Brand Name: Visudyne®
Active Ingredient: verteporfin
Strength(s): 15mg
Dosage Form(s): Intravenous injection
Company Name: QLT Photo Therapeutics, Inc.
Availability: Prescription only, professional use only
Date Approved by FDA: April 12, 2000

What is Visudyne used for?

Visudyne is used to treat certain forms of age-related macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a condition resulting in vision loss. Visudyne is a two-step treatment of injected drug plus red laser light.

Who should not be treated with Visudyne?  

You should not be given Visudyne if you are allergic to certain pigments called porphyrins or have a medical condition called porphyria (a disorder of the metabolism that can lead to sensitivity to light).

Special Warning(s) with Visudyne:

Patients treated with Visudyne become more sensitive to the effects of sunlight (photosensitivity) and must avoid exposing skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for at least 5 days.

Certain medications may interact with Visudyne or increase sensitivity to light. Review all medications you are taking with your health care provider, including those that you take without a prescription.

What are some possible side effects of Visudyne? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Visudyne. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)  

• Headache
• Injection site reaction, such as oozing and rash
• Vision changes, such as blurred vision, reduced visual sharpness
• Sunburn

Posted: 12/12/00

Updated:  12/29/04ghc