Visudyne

Q: What is Visudyne (verteporfin)?

Visudyne (verteporfin) is a medication that's given through the vein (intravenously or IV) to help prevent certain eye conditions like AMD from worsening. These eye conditions typically [cause new blood vessels to form in the eyes](https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/choroidal-neovascular-membranes) that tend to leak fluid or blood into the eye, which can then cause vision loss. Visudyne (verteporfin) works by slightly damaging the lining of these blood vessels, which causes them to clot and stop blood flow.

Q: How is Visudyne (verteporfin) given?

Your dose of Visudyne (verteporfin) is based on your body size. It's given as an intravenous infusion over the course of 10 minutes. The laser light therapy is then started 15 minutes after the infusion begins. Your provider will focus the light directly on the treatment area. Exposure to light activates (turns on) the medication in this specific area, meaning it allows the medication to start working.

Q: What are the side effects of Visudyne (verteporfin)?

The most common [side effects](https://www.bauschretinarx.com/visudyne/ecp/efficacy) of Visudyne (verteporfin) are injection site reactions, including pain, swelling, inflammation, rash, bleeding, and discoloration. This medication can also cause changes in vision, such as blurred vision, flashes of light, lower visual clarity, and blind spots. Be sure to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until your vision returns to normal after treatment with Visudyne (verteporfin).

Q: Do I have to avoid light after treatment with Visudyne (verteporfin)?

Yes. After you receive treatment with Visudyne (verteporfin), you should avoid exposing your skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for 5 days. This is because Visudyne (verteporfin) can make your skin more sensitive to light. Examples of bright indoor lights to avoid include tanning beds, bright halogen lighting, and high-power lighting used during surgery or at dental offices. Wear dark sunglasses and protective clothing if you have to go outside during the day in the 5 days following your treatment. Sunscreen will not be enough to protect your skin from sun sensitivity. However, you don't have to spend the 5 days in complete darkness. Regular indoor light is safe and will help inactivate (turn off) the medication.

Q: Are there any serious side effects of Visudyne (verteporfin)?

Visudyne (verteporfin) can potentially cause significant vision loss within 1 week after treatment. If this occurs, you shouldn't be retreated until your vision returns to normal. Your provider can help you decide if the benefits of treatment are worth the risk of vision changes. In addition, if Visudyne (verteporfin) accidentally leaks from the blood vessels onto the skin after it's injected, it can cause severe pain, swelling, and discoloration. You're more at risk for this reaction if the area where the medication has leaked onto is exposed to direct light. Exposing the skin to light where medication has spilled can also cause severe burns or damage to skin tissue. Cold compresses at the injection site and oral pain relievers can help with skin reactions to leaked medication. There have also been reports of [severe allergic reactions](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/anaphylaxis) following Visudyne (verteporfin) treatment. These symptoms might include itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, and throat, trouble breathing, and unresponsiveness. If this occurs, stop Visudyne (verteporfin) treatment and let your provider know so they can treat your allergic reaction.

verteporfin

Used for Macular Degeneration

Visudyne (verteporfin) is an injectable medication used to help prevent certain eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), from worsening. The medication must be administered through the vein by a healthcare provider. It's then activated (turned on) using laser light therapy directed at the treatment area.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Lobello Pearson, PharmD

Allison Gourley, PharmD

Last reviewed on May 30, 2022

What is Visudyne (verteporfin)?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Visudyne
Drug Class	Ophthalmic agent
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Visudyne

Drug Class

Ophthalmic agent

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Visudyne

Visudyne is a medication that's given through the vein (intravenously or IV) to help prevent certain eye conditions like AMD from worsening. These eye conditions typically cause new blood vessels to form in the eyes that tend to leak fluid or blood into the eye, which can then cause vision loss. Visudyne works by slightly damaging the lining of these blood vessels, which causes them to clot and stop blood flow.

Your dose of Visudyne is based on your body size. It's given as an intravenous infusion over the course of 10 minutes. The laser light therapy is then started 15 minutes after the infusion begins. Your provider will focus the light directly on the treatment area. Exposure to light activates (turns on) the medication in this specific area, meaning it allows the medication to start working.

Your provider will recheck your eyes 3 months after a single Visudyne treatment. If your provider still detects leakage from the blood vessels in the eyes at this time, they might recommend to repeat treatment with this medication.

The most common side effects of Visudyne are injection site reactions, including pain, swelling, inflammation, rash, bleeding, and discoloration. This medication can also cause changes in vision, such as blurred vision, flashes of light, lower visual clarity, and blind spots. Be sure to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until your vision returns to normal after treatment with Visudyne.

Yes. After you receive treatment with Visudyne, you should avoid exposing your skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for 5 days. This is because Visudyne can make your skin more sensitive to light. Examples of bright indoor lights to avoid include tanning beds, bright halogen lighting, and high-power lighting used during surgery or at dental offices. Wear dark sunglasses and protective clothing if you have to go outside during the day in the 5 days following your treatment. Sunscreen will not be enough to protect your skin from sun sensitivity. However, you don't have to spend the 5 days in complete darkness. Regular indoor light is safe and will help inactivate (turn off) the medication.

Visudyne can potentially cause significant vision loss within 1 week after treatment. If this occurs, you shouldn't be retreated until your vision returns to normal. Your provider can help you decide if the benefits of treatment are worth the risk of vision changes. In addition, if Visudyne accidentally leaks from the blood vessels onto the skin after it's injected, it can cause severe pain, swelling, and discoloration. You're more at risk for this reaction if the area where the medication has leaked onto is exposed to direct light. Exposing the skin to light where medication has spilled can also cause severe burns or damage to skin tissue. Cold compresses at the injection site and oral pain relievers can help with skin reactions to leaked medication. There have also been reports of severe allergic reactions following Visudyne treatment. These symptoms might include itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, and throat, trouble breathing, and unresponsiveness. If this occurs, stop Visudyne treatment and let your provider know so they can treat your allergic reaction.

Visudyne (verteporfin) dosage

Typical dosage for Visudyne (verteporfin)

Interactions between Visudyne (verteporfin) and other drugs

Visudyne (verteporfin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Visudyne (verteporfin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Visudyne (verteporfin) images

This medicine is Green Vial.green - Visudyne 15mg Powder for Injection

What is Visudyne (verteporfin)?

Drug facts

Common questions about Visudyne

What is Visudyne?

How is Visudyne given?

How often do I need to receive Visudyne?

What are the side effects of Visudyne?

Do I have to avoid light after treatment with Visudyne?

Are there any serious side effects of Visudyne?

Visudyne (verteporfin) dosage

Typical dosage for Visudyne (verteporfin)

Interactions between Visudyne (verteporfin) and other drugs

Visudyne (verteporfin) images

Common questions about Visudyne

What is Visudyne?

How is Visudyne given?

How often do I need to receive Visudyne?

What are the side effects of Visudyne?

Do I have to avoid light after treatment with Visudyne?

Are there any serious side effects of Visudyne?