Patient – What is PDT?
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
INDICATIONS:
PHOTOFRIN is used for:
Esophageal Cancer
- Palliation of patients with completely obstructing esophageal cancer, or of patients with partially obstructing esophageal cancer who, in the opinion of their physician, 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
DO NOT TAKE PHOTOFRIN® (profirmer sodium) FOR INJECTION:
- If you have a rare disorder with a blood component called porphyria
- If you have an abnormal connection (fistula) between the esophagus and airways leading to the lungs
- If you have a tumor extending into a major blood vessel
- If you have life-threatening breathing failure due to an obstructing airway tumor that requires emergency treatment
- If you have enlarged veins in the stomach or esophagus or large ulcers in the esophagus
WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE TAKING PHOTOFRIN®?
Before taking PHOTOFRIN®, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you are:
- Taking other medicines that are activated by light
- Taking other medicines during your photodynamic treatment with PHOTOFRIN®
- If you are pregnant or are a nursing mother
IMPORTANT WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS USING PHOTOFRIN® INCLUDE:
- 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. 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 of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception.
MOST COMMON ADVERSE REACTIONS reported during clinical trials (>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.
- Other Photosensitizing Agents: May increase the risk of photosensitivity reaction.
- 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 at: www.photofrin.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PHOTOFRIN®, or if there are any questions regarding the information provided, visit www. photofrin.com or please contact the Medical Information Department at 1-866-248-2039. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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.