Precautions:
General
Standard precautions should be taken during infusion of VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection) to avoid extravasation. Examples of standard precautions include, but are not limited to:
- A free-flowing intravenous (IV) line should be established before starting Visudyne infusion and the line should be carefully monitored.
- Due to the possible fragility of vein walls of some elderly patients, it is strongly recommended that the largest arm vein possible, preferably antecubital, be used for injection.
Small veins in the back of the hand should be avoided.
Pregnancy Risk: Category C . There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. VISUDYNE should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Breastfeeding: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from VISUDYNE, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or postpone treatment, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Interactions:
No formal drug interactions studies in humans up to date
Possible decrease activity of Verteporfin with these agants:
- alcohol,
- beta carotene,
- dimethylsulfoxide,
- formate,
- mannitol,
- calcium channel blockers
- diuretics, thiazide
- griseofulvin
- phenothiazines
- polymyxin B
- radiation therapy
- sulfonamides
- sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agents
- tetracyclines