verteporfin

REMS

Treatment of age-related macular degeneration in patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity;
Porphyria;
Exposure to direct sunlight.

Use Cautiously in:

Moderate/severe hepatic impairment;
Pregnancy, lactation or children (safety not established).

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

EENT: visual disturbances, cataracts, conjunctivitis/conjunctival injection, dry eyes, ocular itching, severe vision loss, subconjunctival/subretinal/vitreous hemorrhage

Derm: photosensitivity

Local: injection site reactions including extravasation and rashes

MS: back pain (during infusion)

Neuro: headache, weakness

Misc: fever, flu-like syndrome

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-drug:

Calcium channel blockers, polymyxin B, or radiation therapy may increase the rate of uptake by the vascular epithelium.
Concurrent use of other photosensitizing agents including thiazide diuretics, sulfonylureas, phenothiazines, sulfonamides or tetracyclines may increase the risk of skin photosensitivity reactions.
Dimethyl sulfoxide, beta-carotene, alcohol, formate and mannitol may decrease the activity of verteporfin.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

lyophylized powder for reconstitution: 15 mg

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

IV (Adults ): 6 mg/m² infused over 10 min, followed by appropriate laser light delivery initiated 15 min after the start of the infusion.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Action ⬆ ⬇

Vertoporfin is activated by nonthermal red light in the presence of oxygen to form reactive oxygen radicals. The resultant compound produces local damage to neovascular epithelium and subsequent vessel occlusion.

Therapeutic effects:

Improved visual acuity.

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Classification: none assigned

Pharmacologic Classification: photodynamic agents

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: IV administration results in complete bioavailability.

Distribution: Transported by lipoproteins.

Metabolism/Excretion: Small amount of metabolism by the liver and plasma esterases; elimination is primarily fecal. Verteprofin in skin is inactivated by photobleaching from ambient indoor lighting.

Half-Life: 5–6 hr.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

( improved visual acuity)

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
IV	1–7 days	unknown	unknown

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Instruct patient to avoid exposure of skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for 5 days due to photosensitivity. Patients should wear a wrist band to remind them to avoid direct sunlight or bright indoor light (tanning salons, bright halogen lighting and high power lighting used in surgical operating rooms and dental offices) for 5 days. If patients must go outdoors during first 5 days after treatment, they should protect all parts of their skin and eyes by wearing protective clothing and dark sunglasses. UV sunscreens are not effective protection. However, patients should not stay in the dark and should be encouraged to expose their skin to ambient indoor light which will help inactivate the drug in the skin.
Emphasize the importance of follow-up evaluations every 3 mo determine need for repeated therapy.

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Indications ⬇