verteporfin at a glance
Medicine class
Light-activated photosensitiser and ophthalmic antineovascularisation treatment
Licensed uses
Selected choroidal neovascularisation associated with wet age-related macular degeneration or pathological myopia in adults
Administration
Intravenous infusion in a specialist eye clinic, followed by targeted light activation in the affected eye
Important precaution
Skin and eyes are unusually sensitive to bright light for 48 hours after treatment
What is verteporfin used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for adults with:
Wet age-related macular degeneration with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation.
Subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation caused by pathological myopia.
Specialist UK eye services also use photodynamic therapy for selected central serous chorioretinopathy cases outside the product licence.
How does verteporfin work?
Verteporfin accumulates preferentially in rapidly growing abnormal blood vessels. Red light activates it in the presence of oxygen, generating short-lived reactive oxygen that damages the targeted vessel lining and causes local vessel closure, helping reduce leakage while limiting exposure outside the illuminated area.
verteporfin preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 15 mg
How to take verteporfin
Verteporfin is not taken at home. An ophthalmology team gives it through a cannula, then directs activating light into the eye through a contact lens. For 48 hours afterwards, avoid direct sunlight and bright indoor light, wear covering clothing and dark sunglasses outdoors, and do not rely on sunscreen. Normal indoor light is safe and staying completely in the dark is not recommended.
Bring dark sunglasses and clothing that covers exposed skin to the appointment.
Tell the team immediately if the infusion site becomes painful, swollen or discoloured.
Do not drive or operate machinery while vision is blurred or otherwise disturbed.
verteporfin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site pain, swelling, inflammation or leakage outside the vein
- Blurred or reduced vision, flashes, dark spots or visual-field changes
- Headache, dizziness or fainting
- Nausea or tiredness
- Back pain during infusion
- Photosensitivity reactions, including sunburn after bright-light exposure
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic or infusion reaction, including breathing difficulty, swelling, collapse or seizure
- Marked reduction in vision after treatment
- Chest pain, particularly in someone with cardiovascular disease
- Severe injection-site injury with blistering, tissue damage or persistent discolouration
- Serious retinal complications, including retinal detachment, bleeding or impaired retinal blood flow
verteporfin in pregnancy
Human pregnancy experience is very limited, and animal studies identified developmental harm in one species. Verteporfin should be considered during pregnancy only when a specialist judges that the expected benefit justifies the potential fetal risk. Tell the eye team if you are pregnant, may be pregnant or are planning pregnancy.
verteporfin while breastfeeding
Small amounts of verteporfin and its metabolite pass into human milk. The product information advises either avoiding administration while nursing or interrupting breastfeeding for 48 hours afterwards; discuss temporary feeding arrangements with the specialist team in advance.
verteporfin interactions
Formal human interaction studies are unavailable. Give the eye team a complete list of medicines, supplements and current radiotherapy.
Photosensitising medicines, including tetracyclines, sulphonamides, phenothiazines, sulfonylureas, thiazide diuretics and griseofulvin
May increase the likelihood or severity of photosensitivity reactions.
Calcium-channel blockers, polymyxin B and radiotherapy
Could theoretically increase verteporfin uptake into vascular tissue, although clinical evidence is lacking.
Antioxidants and free-radical scavengers, including beta-carotene, mannitol and dimethyl sulfoxide
Could theoretically reduce verteporfin activity by neutralising the reactive oxygen species it generates.
Common questions about verteporfin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is verteporfin photodynamic therapy?
It combines an intravenous light-sensitive agent with precisely directed red light in the eye to close selected abnormal leaking blood vessels.
Will verteporfin restore vision that has already been lost?
It is intended to treat abnormal vessels and reduce leakage; it cannot be assumed to restore established sight loss. The likely aim and outcome depend on the retinal condition.
Does sunscreen protect against verteporfin photosensitivity?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.