In this Article

• What is verteporfin (Visudyne)?
• What are the possible side effects of verteporfin (Visudyne)?
• What is the most important information I should know about verteporfin (Visudyne)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive verteporfin (Visudyne)?
• How is verteporfin given (Visudyne)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Visudyne)?
• What happens if I overdose (Visudyne)?
• What should I avoid after I receive verteporfin (Visudyne)?
• What other drugs will affect verteporfin (Visudyne)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Visudyne)?

Since verteporfin is given by a healthcare professional only in preparation for laser light treatment, you will not be on a dosing schedule.

What happens if I overdose (Visudyne)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include severely decreased vision.

What should I avoid after I receive verteporfin (Visudyne)?

Verteporfin will make your eyes and your skin more sensitive to light. Natural sunlight and bright indoor light can expose you to harmful UV rays, which may cause severe sunburn or damage to your vision.

Avoid exposure to sunlight, tanning beds, bright halogen lights, or other bright lighting for at least 5 days after you are treated with verteporfin.

To avoid exposing your skin to sunlight, keep all parts of your skin covered with clothing. Sunscreen will not be effective in protecting you from UV rays during the 5-day period after you have received verteporfin.

Verteporfin can cause side effects that may impair your vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

What other drugs will affect verteporfin (Visudyne)?

The following drugs can interact with verteporfin. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• dimethyl sulfoxide (Rimso-50);
• griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grisactin);
• polymyxin B (Polytrim, AK-Poly-Bac, Ocumycin, Polysporin Ophthalmic, Polytracin Ophthalmic);
• diabetes medications you take by mouth;
• birth control pills;
• a diuretic (water pill);
• a sulfa drug (Bactrim, Gantanol, Septra, and others);
• medication used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and urokinase (Abbokinase);
• medicine to treat mental illness, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine);
• an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others;
• a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap); or
• a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with verteporfin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about verteporfin.

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.

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