Porfimer Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 27, 2025.

Applies to porfimer: intravenous powder for solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment and for at least 5 months after your last dose. Males who are receiving this medicine, with female partners who can become pregnant must use effective birth control during and for at least 5 months after the last dose of this medicine. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

For at least 30 days after you receive an injection of porfimer, your eyes will be extra sensitive to light, including sunlight, bright indoor lights, and vehicle headlights. Certain types of sunglasses can help protect your eyes during this time. Check with your doctor about which sunglasses to use.

For at least 30 days after you receive an injection of porfimer, your skin will be extra sensitive to sunlight and to very bright indoor lights, such as lamps with unshaded light bulbs and lights in dental offices or operating rooms. Do not expose your skin to direct sunlight or to bright indoor lights during this time. Sunscreens will not protect your skin from a severe reaction to light (blistering, burning, and swelling of the skin). However, exposure to normal amounts of indoor light (eg, daylight or light from lamps with shades) will help use up the porfimer remaining in your skin. Therefore, do not protect your skin from normal amounts of indoor light. If you have any questions about whether the light in your home is too bright, check with your doctor or nurse. Also, ask your doctor or nurse ahead of time about what you should do if a severe reaction to light occurs.

Thirty days after receiving an injection of porfimer, test a small portion of your skin by exposing it to sunlight for 10 minutes. (Do not test skin on your face.) If the exposed part of your skin does not become blistered, red, or swollen during the next 24 hours, you can slowly increase your exposure to sunlight and bright indoor lights. If a reaction does occur, wait another 2 weeks, then test your sensitivity to sunlight again.

Even after your skin and eyes are no longer sensitive to the lights in your home or the amount of sunlight in the area where you live, you may still be sensitive to brighter levels of light. If you travel to an area where the sunlight is stronger than at home, test yourself again before exposing your skin to the stronger light.

You might have pain around your chest after your treatment. If you have pain, talk with your doctor about the best way to treat it.

If you are using this medicine to treat Barrett's esophagus, your chance of having narrowing of the esophagus may be increased. Check with your doctor right away if you start to have trouble with swallowing after you have received this medicine.

Blood clotting problems may occur in patients after receiving this medicine. Check with your doctor if you have pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves, difficulty with breathing, severe, sudden headache, slurred speech, sudden, unexplained shortness of breath, sudden loss of coordination, sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg, or vision changes.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of porfimer

Along with its needed effects, porfimer 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:

Other side effects of porfimer

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:

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]

See also:

Further information

Porfimer 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