Visudyne

Generic name: Verteporfin
Drug class: Miscellaneous antineoplastics

Usage of Visudyne

Visudyne works by enhancing the eye's sensitivity to light. This medicine affects abnormal blood vessels in the eye.

Visudyne is used together with "photodynamic" laser light therapy to treat blood vessel disorders in the eye caused by macular degeneration and other eye diseases.

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

Visudyne side effects

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

Tell your caregivers at once if you have:

severe decrease in vision;

sudden and severe pain;

severe redness or other discoloration of your eyes;

eye pain or seeing halos around lights;

feeling like you might pass out;

chest pain; or

flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

Common side effects of Visudyne may include:

slight changes in your vision, seeing flashes of light;

dry eyes;

redness, swelling, or itching of your eyelids;

headache, feeling weak or tired;

mild itching or skin rash;

constipation, nausea;

joint pain, muscle weakness;

fever, chills, flu symptoms; or

pain, swelling, bleeding, or itching where the medicine was injected.

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 Visudyne

You should not receive Visudyne if you are allergic to it, or if you have porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).

To make sure Visudyne is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

liver disease;

gallbladder disease; or

if you are receiving radiation treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Visudyne will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

Verteporfin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using verteporfin.

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How to use Visudyne

Visudyne is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. This medicine must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take at least 10 minutes to complete.

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

You will receive laser light treatment to your eye(s) within 15 minutes after the start of your Visudyne infusion.

After receiving Visudyne, you must protect your eyes from natural sunlight and bright indoor light for at least 5 days.. For best protection, wear dark sunglasses whenever you are outdoors or while indoors under bright lighting.

You should not stay in the dark while you are indoors, as this can actually cause the drug to stay active in your body longer. It is best to spend your time in ambient indoor light such as indirect sunlight through a window, or low-wattage incandescent lighting. Avoid areas where you will be exposed to halogen or fluorescent light.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Warnings

You should not receive Visudyne if you have porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).

What other drugs will affect Visudyne

Other drugs may interact with verteporfin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Visudyne. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Disclaimer

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