What are the most frequent side effects of Visudyne?
Answering Patients' FAQs about VisudyneIn clinical trials, a substantial decrease in vision occurred in 1% to 5% of patients within the first week of treatment, with partial recovery in some patients. Other potential problems include injection site reactions, back pain during infusion, and visual disturbances—including blurring, decreased sharpness, and gaps in vision.
Related QuestionsWhat is Visudyne?
Answering Patients' FAQs about VisudyneVisudyne is the first drug therapy to become available for patients with a certain form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is used in the treatment of patients with the type of AMD known as predominantly classic subfoveal wet AMD. The generic, or chemical, name for Visudyne is verteporfin (ver-te-POOR-fin). Only a qualified eye care professional can determine if Visudyne therapy is right for you.
Related QuestionsWhat is Visudyne therapy?
Frequently Asked Questions About AMDIn April 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Visudyne therapy, the first drug treatment for the most serious form of "wet" age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Visudyne therapy, a form of photodynamic therapy, brings together a light-activated drug (Visudyne) and the use of a non-thermal ("cold") laser. The laser activates the drug in a targeted area of the eye, producing a reaction that destroys abnormal, leaky blood vessels.
Related QuestionsWhat can I expect from Visudyne?
Frequently Asked Questions About AMDVirtually painless, Visudyne therapy is typically performed in a doctor's office on an outpatient basis. You will be unusually sensitive to light for 5 days following Visudyne therapy, so preparing for treatment is key. Your eyecare specialist will give you a list of instructions to follow before and after therapy to minimize the risk of complications. Visudyne therapy is typically given about every 3 months and as many times as needed to prevent the regrowth of abnormal vessels.
Related QuestionsHow often will I need Visudyne?
Answering Patients' FAQs about VisudyneVisudyne is a multicourse therapy. Follow-up evaluations are recommended at 3-month intervals to determine if subsequent treatment is required. Usually several treatments are given over a period of time. In clinical trials for AMD, patients treated with Visudyne received 3.4 treatments in the first year and 2.0 treatments the second year.
Related QuestionsHow does Visudyne work?
Frequently Asked Questions About AMDFirst, Visudyne is injected into the bloodstream, usually through a vein in the patient's arm. The drug is quickly absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye that cause sight loss in wet AMD. Second—a short time after the drug has been given—a cold laser is shone into the affected area of the eye for exactly 83 seconds. This activates the drug and produces a reaction that destroys the abnormal blood vessels.
Related QuestionsWhat safety information should I have about Visudyne?
Frequently Asked Questions About AMDVisudyne therapy is not for everyone. People who have an abnormal sensitivity to light (a condition called porphyria) and those with allergies to any of the ingredients should not receive Visudyne. (Your doctor has a list of ingredients in Visudyne.) Check with your doctor or healthcare professional to see if you might be allergic to any component of Visudyne therapy. Only your doctor can determine if Visudyne is right for you.
Related QuestionsWhat happens after the first therapy session with Visudyne?
Answering Patients' FAQs about VisudyneAfter the initial therapy, I will examine your eyes approximately every 3 months to gauge your response to the previous therapy. Since leakage and bleeding often recur and the abnormal vessels often return with this persistent disease, we must plan to give you Visudyne therapy every 3 months, until the bleeding and leakage are no longer present. Visudyne therapy causes the skin and eyes to temporarily become sensitive to light (photosensitivity).
Related QuestionsHow do you determine who should receive Visudyne?
Answering Patients' FAQs about VisudyneVisudyne is indicated for the treatment of a specific type of abnormal blood vessels that grow in the center of the macula—the part of the eye responsible for central vision—due to age-related macular degeneration, pathologic myopia, or presumed ocular histoplasmosis. I provide Visudyne for patients who I believe are appropriate candidates for the therapy based on these indications and my experience.
Related QuestionsWill Visudyne therapy hurt?
Answering Patients' FAQs about VisudyneVisudyne therapy is a simple intravenous infusion into the arm followed by the application of a cool laser light to the eye. The application of light does not cause any pain in the eye. Other than the initial prick delivered by injection, patients are not likely to experience any pain. Some patients (10%-30%) have experienced side effects such as injection site reactions, back pain during infusion, and blurring, decreased sharpness, and gaps in vision.
Related QuestionsWhat else do I need to know about Visudyne treatment?
Answering Patients' FAQs about VisudyneIf you receive Visudyne therapy, your eyes and skin will be sensitive to bright light and direct sunlight for 5 days. During this time, you should wear a wristband to remind yourself about the possibility of photosensitivity and the need to follow the precautions for things to avoid: You should not stay in the dark, however, because exposing your skin to normal indoor light helps to remove the drug from the skin.
Related QuestionsHow can patients and practitioners obtain more information about Visudyne therapy?
Frequently Asked Questions About AMDPatients, their loved ones, and practitioners can call the Visudyne hotline at 1-877-873-2826 (TREAT-AMD), Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM, ET. The Visudyne mySight™ Program—a FREE information-and-support program just for Visudyne patients and their loved ones—is another good source. Click here to learn more about mySight now.
