Photofrin Pws

The recommended dose of Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) sodium is 2 mg per kilogram of body weight. It is injected into a vein through a specially prepared site on your skin. This is followed by treatment with laser light directed at the cancer about 40 to 50 hours later.

Bladder cancer is treated with only one course of treatment. Cancer of the esophagus, endobronchial cancer, and Barrett's esophagus may require a second treatment of laser light after a further 96 to 120 hours. Up to 2 more courses of medication and light therapy may be used if necessary to treat these cancers.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. Your doctor may choose a different schedule different from those listed here.

Very careful handling of Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) is required. Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) sodium should only be given by health care professionals familiar with the use of cancer chemotherapy. It is always given under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation.

As well as killing cancer cells, Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) sodium and laser treatment can interfere with some of your normal cells. This can cause a number of side effects. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor as suggested in the "What side effects are possible with Photofrin Pws (Porfimer)?" section.

It is important Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive porfirmer sodium, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) will be stored at the hospital where you receive treatment.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Each vial contains Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) sodium 75 mg as a sterile freeze-dried cake or powder. Nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH. There are no antimicrobial preservatives or formulation excipients (nonmedicinal ingredients).

Do not take Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) sodium if you:

• are allergic to Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) sodium, porphyrins, or any ingredients of the medication
• have a bladder tumour of stage greater than T1 and has invasive cancer
• have a functional bladder capacity less than 200 mL
• have a liver condition known as porphyria
• have esophageal cancer along with tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula
• have esophageal or gastric varices or an esophageal ulcer more than 1 cm in diameter (for Barrett's esophagus)
• have had prior total bladder irradiation
• have severe acute respiratory distress caused by an obstructive endobronchial lesion
• have tumours eroding into a major blood vessel

There may be an interaction between Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) sodium and any of the following:

• acitretin
• Adapalene
• Amiodarone
• Celecoxib
• amphoteracin B
• corticosteroids (e.g., Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone, Prednisone)
• dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
• fluoroquinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, Ofloxacin)
• Fluphenazine
• griseofulvin
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Isotretinoin
• mannitol

• nalidixic acid
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• other cancer medications
• phenothiazines (e.g., Chlorpromazine)
• Prochlorperazine
• sulfonamide antibiotics (e.g., sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole)
• sulfonylurea Diabetes medications (e.g., chlorpropamide, Glyburide)
• tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline, Minocycline, Tetracycline)
• thiazide diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide)
• tretinoin
• Vemurafenib

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Photofrin Pws (Porfimer). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Photofrin Pws (Porfimer).

Breathing: Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) may cause shortness of breath and difficulty breathing in the time between receiving Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) sodium and laser treatment. Contact your doctor immediately if these symptoms occur.

Chest pain: Some people may experience chest pain while receiving Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) as a result of how Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) works. Let your doctor know if this occurs.

Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). If possible, avoid contact with people with contagious infections. Tell your doctor immediately if you begin to notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.

Sun sensitivity: Exposure of the eyes and skin to direct sunlight (or brightly focused indoor light) should be avoided for at least 30 days (and up to 90 days) after receiving Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) sodium.

• Do not expose your skin to direct sunlight or to bright indoor lights for at least 30 days after injection. People going outdoors within this timeframe should wear protective clothing and dark sunglasses. Check with your doctor about the best sunglasses to use to project your eyes. Regular sunscreens do not protect the skin and eyes from a reaction. Talk to your doctor about how to tell when it is all right to resume your normal routine with respect to sunlight and bright light exposure.
• Do not stay in a darkened room during this period, as normal indoor light helps to break down the medication safely.

Pregnancy: Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Women who may become pregnant should use effective contraception while taking Photofrin Pws (Porfimer). If you become pregnant while taking Photofrin Pws (Porfimer), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) sodium passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Photofrin Pws (Porfimer), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Photofrin Pws (Porfimer) have not been established for children.