Porfimer increases the sensitivity of tissues to the effects of light. Porfimer is used before the
administration of laser light to cancerous tumors to decrease tumor size.
Porfimer is used in the treatment of some esophageal and lung cancers.
Porfimer may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking porfimer?
Do not take porfimer if you have porphyria.
Porfimer is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is unknown whether it will
harm an unborn baby.
Do not
use porfimer without first talking to your doctor if you
are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether porfimer passes into breast milk.
Do not
take
porfimer without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take porfimer?
Porfimer should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider
experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with porfimer
depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any
questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.
After porfimer has been administered, exposure to sunlight or bright indoor light
(examination lamps, dental lights, operating room lamps, tanning beds, or very close unshaded light
bulbs) must be avoided for at least 30 days. Sensitivity may last for 90 days or more. Exposure to
normal indoor light is good, as this helps the body to eliminate porfimer. Therefore, do not stay in
darkened rooms. Before exposing any area of skin to direct sunlight or bright indoor light, test for
sensitivity by exposing a small area of skin to sunlight for 10 minutes. If there is no reaction (such as
redness, blistering or swelling) within 24 hours, you can gradually increase your sun exposure time. If a
reaction does occur, wait another 2 weeks before testing again. Do not use the face or skin around the
eyes as a test area. If you travel to a place that has more sunlight, you should retest with the 10 minute
exposure procedure. Sun screens will not prevent a reaction. Sun screens stop UV (invisible) light,
while porfimer makes the skin sensitive to visible light
Your healthcare provider will store porfimer as directed by the manufacturer.
What happens if I miss a dose of porfimer?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of porfimer.
Where can I get more information about porfimer?
Your pharmacist has information about porfimer written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of porfimer?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects from porfimer, contact your doctor
immediately:
an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
shortness of breath or increased coughing;
chest pain;
bloody vomit or black, bloody, or tarry stools; or
a severe skin reaction to light such as blistering.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your
doctor if you experience
mild constipation;
nausea;
mild to moderate skin reactions such as redness, swelling,
itching, or burning sensations;
increased hair growth, skin discoloration, skin growths,
increased wrinkles, or increased skin fragility of the area treated; or
eye sensitivity to sun, bright lights, or car headlights.
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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about porfimer?
Porfimer should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider
experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
After porfimer has been administered, exposure to sunlight or bright indoor light
(examination lamps, dental lights, operating room lamps, tanning beds, or very close unshaded light
bulbs) must be avoided for at least 30 days. Sensitivity may last for 90 days or more. Exposure to
normal indoor light is good, as this helps the body to eliminate porfimer. Therefore, do not stay in
darkened rooms. Before exposing any area of skin to direct sunlight or bright indoor light, test for
sensitivity by exposing a small area of skin to sunlight for 10 minutes. If there is no reaction (such as
redness, blistering or swelling) within 24 hours, you can gradually increase your sun exposure time. If a
reaction does occur, wait another 2 weeks before testing again. Do not use the face or skin around the
eyes as a test area. If you travel to a place that has more sunlight, you should retest with the 10 minute
exposure procedure. Sun screens will not prevent a reaction. Sun screens stop UV (invisible) light,
while porfimer makes the skin sensitive to visible light
Porfimer may increase the sensitivity of the eyes to sun, bright lights, or car headlights. Dark
sunglasses which have an average white light transmittance of less than 4% should be worn when
outdoors for 30 days following treatment with porfimer.
What should I avoid while taking porfimer?
After porfimer has been administered, exposure to sunlight or bright indoor light
(examination lamps, dental lights, operating room lamps, tanning beds, or very close unshaded light
bulbs) must be avoided for at least 30 days. Sensitivity may last for 90 days or more. Exposure to
normal indoor light is good, as this helps the body to eliminate porfimer. Therefore, do not stay in
darkened rooms. Before exposing any area of skin to direct sunlight or bright indoor light, test for
sensitivity by exposing a small area of skin to sunlight for 10 minutes. If there is no reaction (such as
redness, blistering or swelling) within 24 hours, you can gradually increase your sun exposure time. If a
reaction does occur, wait another 2 weeks before testing again. Do not use the face or skin around the
eyes as a test area. If you travel to a place that has more sunlight, you should retest with the 10 minute
exposure procedure. Sun screens will not prevent a reaction. Sun screens stop UV (invisible) light,
while porfimer makes the skin sensitive to visible light
Porfimer may increase the sensitivity of the eyes to sun, bright lights, or car headlights. Dark
sunglasses which have an average white light transmittance of less than 4% should be worn when
outdoors for 30 days following treatment with porfimer.
What other drugs will affect porfimer?
Before using porfimer, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including herbal or alternative preparations. You may not be able to take
porfimer, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are
taking any of the treatments listed above.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum 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.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009