Porfimer sodium

Porfimer sodium
Adult Indications & Dosage
Pediatric Indications & Dosage
Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Drug Interactions
Use in Specific Populations
Administration & Monitoring
Overdosage
Pharmacology
Clinical Studies
How Supplied
Images
Patient Counseling Information
Precautions with Alcohol
Brand Names
Look-Alike Names

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]

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Overview

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Adult Indications and Dosage

FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)

Indications

Esophageal Cancer

• PHOTOFRIN® is indicated for the 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

• PHOTOFRIN is indicated for the treatment of microinvasive endobronchial non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients for whom surgery and radiotherapy are not indicated.

• PHOTOFRIN is indicated for the reduction of obstruction and palliation of symptoms in patients with completely or partially obstructing endobronchial NSCLC.

High-Grade Dysplasia in Barrett's Esophagus

• PHOTOFRIN is indicated for the ablation of high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus patients who do not undergo esophagectomy.

DOSAGE

• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with PHOTOFRIN is a two- stage process requiring administration of both drug and light. The first stage of PDT is the intravenous injection of PHOTOFRIN at 2 mg/kg. Illumination with laser light 40–50 hours following injection with PHOTOFRIN constitutes the second stage of therapy. A second laser light application may be given 96-120 hours after injection. In clinical studies on endobronchial cancer, debridement via endoscopy was required 2-3 days after the initial light application. Standard endoscopic techniques are used for light administration and debridement. Practitioners should be fully familiar with the patient's condition and trained in the safe and efficacious treatment of esophageal or endobronchial cancer, or high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett's esophagus (BE) using PDT with PHOTOFRIN and associated light delivery devices. PDT with PHOTOFRIN should be applied only in those facilities properly equipped for the procedure.

• The laser system must be approved for delivery of a stable power output at a wavelength of 630 ± 3 nm. Light is delivered to the tumor by cylindrical OPTIGUIDE™ fiber optic diffusers passed through the operating channel of an endoscope/bronchoscope. Instructions for use of the fiber optic and the selected laser system should be read carefully before use. OPTIGUIDE™ cylindrical diffusers are available in several lengths. The choice of diffuser tip length depends on the length of the tumor or Barrett's mucosa to be treated. Diffuser length should be sized to avoid exposure of nonmalignant tissue to light and to prevent overlapping of previously treated malignant tissue. Refer to the OPTIGUIDE™ instructions for use for complete instructions concerning the fiber optic diffuser.

PHOTOFRIN

• PHOTOFRIN should be administered as a single slow intravenous injection over 3 to 5 minutes at 2 mg/kg of body weight. Reconstitute each vial of PHOTOFRIN with 31.8 mL of either 5% Dextrose Injection (USP) or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection (USP), resulting in a final concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. Shake well until dissolved. Do not mix PHOTOFRIN with other drugs in the same solution. PHOTOFRIN, reconstituted with 5% Dextrose Injection (USP) or with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection (USP), has a pH in the range of 7 to 8. PHOTOFRIN has been formulated with an overage to deliver the 75 mg labeled quantity. The reconstituted product should be protected from bright light and used immediately. Reconstituted PHOTOFRIN is an opaque solution, in which detection of particulate matter by visual inspection is extremely difficult. Reconstituted PHOTOFRIN, however, like all parenteral drug products, should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit.

• Precautions should be taken to prevent extravasation at the injection site. If extravasation occurs, care must be taken to protect the area from light. There is no known benefit from injecting the extravasation site with another substance.

Photoactivation

Esophageal Cancer

• Initiate 630 nm wavelength laser light delivery to the patient 40–50 hours following injection with PHOTOFRIN. A second laser light treatment may be given as early as 96 hours or as late as 120 hours after the initial injection with PHOTOFRIN. No further injection of PHOTOFRIN should be given for such retreatment with laser light. Before providing a second laser light treatment, the residual tumor may be debrided. The debridement is optional since the residua will be removed naturally by peristaltic action of the esophagus. Vigorous debridement may cause tumor bleeding.

