VERTEPORFIN

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Visudyne

GENERIC NAME(S): VERTEPORFIN

 

Description: Verteporfin, enhances the eye’s sensitivity to light and affects abnormal blood vessels in the eye.

Pharmacokinetics:

Distribution: Terminal half life: 5-6 hr. Protein binding: 90%.

Metabolism: Metabolised minimally by liver and plasma esterases to its diacid metabolite.

Excretion: Excreted via bile into faeces mainly as unchanged drug, with <0.01% in urine.

Indications:

Verteporfin is used along with laser light treatment to treat certain serious eye conditions (e.g., macular degeneration, pathologic myopia, ocular histoplasmosis).

It is used to help prevent decreased vision and blindness

Contraindications:

Should not be given to patients with porphyria or known allergic reaction to any component of this drug.

How to use verteporfin intravenous:

  • This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional as directed by your doctor.
  • Use precautions to keep the drug from leaking out of the vein while it is being given (extravasation). If leaking occurs, the injection should be stopped and a cold pack/compress should be applied to the affected area.
  • Your doctor will treat your affected eye with laser light about 15 minutes after you receive this medication. If you have any questions about the treatment, consult your doctor.
  • Wear a wristband for 5 days after receiving this drug to notify other health care professionals that you have received this drug and to remind you to avoid bright lights (e.g., halogen lights) and direct sunlight.
  • Avoid contact of this medication with the eyes and skin during preparation and handling. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection if you handle this medication. Accidental spills should be wiped up with a damp cloth and disposed of properly.

Sun exposure: After administration, care should be taken to avoid exposure of skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for 5 days.

Decrease vision: Patients who experience severe decrease of vision of 4 lines or more within 1 week after treatment should not be retreated, at least until their vision completely recovers to pretreatment levels and the potential benefits and risks of subsequent treatment are carefully considered by the treating physician.

Incompatible lasers: Use of incompatible lasers that do not provide the required characteristics of light for the photoactivation of verteporfin could result in incomplete treatment due to partial photoactivation of verteporfin, overtreatment due to overactivation of verteporfin, or damage to surrounding normal tissue.

Injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, irritation, swelling), headache, tiredness, or blurred vision may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor promptly.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

  • chest pain,
  • fainting,
  • sweating,
  • eye pain,
  • sudden change in vision

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

Overdose:

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes

Your doctor will examine your eyes 3 months after you receive verteporfin to decide if you need another treatment.

Verteporfin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

Storage

Verteporfin is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. Keep verteporfin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Brands:

No available brands containing this molecule.

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