Porfimer (Systemic)

Brand Names : Photofrin

Before Receiving This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For porfimer, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to porfimer. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Porfimer has not been studied in humans. However, it has caused harm to the fetus in animals. It is best to use some kind of birth control while you are receiving porfimer. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether porfimer passes into breast milk. However, because this medicine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving it.

Children - There is no specific information comparing use of porfimer in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Porfimer has been studied in elderly patients. It has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are being treated with porfimer, it is important that your health care professional know if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of porfimer. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Porphyria