• Photoactivation of PHOTOFRIN is controlled by the total light dose delivered. In the treatment of esophageal cancer, a light dose of 300 Joules/cm (J/cm) of diffuser length should be delivered. The total power output at the fiber tip is set to deliver the appropriate light dose using exposure times of 12 minutes and 30 seconds.

• For the treatment of esophageal cancer, patients may receive a second course of PDT a minimum of 30 days after the initial therapy; up to three courses of PDT (each separated by a minimum of 30 days) can be given. Before each course of treatment, patients with esophageal cancer should be evaluated for the presence of a tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula [see Contraindications (4)]. All patients should be evaluated for the possibility that the tumor may be eroding into a major blood vessel [see Contraindications (4)].

Endobronchial Cancer

• Initiate 630 nm wavelength laser light delivery to the patient 40–50 hours following injection with PHOTOFRIN. A second laser light treatment may be given as early as 96 hours or as late as 120 hours after the initial injection with PHOTOFRIN. No further injection of PHOTOFRIN should be given for such retreatment with laser light. Before providing a second laser light treatment, the residual tumor should be debrided. Vigorous debridement may cause tumor bleeding. For endobronchial tumors, debridement of necrotic tissue should be discontinued when the volume of bleeding increases, as this may indicate that debridement has gone beyond the zone of the PDT effect.

• Photoactivation of PHOTOFRIN is controlled by the total light dose delivered. In the treatment of endobronchial cancer, a light dose of 200 J/cm of diffuser length should be delivered. The total power output at the fiber tip is set to deliver the appropriate light dose using exposure times of 8 minutes and 20 seconds. For noncircumferential endobronchial tumors that are soft enough to penetrate, interstitial fiber placement is preferred to intraluminal activation, since this method produces better efficacy and results in less exposure of the normal bronchial mucosa to light. It is important to perform a debridement 2 to 3 days after each light administration to minimize the potential for obstruction caused by necrotic debris [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.8)].

• For the treatment of endobronchial cancer, patients may receive a second course of PDT a minimum of 30 days after the initial therapy; up to three courses of PDT (each separated by a minimum of 30 days) can be given. In patients with endobronchial lesions who have recently undergone radiotherapy, sufficient time (approximately 4 weeks) should be allowed between the therapies to ensure that the acute inflammation produced by radiotherapy has subsided prior to PDT [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.6)]. All patients should be evaluated for the possibility that the tumor may be eroding into a major blood vessel.

High-Grade Dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett's Esophagus (BE)

• Prior to initiating treatment with PHOTOFRIN PDT, the diagnosis of HGD in BE should be confirmed by an expert GI pathologist.

• Approximately 40-50 hours after PHOTOFRIN administration light should be delivered by a X-Cell Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Balloon with Fiber Optic Diffuser. The choice of fiber optic/balloon diffuser combination will depend on the length of Barrett's mucosa to be treated (TABLE 1).

Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)

Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Porfimer sodium in adult patients.

Non–Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Porfimer sodium in adult patients.

Pediatric Indications and Dosage

FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)

There is limited information regarding FDA-Labeled Use of Porfimer sodium in pediatric patients.

Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)

Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Porfimer sodium in pediatric patients.

Non–Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Porfimer sodium in pediatric patients.

Contraindications

There is limited information regarding Porfimer sodium Contraindications in the drug label.

Warnings

Gastroesophageal Fistula and Perforation

• Do not initiate PHOTOFRIN with PDT in patients with esophageal tumors eroding into the trachea or bronchial tree or bronchial wall because of the high likelihood of tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula.

• Serious and sometimes fatal gastointestinal and esophageal necrosis and perforation can occur following treatment with PHOTOFRIN with PDT.

