Verteporfin Injection

What is this medication?

VERTEPORFIN (VER te PORE fin) treats choroidal neovascularization, the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye that can cause vision loss. It is used in combination with ultraviolet light therapy. It works by closing up leaky blood vessels. This helps maintain vision.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Visudyne

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Liver disease
• Porphyria
• Recent or ongoing radiation therapy
• An unusual or allergic reaction to verteporfin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting. This is the first step of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Your care team will numb your eye with eyedrops, and then place a special contact lens on the eye. The second step consists of shining a laser light into your eye for just over a minute to activate the medication. The laser does not use heat, so it will not burn your eye. Another course of treatment may be given in 3 months, if your vision problems recur.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medication is not for regular use. Keep follow-up appointments to check your progress. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What may interact with this medication?

• Alcohol
• Aspirin and aspirin-like medications
• Beta-carotene
• Calcium-channel blockers like diltiazem, nifedipine, and verapamil
• Certain medications for blood clots like apixaban, argatroban, bivalirudin, dabigatran, edoxaban, enoxaparin, fondaparinux, heparin, lepirudin, rivaroxaban, or warfarin
• Certain medications for diabetes like glimepiride, glipizide, or glyburide
• Dimethyl sulfoxide
• Griseofulvin
• Mannitol
• NSAIDS, medications for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• Phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• Polymyxin b
• Radiation therapy
• Sulfonamide medications like sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole or sulfasalazine
• Tetracyclines
• Thiazide diuretics like chlorthalidone or hydrochlorothiazide
• Vitamins A and E

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun or bright indoor light. Avoid exposing skin and eyes to sunlight and bright indoor lights (unshaded light bulbs at close range) for 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. However, you should not stay in the dark. Exposing your skin to indoor light helps to inactivate the drug in the skin. You can watch TV or go to the movies. Try to avoid outside activities or chores until after sundown. If you do go outside during daylight hours within the first 5 days after your treatment, wear long-sleeved shirts and slacks, preferably tight-knit, light colored fabrics, gloves, socks and shoes, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. Sunscreens will NOT protect against these reactions. Do not use sun lamps, tanning beds/booths or bright halogen lights. After 5 days, you may resume normal outdoor activities without any special precautions.

Following the injection, you may notice increased sensitivity of your eyes to sun, bright lights or car headlights for several days.

After the treatment, you may experience temporary changes in vision. This may interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery. You should avoid these activities until these symptoms go away.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Change in vision
• Chest pain
• Eye pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Blurry vision
• Dizziness
• Dry eyes
• Eye irritation or itching
• Headache
• Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
• Sensitivity to light

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.