Home

PHOTOFRIN® (porfimer sodium) for Injection

INDICATIONS

Esophageal Cancer

  • Palliation of patients with completely obstructing esophageal cancer, or of patients with partially obstructing esophageal cancer who, in the opinion of their healthcare provider, cannot be satisfactorily treated with Nd:YAG laser therapy. 

Endobronchial Cancer

  • Treatment of microinvasive endobronchial non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients for whom surgery and radiotherapy are not indicated.
  • Reduction of obstruction and palliation of symptoms in patients with completely or partially obstructing endobronchial NSCLC.

High-Grade Dysplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus

  • Ablation of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) patients who do not undergo esophagectomy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

PHOTOFRIN® (porfimer sodium) for Injection

CONTRAINDICATIONS

    • Porphyria
    • Existing tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula
    • Tumors eroding into a major blood vessel
    • Emergency treatment of patients with severe acute respiratory distress caused by an obstructing endobronchial lesion because 40 to 50 hours are required between injection of PHOTOFRIN and laser light treatment
    • Esophageal or gastric varices or esophageal ulcers >1cm in diameter

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Gastroesophageal Fistula and Perforation: Do not initiate PHOTOFRIN with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with esophageal tumors eroding into the trachea or bronchial tree or bronchial wall.
  • Pulmonary and Gastroesophageal Hemorrhage: Assess patients for tumors eroding into a pulmonary blood vessel and esophageal varices. Do not administer light directly to an area with esophageal varices.
  • High-Grade Dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s Esophagus (BE): After treatment of HGD in BE, conduct endoscopic biopsy surveillance every 3 months, until 4 consecutive negative evaluations for HGD have been recorded.
  • Photosensitivity and Ocular Photosensitivity: Observe precautions to avoid exposure of skin and eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for at least 30 days. Some patients may remain photosensitive for up to 90 days or more. Instruct patients when outdoors to wear dark sunglasses which have an average light transmittance of <4% for at least 30 days and until ocular sensitivity resolves.
  • Use Before or After Radiotherapy: Allow 2-4 weeks between PDT and subsequent radiotherapy.
  • Chest Pain: Substernal chest pain can occur.
  • Airway Obstruction and Respiratory Distress: Administer with caution to patients with tumors in locations where treatment-induced inflammation can obstruct the main airway. Monitor patients closely between the laser light therapy and the mandatory debridement bronchoscopy for any evidence of respiratory distress.
  • Esophageal Strictures: Esophageal strictures can occur.
  • Hepatic and Renal Impairment: Patients with hepatic or renal impairment may need longer precautionary measures for photosensitivity.
  • Thromboembolism: Thromboembolic events can occur.
  • Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: May cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with PHOTOFRIN and for 5 months after the final dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS 

Most common adverse reactions (>10% of patients) are:

  • Esophageal Cancer: Anemia, pleural effusion, pyrexia, constipation, nausea, chest pain, pain, abdominal pain, dyspnea, photosensitivity reaction, pneumonia, vomiting, insomnia, back pain, pharyngitis.
  • Obstructing Endobronchial Cancer: Dyspnea, photosensitivity reaction, hemoptysis, pyrexia, cough, pneumonia.
  • Superficial Endobronchial Tumors: Exudate, photosensitivity reaction, bronchial obstruction, edema, bronchostenosis.
  • High-Grade Dysplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus: Photosensitivity reaction, esophageal stenosis, vomiting, chest pain, nausea, pyrexia, constipation, dysphagia, abdominal pain, pleural effusion, dehydration.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pinnacle Biologics, Inc. at 1-866-248-2039 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Other photosensitizing agents: May increase the risk of photosensitivity reaction.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Lactation: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with PHOTOFRIN and for 5 months after the last dose.

Please see full Prescribing Information for PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) for Injection.

For more information please contact the Medical Information Department at 1-866-248-2039. 

PHOTOFRIN® and OPTIGUIDE® are registered trademarks of Concordia Laboratories Inc.

Pinnacle Biologics™ and the logo of Pinnacle Biologics™ are trademarks of Pinnacle Biologics, Inc.

PHOTOFRIN® is distributed in the United States by Pinnacle Biologics, Inc., Bannockburn, IL 60015

All rights reserved.

US/PHO/PM/0102