Pulmonary and Gastroesophageal Hemorrhage

• Assess patients for tumors eroding into a pulmonary blood vessel and esophageal varices. Patients at high risk for fatal massive hemoptysis (FMH) include those with large, centrally located tumors, cavitating tumors or extensive tumors extrinsic to the bronchus. Do not administer light directly to an area with esophageal varices because of the high risk of hemorrhage

High-Grade Dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett's Esophagus (BE)

• The long-term effect of PDT on HGD in BE is unknown. There is always a risk of cancer or abnormal epithelium that is invisible to the endoscopist beneath the new squamous cell epithelium; these facts emphasize the risk of overlooking cancer in such patients and the need for rigorous continuing surveillance despite the endoscopic appearance of complete squamous cell reepithelialization. It is recommended that endoscopic biopsy surveillance be conducted every three months, until four consecutive negative evaluations for HGD have been recorded; further follow-up may be scheduled every 6 to 12 months, as per judgment of physicians. The follow-up period of the randomized study at the time of analysis was a minimum of two years (ranging from 2 to 5.6 years).

Photosensitivity

• All patients who receive PHOTOFRIN will be photosensitive and must observe precautions to avoid exposure of skin and eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light (from examination lamps, including dental lamps, operating room lamps, unshaded light bulbs at close proximity, etc.) for at least 30 days. Some patients may remain photosensitive for up to 90 days or more. The photosensitivity is due to residual drug, which will be present in all parts of the skin. Exposure of the skin to ambient indoor light is, however, beneficial because the remaining drug will be inactivated gradually and safely through a photobleaching reaction. Therefore, patients should not stay in a darkened room during this period and should be encouraged to expose their skin to ambient indoor light. The level of photosensitivity will vary for different areas of the body, depending on the extent of previous exposure to light. Before exposing any area of skin to direct sunlight or bright indoor light, the patient should test it for residual photosensitivity. A small area of skin should be exposed to sunlight for 10 minutes. If no photosensitivity reaction (erythema, edema, blistering) occurs within 24 hours, the patient can gradually resume normal outdoor activities, initially continuing to exercise caution and gradually allowing increased exposure. If some photosensitivity reaction occurs with the limited skin test, the patient should continue precautions for another 2 weeks before retesting. The tissue around the eyes may be more sensitive, and therefore, it is not recommended that the face be used for testing. If patients travel to a different geographical area with greater sunshine, they should retest their level of photosensitivity. Conventional ultraviolet (UV) sunscreens will only protect against UV light-related photosensibility and will be of no value in protecting against induced photosensitivity reactions caused by visible light.

Ocular Sensitivity

• Sensitivity to sun, bright lights, or car headlights, causing ocular discomfort, can occur in patients who receive PHOTOFRIN. For at least 30 days and until ocular sensitivity resolves, instruct patients when outdoors to wear dark sunglasses which have an average white light transmittance of <4%.

Use Before or After Radiotherapy

• If PDT is to be used before or after radiotherapy, sufficient time should be allotted between the two therapies to ensure that the inflammatory response produced by the first treatment has subsided before commencing the second treatment. The inflammatory response from PDT will depend on tumor size and extent of surrounding normal tissue that receives light. It is recommended that 2 to 4 weeks be allowed after PDT before commencing radiotherapy. Similarly, if PDT is to be given after radiotherapy, the acute inflammatory reaction from radiotherapy usually subsides within 4 weeks after completing radiotherapy, after which PDT may be given.

Chest Pain

• As a result of PDT treatment, patients may complain of substernal chest pain because of inflammatory responses within the area of treatment. Such pain may be of sufficient intensity to warrant the short-term prescription of opiate analgesics.

Airway Obstruction and Respiratory Distress

• Photofrin followed by PDT can cause treatment-induced inflammation and obstruct the main airway. Administer with caution to patients with endobronchial tumors in locations where treatment-induced inflammation can obstruct the main airway, e.g., long or circumferential tumors of the trachea, tumors of the carina that involve both mainstreatm bronchi circumferentially, or circumferential tumors in the mainstream bronchus in patients with prior pneumonectomy.

