porfimer, a miscellaneous antineoplastic. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is used to treat completely obstructing esophageal cancer and endobronchial non–small cell lung cancer. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: Factors that prohibit the use of this drug include porphyria, porphyrin allergy (porfimer), tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula, and major blood vessels with eroding tumors. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Life-threatening effects of this drug are cardiac failure, pleural effusion, and tracheoesophageal fistula. Other adverse effects are pneumonia, dyspnea, respiratory insufficiency, dehydration, weight decrease, anemia, photosensitivity reaction, urinary tract infection, and moniliasis. Common side effects include hypotension, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, dysphagia, eructation, esophageal edema and/or bleeding, hematemesis, melena, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia.