Related QuestionsIs there anything special I need to do when receiving Visudyne therapy?
Answering Patients' FAQs about VisudyneWhen preparing for your therapy, remember Visudyne therapy causes your skin and eyes to become temporarily sensitive to light. Be sure to bring the following items to your appointment: After your treatment, your eyes and skin will be sensitive to bright light and direct sunlight for 5 days. You should wear a wristband to remind yourself of this photosensitivity, and follow precautions such as avoiding: You should not stay in the dark.
Related QuestionsCan Visudyne be given to someone with known cardiovascular disease?
Answering Patients' FAQs about VisudyneVisudyne was studied in clinical trials in which all patients were over the age of 50, many of whom had hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and/or cardiovascular disease.2 While no specific comparisons were made to assess the efficacy of Visudyne in such patients, there were no significant safety problems seen amongst any patient types across the study populations—and there are no contraindications for Visudyne use in these patient types.
Related QuestionsHOW FREQUENT IS FREQUENT?
jennethink: HOW FREQUENT IS FREQUENT?Recently I noticed how annoying it is to stumble across a blog and not know for sure who's writing it or what it is about. When this happens, I feel like I spend a lot of time and energy trying to catch up. Sort of like coming into the second half of a movie and not knowing the name of any of the characters or if the monkey with a Mohawk is significant to the plot line or just a cute extra. I have to figure some people come here and have the same feeling.
Related QuestionsIs IBS frequent?
FAQIt is assumed, that in around 10 percent of all adults suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. The diagnostics are frequently put off because many patients first go to the doctor after having already suffered a long time. When the diagnosis „functional bowel complaints“ is made, it is for many (partly also for doctors) not clear, that they are dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Related QuestionsCan Visudyne therapy help slow the progression of vision loss?
Frequently Asked Questions About AMDYes. Studies have shown that patients who complete a full course of Visudyne therapy are more likely to preserve their vision than those who have no therapy. There is currently no therapy that will cure AMD. There is no cure for AMD. While Visudyne helps destroy existing abnormal blood vessels that can leak and damage sight, there is currently no therapy that will restore sight that has already been lost. Therefore, patients and their loved ones need to have realistic expectations for therapy.
Related QuestionsAre there any side effects?
The Skin Care Centre - Skin Problems We Treat - Skin Resurfa...Among the many thousands who have had tissue implant injections, less than 1% of patients have reported adverse reactions. The precautions we take, including eliciting a patient history and testing for allergy, reduce the likelihood of side effects.
Related QuestionsFlexcin.comThroughout major clinical studies, used by doctors and hundreds of patients in clinics, there have been no known side effects. This is another area where the Flexcin formula differs from drugs and non-prescription medications that have terrible side effects on the liver, kidneys, stomach, and other vital organs.Related Questions
Revita Medispa :: Frequently asked questionsA:In general, the side effects are very rare and not permanent. Sometimes there can be some very minor bleeding at the site of injection. We recommend patients discontinue any blood thinners such as Aspirin, vitamin E/C, alcohol or other anti-inflammatory medications 7 days prior to their procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding or bruising. Rarely, if the BOTOX® affects the muscles that raise the eyelid (usually if the BOTOX® migrates down from the injection site through rubbing etc.Related Questions
Sun Valley Laser Therapy - Frequently Asked QuestionsUnlike many pharmaceutical options, BioFlex is nontoxic. Compared to surgical procedures, it is non-traumatic, and most importantly, it is non-invasive. However, occasionally some patients experience a slight exacerbation or increase in pain. This can occur the day of or after treatment and generally subsides within 24 to 48 hours. If this occurs, utilize pain medication and/or ice and let the therapist know prior to the next treatment.Related Questions
Halt the Habit, Quit Smoking Now!Your powerful quit smoking program is designed with putting your safety first. None of our superior products have any harmful side effects.Related Questions
Concerta: Frequently Asked QuestionsReported side effects include headache(14% of users), upper respiratory tract infection (8%), stomachache (7%), vomiting (4%), loss of appetite (4%), sleeplessness (4%), increased cough (4%), sore throat (4%), sinusitis (3%), and dizziness (2%). Other possible side effects would be the same as with Ritalin or other methylphenidate products.Related Questions
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Minocycline FAQ, Octo...Every drug has potential side effects. The side effects that are most common in people treated with minocycline include:Related Questions
Mesotherapy - Frequently Asked QuestionsA common side effect of Mesotherapy is bruising, which generally resolves over one week. To speed up the healing process, we recommend that the homeopathic supplement arnica be taken either orally or applied topically on a daily basis. Patients may experience temporary soreness. This will subside within 24-48 hours.Related Questions
Gamma Knife - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Cooper Univ...Generally you'll experience no immediate side effects from the Gamma Knife procedure other than a mild headache or nausea. Should this occur, your nurse can give you medications ordered by your doctor to relieve the headache or nausea. Side effects are rare because only the abnormality is targeted; the surrounding brain tissue receives a minimal dose of radiation.Related Questions
clearCONCEPT Acne Treatment ProcessSide effects are minimal and are generally limited to a slight redness of the skin which should not persist for more than a few minutes.Related Questions
