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Verteporfin

Pronounced

"ver-teh-POR-fin"

Common brand names:

Visudyne

Uses

Verteporfin is used along with laser light treatment to treat certain serious eye conditions (such as macular degeneration, pathologic myopia, ocular histoplasmosis). It is used to help prevent decreased vision and blindness. After you have received the injection of verteporfin, your doctor will use laser light treatment on the affected eye(s). The laser light will change the drug to a form that works by damaging only those cells that cause the serious eye problem.

How to Use This Medication

This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your body size and response to treatment.

Your doctor will treat your affected eye with laser light about 15 minutes after you receive this medication. If you have any questions about the treatment, consult your doctor.

Wear a wristband for 5 days after receiving this drug to notify other health care professionals that you have received this drug and to remind you to avoid bright lights (such as halogen lights) and direct sunlight. However, do not stay in totally dark areas after treatment. You should expose your skin to regular indoor/indirect light because doing so will help stop any drug in your skin from causing damage to skin cells. If any of the information is unclear, consult your doctor. (See also Precautions section.)