Porfimer (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 13, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Photofrin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Uses for porfimer

Porfimer injection is used together with a special laser light to treat cancer of the esophagus (the part of the digestive tract that carries food to the stomach) and to treat a form of lung cancer. Porfimer may also treat changes in the esophagus that might lead to cancer, such as a condition called Barrett's esophagus. Porfimer belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastics.

Porfimer is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, porfimer is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

• Cancer of the biliary tract (cholangiocarcinoma), unresectable, after double stenting.

Before using porfimer

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking 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 or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of porfimer injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of porfimer injection in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with 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 receiving porfimer, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using porfimer with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acetazolamide
• Acetohexamide
• Bendroflumethiazide
• Benzthiazide
• Chlorothiazide
• Chlorpromazine
• Chlorpropamide
• Chlortetracycline
• Ciprofloxacin
• Delafloxacin
• Demeclocycline
• Dixyrazine