Photofrin Side Effects

Generic name: porfimer

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 10, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Photofrin Side Effects associated with porfimer. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Photofrin.

Applies to porfimer: intravenous powder for solution.

Serious side effects of Photofrin

Along with its needed effects, porfimer (the active ingredient contained in Photofrin) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking porfimer:

More common side effects

• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• blurred vision
• body aches or pain
• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion
• congestion
• cough
• coughing or spitting up blood
• difficult or troubled breathing
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty with swallowing
• dilated neck veins
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• extreme fatigue
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fever or chills
• frequent urge to urinate
• headache
• hoarseness
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• itching or skin rash
• lower back or side pain
• nervousness
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• pale skin
• pounding in the ears
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• runny nose
• severe pain in the chest
• severe sunburn
• slow or fast heartbeat
• sneezing
• sore throat
• sudden onset of severe breathing difficulty
• sweating
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• tightness in the chest
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• voice changes
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• weight gain
• white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
• white patches with diaper rash

Less common side effects

• bloody, black, or tarry stools
• decrease in the amount of urine
• decreased urination
• dry mouth
• fainting
• heartburn
• increase in heart rate
• noisy, rattling breathing
• pain or burning in the throat
• rapid breathing
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
• sunken eyes
• thirst
• troubled breathing at rest
• vomiting
• wrinkled skin

Other side effects of Photofrin

Some side effects of porfimer may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• back pain
• belching
• constipation
• diarrhea
• fear or nervousness
• indigestion
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• pain
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• trouble sleeping
• weight loss

Less common side effects

• bloated or full feeling
• change in the color of treated skin
• excess air or gas in the stomach
• increased hair growth
• small lumps under the skin

For healthcare professionals

Applies to porfimer: intravenous powder for injection.

Dermatologic adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Photosensitivity reaction (37%)
• Postmarketing reports: Angioedema, blister, dry skin, erythema, face edema, photodermatosis, pigmentation disorder, pruritus, pseudoporphyria, rash, skin burning sensation, sunburn, urticaria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (37%), esophageal stricture (36%), vomiting (31%), esophageal narrowing (30%), constipation (24%), dysphagia (24%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Esophageal bleeding, esophageal edema, hematemesis, dyspepsia, esophageal stenosis, diarrhea, esophagitis, eructation, melena, esophageal pain, hiccups, odynophagia
• Frequency not reported: Esophageal perforation, gastric ulcer, ileus, peritonitis, regurgitation, heartburn
• Postmarketing reports: Gastrointestinal necrosis, dry lips, mouth edema, esophageal fistula, esophageal ulcer, oral pain, esophageal injury^[Ref]

abdominal pain (20%)

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (32%)
• Postmarketing reports: Leukocytosis, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, increased C-reactive protein, erythropenia, decreased hemoglobin, prolonged prothrombin time, increased blood urea^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Pleural effusion (32%), dyspnea (30%), exudate (22%), bronchial mucus plug or bronchial obstruction (21%), pneumonia (18%), cough (15%), hemoptysis (16%), pharyngitis (11%), bronchiostenosis (11%), bronchitis (10%), respiratory insufficiency (10%), respiratory distress
• Common (1% to 10%): Tracheoesophageal fistula, bronchial ulceration
• Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, laryngotracheal edema, pneumonitis, pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, stridor, mediastinal inflammation, pulmonary thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, lung abscess, increased sputum
• Postmarketing reports: Bronchial injury, bronchial fistula, bronchial hemorrhage, hiccups^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (31%), chest pain (31%), pain (22%), generalized edema (18%), chest discomfort (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema, asthenia/fatigue/malaise, substernal chest pain, candidiasis, post-procedural complication, post-procedural pain, sepsis
• Postmarketing reports: Chills, swelling, decreased total protein^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Confusional state, anxiety^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Back pain (11%)^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Atrial fibrillation (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cardiac failure, tachycardia, hypotension, hypertension
• Frequency not reported: Angina pectoris, bradycardia, myocardial infarction, sick sinus syndrome, supraventricular tachycardia
• Postmarketing reports: First degree atrioventricular block, deep vein thrombosis, embolism, phlebitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Dehydration (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased weight, anorexia
• Frequency not reported: Fluid imbalance
• Postmarketing reports: Fluid overload, hypocalcemia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
• Postmarketing reports: Bladder spasm, dysuria, hydronephrosis, micturition urgency, nocturia, urinary retention^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysphonia
• Frequency not reported: Cerebrovascular accident
• Postmarketing reports: Dizziness, hypoesthesia, vasovagal syncope^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Tumor hemorrhage^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Jaundice
• Postmarketing reports: Pancreatitis, portal vein thrombosis^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Cataracts, ocular sensitivity, abnormal vision, diplopia, eye pain, photophobia
• Postmarketing reports: Asthenopia, ocular hyperemia, abnormal visual acuity test^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Local

• Postmarketing reports: Infusion reactions, application site edema^[Ref]

Further information

Photofrin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer