Porfimer Side Effects
Brand Names: Photofrin
Please note - some side effects for Porfimer may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).
Side Effects of Porfimer - for the Consumer
Porfimer
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Porfimer:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Porfimer:Anxiety; appetite loss; belching; confusion; constipation; diarrhea; fever; headache; hiccups; indigestion; nausea; oral infection; swelling of the hands and feet; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight loss.
TopSevere allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); back pain; burns or blisters on the skin; changes in vision; chest pain; chills; coughing; dark, bloody stools; dehydration; depression; difficulty swallowing; fast heartbeat; irregular heartbeat; lightheadedness; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; pneumonia; shortness of breath; slow or difficult breathing; throat, stomach, or abdominal pain; tightness in the chest; weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Side Effects by Body System
General
General side effects have included fever (31%), pain (up to 22%), chest pain (up to 22%), back pain (up to 11%), weight decrease (9%), peripheral edema (up to 7%), dehydration (7%), asthenia (6%), generalized edema (5%), and surgical complication (5%). Patients with at least one adverse event have been as high as 95%.
Respiratory
Respiratory side effects including pleural effusion (32%), dyspnea (up to 30%), pneumonia (up to 18%), hemoptysis (16%), coughing (up to 15%), pharyngitis (11%), bronchitis (10%), respiratory insufficiency (up to 10%), increased sputum (8%), and tracheoesophageal fistula (6%) have been reported.
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular side effects have included edema (18%), atrial fibrillation (10%), cardiac failure (7%), hypotension (7%), tachycardia (6%), and hypertension (6%).
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects have included dysphonia (5%).
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal side effects have included constipation (up to 24%), nausea (24%), abdominal pain (20%), vomiting (17%), dysphagia (10%), esophageal edema (8%), esophageal tumor bleeding (8%), hematemesis (8%), dyspepsia (6%), esophageal stricture (6%), diarrhea (5%), eructation (5%), esophagitis (5%), and melena (5%).
Psychiatric
Psychiatric side effects have included insomnia (up to 14%), anorexia (8%), confusion (8%), and anxiety (up to 7%).
Hematologic
Hematologic side effects have included anemia (32%).
Immunologic
Immunologic side effects have included moniliasis (9%).
Dermatologic
Dermatologic side effects have included photosensitivity reaction (up to 22%).
Genitourinary
Genitourinary side effects have included urinary tract infection (7%).
Local
Local side effects have included exudate (22%), obstruction (19%), stricture (11%), and ulceration (9%).
Ocular
Ocular side effects have included ocular discomfort (commonly described as sensitivity to sun, bright lights, or car headlights).
A case of cataracts has been reported in a fifty-one year old obese man treated with porfimer. The patient suffered from a photodynamic therapy (PDT) response. Within two months post PDT, the patient noted difficulty with his distant vision. A thorough eye examination revealed a change in the refractive error that later progressed to cataracts in both eyes.
Both of the parents of the patient with cataracts in both eyes had a history of cataracts in their seventies. Whether porfimer directly caused or accelerated a familial underlying condition is unknown.
Other
Other side effects including a few cases of fluid imbalance have been reported following the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with porfimer in patients with overtly disseminated intraperitoneal malignancies.
Fluid imbalance is an expected PDT treatment-related event.
TopDisclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