• Monitor patients closely between laser light therapy and the mandatory debridement bronchoscopy for any evidence of respiratory distress. Inflammation, mucositis, and necrotic debris may cause obstruction of the airway. If respiratory distress occurs, the physician should be prepared to carry out immediate bronchoscopy to remove secretions and debris to open the airway.

Esophageal Strictures

• Esophageal strictures occurred in 122 of the 318 (38%) patients enrolled in the three clinical studies of patients who received PHOTOFRIN with PDT to the esophagus. Nodule pretreatment and re-treating the same mucosal segment more than once may influence the risk of developing an esophageal stricture. A total of 49% of patients who developed a stricture received nodule pretreatment and 82% who developed a stricture had a mucosal segment treated twice. Overall, esophageal strictures occurred within six months following PHOTOFRIN with PDT. Multiple dilations of esophageal strictures may be required, as shown in TABLE 5.

Hepatic and Renal Impairment

• Hepatic or Renal impairment will likely prolong the elimination of porfimer sodium leading to higher rates of toxicity. Patients with severe renal impairment or mild to severe hepatic impairment should be clearly informed that the period requiring the precautionary measures for photosensitivity may be longer than 90 days.

This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

Thromboembolism

• Thromboembolic events can occur following photodynamic therapy with PHOTOFRIN. Most reported events occurred in patients with other risk factors for thromboembolism including advanced cancer, following major surgery, prolonged immobilization, or cardiovascular disease.

Adverse Reactions

Clinical Trials Experience

Overall Adverse Reaction Profile

• Systemically induced effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with PHOTOFRIN consist of photosensitivity and mild constipation. All patients who receive PHOTOFRIN will be photosensitive and must observe precautions to avoid sunlight and bright indoor light. Photosensitivity reactions occurred in approximately 20% of cancer patients and in 69% of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) patients treated with PHOTOFRIN. Typically these reactions were mostly mild to moderate erythema but they also included swelling, pruritus, burning sensation, feeling hot, or blisters. In a single study of 24 healthy subjects, some evidence of photosensitivity reactions occurred in all subjects. Other less common skin manifestations were also reported in areas where photosensitivity reactions had occurred, such as increased hair growth, skin discoloration, skin nodule, skin wrinkling and increased skin fragility. These manifestations may be attributable to a pseudoporphyria state (temporary drug-induced cutaneous porphyria).

• Most toxicities of this therapy are local effects seen in the region of illumination and occasionally in surrounding tissues. The local adverse reactions are characteristic of an inflammatory response induced by the photodynamic effect.

• A few cases of fluid imbalance have been reported in patients treated with PHOTOFRIN PDT for overtly disseminated intraperitoneal malignancies. Fluid imbalance is an expected PDT-related event.

• A case of cataracts has been reported in a 51 year-old obese man treated with PHOTOFRIN PDT for HGD in BE. The patient suffered from a PDT response with development of a deep esophageal ulcer. Within two months post PDT, the patient noted difficulty with his distant vision. A thorough eye examination revealed a change in the refractive error that later progressed to cataracts in both eyes. Both of his parents had a history of cataracts in their 70s. Whether PHOTOFRIN directly caused or accelerated a familial underlying condition is unknown.

Adverse Reactions in Clinical Trials

• Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Esophageal Carcinoma

• The following adverse reactions were reported over the entire follow-up period in at least 5% of patients treated with PHOTOFRIN PDT, who had completely or partially obstructing esophageal cancer. TABLE 6 presents data from 88 patients who received the currently marketed formulation. The relationship of many of these adverse reactions to PDT with PHOTOFRIN is uncertain.

This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

• Location of the tumor was a prognostic factor for three adverse reactions: upper-third of the esophagus (esophageal edema), middle-third (atrial fibrillation), and lower-third, the most vascular region (anemia). Also, patients with large tumors (>10 cm) were more likely to experience anemia. Two of 17 patients with complete esophageal obstruction from tumor experienced esophageal perforations, which were considered to be possibly treatment-associated; these perforations occurred during subsequent endoscopies.

