Verteporfin (Verteporfin)
Overview of Verteporfin
A medicine that is activated by light. It has no direct effect but it works in presence of light and oxygen and produces its cell killing effect. It is used in photodynamic treatment of eye disorders involving abnormal growth of blood vessels in the back of the eye. It is activaetd by using a laser.
Indication of Verteporfin
Verteporfin is primarily indicated in conditions like Muscle relaxation (long duration) for surgery and intubation.
Contraindication of Verteporfin
Verteporfin is contraindicated in conditions like Porphyria,Breast feeding.
Side Effects of Verteporfin
The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Verteporfin are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Nausea, Fever, Sweating, Blurred vision, Pruritus, Dysuria, SweatingX, Asthenia, Syncope, Hypersensitivity reactions, Chest pain, Backache, Hypercholesterolemia, Visual field defects, Rarely lacrimation disorders, Injection-site reactions including pain, edema, inflammation, hemorrahage, and discoloration, Changes in blood pressure and in heart rate, Flashing light.
Precautions of Verteporfin
The drug causes temporary photosensitzation, and patients must avoid exposure of unprotected skin and eyes to bright light during infusion and 48 hors afterwards or bright indoor lights; hepatic impairment (avoid if severe), biliary obstruction; avoid extravasation; pregnancy (use only when potential benefit outweighs risk). Activation of the drug in the presence of oxygen generates free radicals, which cause vessel demage and subsequent platelet activation, thrombosis, and occlusion of choroidal neovascularization.