drug-infosheet

porfimer

Other Names

Photofrin®

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solution for injection

Medication Information Sheet

porfimer (POR-fimm-er)

This document provides general information about your medication. It does not replace the advice of your health care professional. Always discuss your therapy with your health care professional and refer to the package insert for more details.

Other Name: Photofrin®

Appearance:

solution for injection

What is this medication for?

Used with laser light therapy to treat certain types of cancer (e.g. bladder, esophageal or lung cancer). It works by making the cancer cells more sensitive to the laser light therapy.

What should I do before I have this medication?

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have/had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had porphyria, or any allergies.
People who have cancer or leukemia are at a higher risk of developing other cancers/leukemias (usually some years later) or blood clots. Some cancer medications may increase these risks, especially if used for a prolonged period of time. You should discuss any concerns with your doctor.

How will this medication affect sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Porfimer may harm the unborn baby and should not be used by pregnant women.
If there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must: ►Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug: Keep using birth control until 6 months after the last dose (general recommendation). Discuss with your healthcare team.
Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant.
Do not breastfeed while on porfimer treatment.

Effects on Fertility: Unknown

Effects on Fertility: Unknown

How is this medication given?

This drug is given by injection into a vein.

What else do I need to know while on this medication?

This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.

Sunburn can occur to exposed skin and eyes in a matter of minutes for 4 to 6 weeks after your treatment. You must avoid direct sunlight or focused indoor light and use hat/gloves/long sleeved clothing, sunglasses and sun blockers such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. You can burn outside even on cloudy days. Sunburn can occur with any bright light, not just from the sun. Test your skin in the sun after 30 days, by exposing a small area of skin for 10 minutes, to make sure that skin won't burn. If there are still signs of sunburn, avoid light for another 2 weeks. Repeat the test.

What are the side effects of this medication?

The following side effects are common or severe. You may not have all of the side effects, while others may occur. Discuss with your doctor if you have any unusual or bothersome symptoms.

Side effects and what to do	When to contact doctor?
More Common Side Effects

Lung problems
(increased cough, breathing problems, chest pain, coughing blood)

Get emergency medical help right away

Flu-like feeling
(fever, chills without signs of infection such as sore throat, cough, or blistering rash on skin)

May happen in hours to days after drug is given.
These side effects may go away as your body gets used to the drug.
Contact your doctor or nurse if these feelings bother you.
May take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets as needed.

Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Nausea and vomiting

Drink clear fluids and avoid large meals. Get fresh air and rest.
Limit spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
Take anti-nausea drug(s) exactly as directed by your doctor. It is easier to prevent nausea than to treat it.
Contact your doctor if nausea lasts more than 48 hours or vomiting for more than 24 hours.
Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet.*

Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Eyes will be sensitive to light
(e.g., sun, bright lights, car headlights)

For 30 days after treatment, wear dark sunglasses with an average white light transmittance of less than 4% when outdoors.

Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Skin will burn (for 4 to 6 weeks after treatment)

Protect skin from bright indoor or outdoor light.
Stay indoors as much as you can.
Keep away from windows.
Protect all skin if possible with protective clothing and sunglasses, and apply an opaque sunblock such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to exposed skin when outdoors.

Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe

Side effects and what to do	When to contact doctor?
Less Common Side Effects, but may be Severe

Allergic reaction
(severe rash, itchiness, swollen face, lip or tongue, chest or throat tightness)

Get emergency medical help right away

Irregular heartbeat, fainting, chest pain

Blood clot (limb pain or swelling, hardened vein in limb), may occur in lungs (sudden start of coughing, breathing problems, chest pain, coughing blood)

Blockage of an artery (blood vessel) in your heart, brain, chest, belly, or limbs; this may result in stroke (sudden loss of vision, speech, or the use of your limb(s)) or heart attack (chest pain, shortness of breath), or pain in chest, belly or limb

Get emergency medical help right away

For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management.

The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.

A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.

Last Updated: July 27, 2026

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