• Serious and other notable adverse reactions observed in less than 5% of PDT-treated patients with obstructing esophageal cancer in the clinical studies include the following; their relationship to therapy is uncertain. In the gastrointestinal system, esophageal perforation, gastric ulcer, ileus, jaundice, and peritonitis have occurred. Sepsis has been reported occasionally. Cardiovascular reactions have included angina pectoris, bradycardia, myocardial infarction, sick sinus syndrome, and supraventricular tachycardia. Respiratory reactions of bronchitis, bronchospasm, laryngotracheal edema, pneumonitis, pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, and stridor have occurred. The temporal relationship of some gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and respiratory reactions to the administration of light was suggestive of mediastinal inflammation in some patients. Vision-related reactions of abnormal vision, diplopia, eye pain and photophobia have been reported.

Obstructing Endobronchial Cancer

• TABLE 7 presents adverse reactions that were reported over the entire follow-up period in at least 5% of patients with obstructing endobronchial cancer treated with PHOTOFRIN PDT or Nd:YAG. These data are based on the 86 patients who received the currently marketed formulation. Since it seems likely that most adverse reactions caused by these acute acting therapies would occur within 30 days of treatment, TABLE 7 presents those reactions occurring within 30 days of a treatment procedure, as well as those occurring over the entire follow-up period. It should be noted that follow-up was 33% longer for the PDT group than for the Nd:YAG group, thereby introducing a bias against PDT when adverse reaction rates are compared for the entire follow-up period. The extent of follow-up in the 30-day period following treatment was comparable between groups (only 9% more for PDT).

• Transient inflammatory reactions in PDT-treated patients occur in about 10% of patients and manifest as pyrexia, bronchitis, chest pain, and dyspnoea. The incidences of bronchitis and dyspnoea were higher with PDT than with Nd:YAG. Most cases of bronchitis occurred within 1 week of treatment and all but one were mild or moderate in intensity. The reactions usually resolved within 10 days with antibiotic therapy. Treatment-related worsening of dyspnoea is generally transient and self-limiting. Debridement of the treated area is mandatory to remove exudate and necrotic tissue. Life-threatening respiratory insufficiency likely due to therapy occurred in 3% of PDT-treated patients and 2% of Nd:YAG-treated patients.

• There was a trend toward a higher rate of fatal massive hemoptysis (FMH) occurring on the PDT arm (10%) versus the Nd:YAG arm (5%), however, the rate of FMH occurring within 30 days of treatment was the same for PDT and Nd:YAG (4% total events, 3% treatment-associated events). Patients who have received radiation therapy have a higher incidence of FMH after treatment with PDT and after other forms of local therapy than patients who have not received radiation therapy, but analyses suggest that this increased risk may be due to associated prognostic factors such as having a centrally located tumor. The incidence of FMH in patients previously treated with radiotherapy was 21% (6/29) in the PDT group and 10% (3/29) in the Nd:YAG group. In patients with no prior radiotherapy, the overall incidence of FMH was less than 1%. Characteristics of patients at high risk for FMH are described in contraindications and warnings.

• Other serious or notable adverse reactions were observed in less than 5% of PDT-treated patients with endobronchial cancer; their relationship to therapy is uncertain. In the respiratory system, pulmonary thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and lung abscess have occurred. Cardiac failure, sepsis, and possible cerebrovascular accident have also been reported in one patient each.

This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

Superficial Endobronchial Tumors

• The following adverse reactions were reported over the entire follow-up period in at least 5% of patients with superficial tumors (microinvasive or carcinoma in situ) who received the currently marketed formulation.

This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

• In patients with superficial endobronchial tumors, 44 of 90 patients (49%) experienced an adverse reaction, two-thirds of which were related to the respiratory system. The most common reaction to therapy was a mucositis reaction in one-fifth of the patients, which manifested as edema, exudate, and obstruction. The obstruction (mucus plug) is easily removed with suction or forceps. Mucositis can be minimized by avoiding exposure of normal tissue to excessive light.Three patients experienced life-threatening dyspnoea: one was given a double dose of light, one was treated concurrently in both mainstem bronchi and the other had had prior pneumonectomy and was treated in the sole remaining main airway. Stent placement was required in 3% of the patients due to endobronchial stricture. Fatal massive hemoptysis occurred within 30 days of treatment in one patient with superficial tumors (1%).

