce the size of tumors in the lungs or esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth and stomach).

Porfimer may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Porfimer side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Porfimer may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • fever, chills, chest pain;
  • if you feel very thirsty or hot, are unable to urinate, and have heavy sweating or hot and dry skin;
  • low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet;
  • fluid build-up in or around the lungs--pain when you breathe, feeling short of breath while lying down, wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus, cold and clammy skin, anxiety, rapid heartbeats;
  • signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or
  • signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.
  • Common side effects of porfimer may include:

  • chest pain, breathing problems, fluid around your lungs;
  • fever, sore throat, cough;
  • anemia;
  • being more sensitive to light;
  • nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation;
  • trouble swallowing, coughing up blood;
  • pain, back pain;
  • sleep problems (insomnia); or
  • dehydration.
  • This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Porfimer

    You should not receive porfimer if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system);
  • a fistula (abnormal passageway) in the throat or esophagus;
  • esophageal bleeding; or
  • a tumor that affects a large blood vessel.
  • Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • heart disease;
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • late-stage cancer;
  • a stroke or blood clot; or
  • if you are receiving radiation treatment.
  • You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

    Both men and women using this medicine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Porfimer can harm an unborn baby if the mother or father is using this medicine.

    Keep using birth control for at least 5 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using porfimer.

    Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 5 months after your last dose.

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    How to use Porfimer

    Porfimer is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

    Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when porfimer is injected.

    You will receive laser light treatment within 40 to 50 hours after your porfimer infusion. A second laser light treatment may be given within 96 to 120 hours after your infusion.

    Porfimer will make your skin and eyes more sensitive to sunlight. For at least 30 days after you are treated with porfimer, you must protect your eyes and skin from natural sunlight and bright indoor lights (such as lights in a doctor's office, operating room lamps, tanning beds, bright halogen lights, or unshaded light bulbs).

    Keep all parts of your skin covered with clothing and wear dark sunglasses when you are outdoors. Sunscreen will not protect you from severe sunburn during the 30-day period after your treatment with porfimer.

    Your sensitivity to light may last for up to 90 days or longer. Ask your doctor to determine if your skin is still sensitive to sunlight.

  • Expose a small area of skin to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for about 10 minutes.
  • Do not use the skin on your face or around your eyes to test for light sensitivity.
  • If the exposed skin develops redness, swelling, or blistering within 24 hours, wait another 2 weeks before testing again.
  • Test your skin again if your sunlight exposure will increase due to travel or relocation within 90 days after you receive porfimer.
  • Exposure to sunlight shining through a window is not as harmful and can help your body eliminate porfimer. Follow your doctor's instructions about the best amount of light exposure.

    You may need frequent medical tests or a biopsy every 3 months.

    If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using porfimer for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are being treated with porfimer.

    Warnings

    You should not receive porfimer if you have porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system), esophageal bleeding, a fistula (abnormal passageway) in the throat or esophagus, or a tumor that affects a large blood vessel.

    What other drugs will affect Porfimer

    Porfimer can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. This effect may be increased when you also use certain other medicines, including: antibiotics, heart or blood pressure medication, certain anti-psychotic medication, or medicine to control severe nausea and vomiting.

    Other drugs may affect porfimer, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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