Porfimer (Systemic)
Brand Names : Photofrin
Precautions After Receiving This MedicineFor at least 30 days after you receive an injection of porfimer, your eyes
will be extra sensitive to light, including sunlight, bright indoor lights,
and vehicle headlights. Certain types of sunglasses can help protect your
eyes during this time. Check with your doctor about which
sunglasses to use
.
For at least 30 days after you receive an injection of porfimer, your skin
will be extra sensitive to sunlight and to very bright indoor lights, such
as lamps with unshaded light bulbs and lights in dental offices or operating
rooms. Do not expose your skin to direct sunlight or
to bright indoor lights during this time
. Sunscreens will not
protect your skin from a severe reaction to light (blistering,
burning, and swelling of the skin). However, exposure to normal amounts of
indoor light (for example, daylight or light from lamps with shades) will
help use up the porfimer remaining in your skin. Therefore, do not protect your skin from normal amounts of indoor light
. If you
have any questions about whether the light in your home is too bright, check
with your doctor or nurse. Also, ask your doctor or nurse
ahead of time about what you should do if a severe reaction to light occurs
.
Thirty days after receiving an injection of porfimer, test a small portion of your skin by exposing it to sunlight for 10 minutes
. (Do not test skin on your face.) If the exposed part of your skin
does not become blistered, red, or swollen during the next 24 hours, you can
slowly increase your exposure to sunlight and bright indoor lights. If a reaction
does occur, wait another 2 weeks, then test your sensitivity to sunlight again.
Even after your skin and eyes are no longer sensitive to the lights in
your home or the amount of sunlight in the area where you live, you may still
be sensitive to brighter levels of light. If you travel to an area where the
sunlight is stronger than at home, test yourself again before exposing your
skin to the stronger light.
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