High-Grade Dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett's Esophagus (BE)

• TABLE 9 presents adverse reactions that were reported over the follow-up period in at least 5% of patients with HGD in BE in either controlled or uncontrolled clinical trials.

• In the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group severe adverse reactions included chest pain of non-cardiac origin, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, regurgitation, and heartburn. The severity of these symptoms decreased within 4 to 6 weeks following treatment.

• The majority of the photosensitivity reactions occurred within 90 days following PHOTOFRIN injection and was of mild (68%) or moderate (24%) intensity. Fourteen (10%) patients reported severe reactions, all of which resolved. The typical reaction was described as skin disorder, sunburn or rash, and affected mostly the face, hands, and neck. Associated symptoms and signs were swelling, pruritis, erythema, blisters, burning sensation, and feeling of heat.

• The majority of esophageal stenosis including strictures reported in the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group were of mild (57%) or moderate (35%) intensity, while approximately 8% were of severe intensity. The majority of esophageal strictures were reported during Course 2 of treatment. All esophageal strictures were considered to be due to treatment. Most esophageal strictures were manageable through dilations.

This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

• PHO: PHOTOFRIN

• NOTE: Adverse reactions classified using MedDRA 5.0 dictionary with the exception of esophageal stricture and esophageal narrowing.

Laboratory Abnormalities

• In patients with esophageal cancer, PDT with PHOTOFRIN may result in anemia due to tumor bleeding. No significant effects were observed for other parameters in patients with endobronchial carcinoma or with HGD in BE.

Postmarketing Experience

• The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Photofrin with PDT. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

• Infusion reactions: Infusion reactions including urticaria, bradycardia, hypotension, dizziness, and hypertension.

Drug Interactions

Other Photosensitizing Agents

• There have been no formal interaction studies of PHOTOFRIN and any other drugs. However, it is possible that concomitant use of other photosensitizing agents (e.g., tetracyclines, sulfonamides, phenothiazines, sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agents, thiazide diuretics, griseofulvin, and fluoroquinolones) could increase the risk of photosensitivity reaction.

Concomitant Therapy

• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with PHOTOFRIN causes direct intracellular damage by initiating radical chain reactions that damage intracellular membranes and mitochondria. Tissue damage also results from ischemia secondary to vasoconstriction, platelet activation and aggregation and clotting. Research in animals and in cell culture has suggested that many drugs could influence the effects of PDT, possible examples of which are described below. There are no human data that support or rebut these possibilities.

• Compounds that quench active oxygen species or scavenge radicals, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, β-carotene, ethanol, formate and mannitol would be expected to decrease PDT activity. Preclinical data also suggest that tissue ischemia, allopurinol, calcium channel blockers and some prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors could interfere with PHOTOFRIN PDT. Drugs that decrease clotting, vasoconstriction or platelet aggregation, e.g., thromboxane A2 inhibitors, could decrease the efficacy of PDT. Glucocorticoid hormones given before or concomitant with PDT may decrease the efficacy of the treatment.

Use in Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category (FDA):

• Pregnancy Category C. Porfirmer sodium has been shown to have an embryocidal effect in rats and rabbits when given in doses 0.64 times the recommended human dose on a mg/m2 basis. Porfimer sodium given to rat dams during fetal organogenesis intravenously at 0.64 times the clinical dose on a mg/m2 basis for 10 days caused no major malformations or developmental changes. This dose caused maternal and fetal toxicity resulting in increased resorptions, decreased litter size, delayed ossification, and reduced fetal weight. Porfimer sodium caused no major malformations when given to rabbits intravenously during organogenesis at 0.65 times the clinical dose on a mg/m2 basis for 13 days. This dose caused maternal toxicity resulting in increased resorptions, decreased litter size, and reduced fetal body weight.

