Verteporfin, Injection ver-teh-POR-fin

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: macular degeneration therapy; photosensitizer

Generic and brand names: verteporfin, injection; Visudyne

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat blood disorders caused by:

• age-related macular degeneration (loss of vision caused by aging)
• myopia (nearsightedness)
• ocular histoplasmosis (a fungal infection of the eye)

It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

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, or to eggs
• liver disease
• porphyria (nerve pain or sensitivity to sunlight).

Also tell your provider if you have recently had radiation therapy

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Your healthcare provider will give you this medicine in a 2-step process. First you have the IV infusion of this medicine. Then laser light is shown into the retina of your eye after the IV to activate the medicine.

What should I watch out for?

If the medicine leaks onto the skin, the infusion must be stopped and cold compresses must be applied to the area. Protect the area from direct light until the swelling and discoloration have faded. This helps prevent a burn, which could be severe.

This medicine causes you to be very sensitive to sun, bright lights, or car headlights for several days. Avoid exposing your skin and eyes to sunlight and bright indoor lights for at least 5 days. If you are near a window in your home during daylight, make sure you have curtains or shades to block out direct sunlight. If you go outside during daylight hours within 5 days after your treatment, wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses. Sunscreens will NOT protect you. Ask your healthcare provider which type of sunglasses are best to wear during this time.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work within 48 hours of this treatment, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received verteporfin.

This medicine may cause blurred vision or changes in vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly.

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): Severe vision changes; skin rash or redness; fast or irregular heartbeat; red, swollen or bruised eyes; numbness or tingling in your hands or feet; chest pain during infusion of the medicine; severe dizziness or fainting; severe flushing; trouble breathing; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.

Other: Headache, dry eyes, itching eyes, trouble sleeping, dizziness, muscle weakness or joint pain, constipation, nausea, fever, chills, sore throat, cough, back pain, sweating.

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:

• antibiotics such as tetracycline (Achromycin) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra)
• antiplatelet medicines such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), and dipyridamole/aspirin (Aggrenox)
• beta-carotene supplements
• calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), felodipine, nifedipine (Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)
• griseofulvin (Gris-PEG)
• medicines to treat diabetes such as glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), and glyburide (DiaBeta)
• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, prochlorperazine, and promethazine (Phenergan)
• polymyxin B
• thiazide diuretics such as chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Microzide), and HCTZ combinations such as Maxzide and Dyazide
• warfarin (Coumadin)

Do not drink alcohol during treatment with this medicine.

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.