What special precautions should I follow?  

Before receiving verteporfin injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to verteporfin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in verteporfin injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners'); antihistamines; aspirin or other pain medications; beta carotene; calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan); diuretics ('water pills'); griseofulvin (Fulvicin-U/F, Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG ); medications for diabetes, mental illness, and nausea; polymyxin B; sulfa antibiotics; and tetracycline antibiotics such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin), and tetracycline (Sumycin). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have porphyria (a condition that causes sensitivity to light). Your doctor will probably tell you not to use verteporfin injection.
• tell your doctor if you are being treated with radiation therapy and if you have or have ever had gallbladder or liver disease or any other medical condition.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using verteporfin injection, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, within 5 days of a verteporfin infusion, tell the doctor or dentist that you have used verteporfin.
• you should know that verteporfin may cause vision problems. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• you should know that verteporfin will make your skin very sensitive to sunlight (likely to get sunburn). Wear a wristband to remind you to avoid exposure of the skin and eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light (e.g. tanning salons, bright halogen lighting, and high power lighting used in operating rooms or dental offices) for 5 days after the verteporfin infusion. If you must go outdoors in the daylight during the first 5 days after verteporfin infusion, protect all parts of your body by wearing protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and gloves, and dark sunglasses. Sunscreen will not protect you from sunlight during this time. Do not avoid light entirely during this time; you should expose your skin to soft indoor light.
• talk to your doctor about testing your vision at home during your treatment. Check your vision in both eyes as directed by your doctor, and call your doctor if there are any changes in your vision.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?  

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.