• Porfimer sodium given to rats during late pregnancy through lactation intravenously at 0.32 times the clinical dose on a mg/m2 basis for at least 42 days caused a reversible decrease in growth of offspring. Parturition was unaffected.

• There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of PHOTOFRIN in pregnant women. PHOTOFRIN-should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Pregnancy Category (AUS):

• Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) Pregnancy Category

There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Porfimer sodium in women who are pregnant.

Labor and Delivery

There is no FDA guidance on use of Porfimer sodium during labor and delivery.

Nursing Mothers

• It is not known whether PHOTOFRIN is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from PHOTOFRIN, a decision should be made whether not to treat or to discontinue breastfeeding, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use

• Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Geriatic Use

• Approximately 70% of the patients treated with PDT using PHOTOFRIN in clinical trials were over 60 years of age. There was no apparent difference in effectiveness or safety in these patients compared to younger people. Dose modification based upon age is not required.

Gender

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Porfimer sodium with respect to specific gender populations.

Race

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Porfimer sodium with respect to specific racial populations.

Renal Impairment

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Porfimer sodium in patients with renal impairment.

Hepatic Impairment

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Porfimer sodium in patients with hepatic impairment.

Females of Reproductive Potential and Males

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Porfimer sodium in women of reproductive potentials and males.

Immunocompromised Patients

There is no FDA guidance one the use of Porfimer sodium in patients who are immunocompromised.

Administration and Monitoring

Administration

• Oral

• Intravenous

Monitoring

There is limited information regarding Monitoring of Porfimer sodium in the drug label.

• Description

IV Compatibility

There is limited information regarding IV Compatibility of Porfimer sodium in the drug label.

Overdosage

PHOTOFRIN Overdose

• There is no information on overdosage situations involving PHOTOFRIN. Higher than recommended drug doses of two 2 mg/kg doses given two days apart (10 patients) and three 2 mg/kg doses given within two weeks (one patient), were tolerated without notable adverse reactions. Effects of overdosage on the duration of photosensitivity are unknown. Laser treatment should not be given if an overdose of PHOTOFRIN is administered. In the event of an overdose, patients should protect their eyes and skin from direct sunlight or bright indoor lights for 30 days. At this time, patients should test for residual photosensitivity. PHOTOFRIN is not dialyzable.

Overdose of Laser Light Following PHOTOFRIN Injection

• Light doses of two to three times the recommended dose have been administered to a few patients with superficial endobronchial tumors. One patient experienced life-threatening dyspnoea and the others had no notable complications. Increased symptoms and damage to normal tissue might be expected following an overdose of light. There is no information on overdose of laser light following PHOTOFRIN injection in patients with esophageal cancer or in patients with high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus.

Pharmacology

There is limited information regarding Porfimer sodium Pharmacology in the drug label.

Mechanism of Action

Structure

File:Porfimer sodium01.png

This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

Pharmacodynamics

There is limited information regarding Pharmacodynamics of Porfimer sodium in the drug label.

Pharmacokinetics

There is limited information regarding Pharmacokinetics of Porfimer sodium in the drug label.

Nonclinical Toxicology

There is limited information regarding Nonclinical Toxicology of Porfimer sodium in the drug label.

Clinical Studies

There is limited information regarding Clinical Studies of Porfimer sodium in the drug label.

How Supplied

Storage

There is limited information regarding Porfimer sodium Storage in the drug label.

Images

Drug Images

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Package and Label Display Panel

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Patient Counseling Information

There is limited information regarding Patient Counseling Information of Porfimer sodium in the drug label.

Precautions with Alcohol

• Alcohol-Porfimer sodium interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.

Brand Names

• ®

Look-Alike Drug Names

• A® — B®

Drug Shortage Status

Price

References

The contents of this FDA label are provided by the National Library of Medicine.

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