PORFIMER SODIUM - INJECTION (Photofrin) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

porfimer sodium - injection, Photofrin (cont.)

PRECAUTIONS: Before using porfimer sodium, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to certain natural pigments (porphyrins); or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: a certain blood disorder (porphyria), certain esophagus problems (tracheoesophageal/bronchoesophageal fistula, esophageal varices, esophageal ulcers), a certain stomach problem (gastric varices).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially: radiation treatment.This medication will make your eyes and skin more sensitive to the sun and bright indoor light (e.g., unshaded light bulbs, dental lamps) for at least 30 days. Some patients have been sensitive to light for 90 days or more. Avoid direct sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Wear protective clothing and dark sunglasses when outdoors. Sunscreens will not protect your skin from this type of sun sensitivity. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any light sensitivity reactions (e.g., blistered/red/swollen skin). Also, talk with your doctor about how and when to test whether your skin is still sensitive to the sun or bright light.Exposure of the skin to normal indoor lighting will help to decrease the amount of active drug in the skin. Therefore, do not avoid indoor lighting, and expose your skin to this type of light.This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss using at least 2 reliable forms of birth control (e.g., condoms, birth control pills) while taking this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: other drugs that can make your skin sensitive to the sun (e.g., griseofulvin, tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline, sulfa antibiotics such as sulfamethoxazole, sulfonylureas such as glipizide, thiazide diuretics/"water pills" such as hydrochlorothiazide).This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.