Porfimer Sodium, Injection POR-fi-mer SOH-dee-um

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: porfimer sodium, injection; Photofrin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to treat lung cancer, cancer of the esophagus (throat), and Barrett's esophagus. It makes cancer cells more sensitive to light than normal cells. You will be treated with laser light after receiving this medicine.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• erosion in the trachea or esophagus
• porphyria (a condition that makes you more sensitive to the sun)

Tell your provider if you have recently had radiation therapy.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not become pregnant or breast-feed during this treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider if you need birth control. Also, contact your healthcare provider at the first sign of pregnancy.

How do I use it?

The treatment is given in two parts. First, the medicine is injected by a healthcare provider trained in the use of this medicine. The second part is directing laser light at the tumor 40 to 50 hours after the injection. A second laser light treatment may be given 96 to 120 hours after the injection. The two-part treatment (injections and laser light) may be repeated 1 or 2 more times, with 30 days between treatments. Your healthcare provider will explain the entire treatment, which is called photodynamic therapy.

What should I watch out for?

While you are receiving this medicine, you will become very sensitive to light. Do not expose your skin and eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for at least 30 days after the injection. Exposure to sunlight will make you sunburn very quickly. Bright indoor light may cause a rash or blistering of your skin. Sunscreens will not protect you. Low indoor light actually helps your treatment. Therefore, do not stay in a darkened room.

For 30 to 90 days after the injection, wear dark sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight and bright lights.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain; fast heartbeat; trouble breathing or swallowing; severe fever and chills; blisters; redness; or swelling of skin; severe throat pain; blood in your sputum; increased tiredness or weakness; swelling of the lower legs or feet.

Other: Fever, stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, vision changes.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• allopurinol (Zyloprim, Lopurin)
• antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), demeclocycline, doxycycline (Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), minocycline (Minocin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and tetracycline
• beta-carotene
• calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia XY, Dilacor), felodipine, isradipine (DynaCirc), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nicardipine (Cardene), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
• corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone, prednisolone, and triamcinolone (Aristospan, Kenalog)
• griseofulvin (Gris-Peg, Grifulvin V)
• mannitol
• medicines for diabetes such as chlorpropamide, glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase), tolazamide, and tolbutamide
• medicines that affect blood clotting such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dabigatran (Pradaxa), dalteparin (Fragmin), dipyridamole (Persantine), dipyridamole/aspirin (Aggrenox), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, prasugrel (Effient), and warfarin (Coumadin)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine
• sulfa medicines such as sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) and sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin)
• thiazide diuretics, such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), and hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene (Dyazide, Maxzide)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.