Drug reference

Porfimer sodium

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 1037, 1038

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Drug Action

Porﬁmer sodium accumulates in malignant tissue and is activated by laser light to produce a cytotoxic effect.

PDF page 1037

Indications And Dose

Photodynamic therapy of non-small cell lung cancer and obstructing oesophageal cancer ▶BY SLOW INTRAVENOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: (consult product literature)

PDF page 1037

Contra Indications

Acute porphyrias p. 1120. broncho- oesophageal ﬁstula. tracheo-oesophageal ﬁstula

PDF page 1037

Safety

Side Effects

▶Common or very common Anaemia. anxiety. appetite decreased. arrhythmias. asthenia. chest discomfort. confusion. constipation. cough. diarrhoea. dyspnoea. fever. ﬂuid imbalance. gastrointestinal discomfort. gastrointestinal disorders. haemorrhage. heart failure. hypertension. hypotension. increased risk of infection. insomnia. nausea. oedema. oesophageal disorder. pain. photosensitivity reaction (sunscreens ineffective). respiratory disorders. sepsis. swallowing difﬁculty. tracheo-oesophageal ﬁstula. vomiting. weight decreased ▶Frequency not known Angina pectoris. angioedema. atrioventricular block. bladder spasm. cataract. chills. dizziness. embolism and thrombosis. erythropenia. eye discomfort. eye disorders. hepatic disorders. hiccups. hydronephrosis. hypocalcaemia. laryngotracheal oedema . leucocytosis. malaise. myocardial infarction. numbness. oral disorders. pancreatitis. pulmonary oedema. skin reactions. swelling. syncope. urinary disorders. vision disorders

PDF pages 1037, 1038

Pregnancy

Manufacturer advises avoid unless essential.

PDF page 1038

Breast Feeding

No information available—manufacturer advises avoid.

PDF page 1038

Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution in mild to moderate impairment (may increase duration of Immune system and malignant disease photosensitivity); avoid in severe impairment (no information available).

PDF page 1038

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Powder for solution for injection ▶Photofrin (Axcan Pharma Inc, Pinnacle Biologics BV) Porfimer sodium 15 mg Photofrin 15mg powder for solution for injection vials | 1 vial P s (Hospital only) Porfimer sodium 75 mg Photofrin 75mg powder for solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £1,011.00 (Hospital only)

PDF page 1038

Clinical care

Patient And Carer Advice

Photosensitivity Avoid exposure of skin and eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for at least 30 days.

PDF page 1038

Dose text by age group

Adult

(consult product literature)

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1037

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Porfimer sodium

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 1037, 1038

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Drug Action

Porﬁmer sodium accumulates in malignant tissue and is activated by laser light to produce a cytotoxic effect.

PDF page 1037

Indications And Dose

Photodynamic therapy of non-small cell lung cancer and obstructing oesophageal cancer ▶BY SLOW INTRAVENOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: (consult product literature)

PDF page 1037

Contra Indications

Acute porphyrias p. 1120. broncho- oesophageal ﬁstula. tracheo-oesophageal ﬁstula

PDF page 1037

Safety

Side Effects

PDF pages 1037, 1038

Pregnancy

Manufacturer advises avoid unless essential.

PDF page 1038

Breast Feeding

No information available—manufacturer advises avoid.

PDF page 1038

Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution in mild to moderate impairment (may increase duration of Immune system and malignant disease photosensitivity); avoid in severe impairment (no information available).

PDF page 1038

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 1038

Clinical care

Patient And Carer Advice

Photosensitivity Avoid exposure of skin and eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for at least 30 days.

PDF page 1038

Dose text by age group

Adult

(consult product literature)

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1037

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.