What effect could sunlight have on you with visudyne therapy?
- Asked
- 21 Aug 2013 by michaelmhh6
- Updated
- 21 Aug 2013
- Topics
- visudyne
Responses (1)
If I remember right, it makes you very photosensitive and your skin can burn badly very easily after Visudyne treatment. Even bright indoor light can affect you. Medical staff who would come in contact with, say a spill of the fluid, would then have to protect themselves from sunlight. Here is what the literature states:
Information for Patients
Patients who receive Visudyne will become temporarily photosensitive after the infusion. Patients should wear a wristband to remind them to avoid direct sunlight for 5 days. During that period, patients should avoid exposure of unprotected skin, eyes or other body organs to direct sunlight or bright indoor light. Sources of bright light include, but are not limited to, tanning salons, bright halogen lighting and high power lighting used in surgical operating rooms or dental offices. Prolonged exposure to light from light-emitting medical devices such as pulse oximeters should also be avoided for 5 days following Visudyne administration.
If treated patients must go outdoors in daylight during the first 5 days after treatment, they should protect all parts of their skin and their eyes by wearing protective clothing and dark sunglasses. UV sunscreens are not effective in protecting against photosensitivity reactions because photoactivation of the residual drug in the skin can be caused by visible light.
Patients should not stay in the dark and should be encouraged to expose their skin to ambient indoor light, as it will help inactivate the drug in the skin through a process called photobleaching.
Because of the potential to induce photosensitivity reactions, it is important to avoid contact with the eyes and skin during preparation and administration of Visudyne. Any exposed person must be protected from bright light
Sensitivity Reactions
Photosensitivity
Potential for photosensitivity reactions (e.g., sunburn) upon exposure to light.1
Avoid exposure of skin and eyes to direct sunlight, bright indoor light (e.g., tanning salons, bright halogen lighting, high-power lighting used in operating rooms or dental offices), or prolonged exposure to light from a light-emitting medical device (e.g., pulse oximeter) for 5 days following administration of verteporfin.1
Protect internal tissue from intense light if emergency surgery is necessary within 48 hours of verteporfin administration.

Further Information
- Visudyne Information for Consumers
- Visudyne Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Visudyne (detailed)
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