porfimer

Generic Name: porfimer (POR fi mer)

Brand Names: Photofrin

What is porfimer?

Porfimer increases the sensitivity of tissues to the effects of light. Porfimer is used before the administration of laser light to cancerous tumors to decrease tumor size.

Porfimer is used in the treatment of some esophageal and lung cancers.

Porfimer may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about porfimer?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using porfimer?

Do not take porfimer if you have porphyria.

How should I use porfimer?

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of porfimer.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a porfimer overdose may include increased or prolonged sensitivity to light.

What should I avoid while using porfimer?

Porfimer side effects

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

• 
  

  mild constipation;

  
  


• 
  

  nausea;

  
  


• 
  

  mild to moderate skin reactions such as redness, swelling, itching, or burning sensations;

  
  


• 
  

  increased hair growth, skin discoloration, skin growths, increased wrinkles, or increased skin fragility of the area treated; or

  
  

Porfimer Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:

2 mg/kg IV as a single slow intravenous injection over 3 to 5 minutes. Illumination with laser light 40 to 50 hours following injection with porfimer constitutes the second stage of therapy. A second laser light application may be given 96 to 120 hours after injection, preceded by gentle debridement of residual tumor.

Patients may receive a second course of porfimer a minimum of 30 days after the initial therapy; up to three courses of porfimer (each separated by a minimum of 30 days) can be given.

Usual Adult Dose for Esophageal Carcinoma:

2 mg/kg IV as a single slow intravenous injection over 3 to 5 minutes. Illumination with laser light 40 to 50 hours following injection with porfimer constitutes the second stage of therapy. A second laser light application may be given 96 to 120 hours after injection, preceded by gentle debridement of residual tumor.

Patients may receive a second course of porfimer a minimum of 30 days after the initial therapy; up to three courses of porfimer (each separated by a minimum of 30 days) can be given.

What other drugs will affect porfimer?

More porfimer resources

• Porfimer Side Effects (in more detail)
• Porfimer Dosage
• Porfimer Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Porfimer Drug Interactions
• Porfimer Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Porfimer - Add your own review/rating

• porfimer Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Porfimer MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Photofrin Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare porfimer with other medications

• Esophageal Carcinoma
• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Where can I get more information?

• Your healthcare provider may have additional information about porfimer that you may read.

See also: porfimer side effects (in more detail)