Drug Overview
Visudyne (verteporfin; Valeant/Novartis) is a benzoporphyrin derivative photosensitizer developed for
use in photodynamic therapy. In photodynamic therapy, Visudyne is injected intravenously into the
patient, shortly after which the drug localizes selectively in the neovasculature. Subsequently, a non-
thermal laser is used to activate the drug in the targeted areas. This results in the generation of
oxygen free radicals, which damage the vessel endothelium and lead to vascular occlusion (Zuluaga et
al., 2007). Photodynamic therapy is indicated for use in wet AMD patients with predominantly classic
subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (Visudyne prescribing information, 2013); however, the
introduction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors has reduced its role in treatment.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 PRODUCT PROFILES
4 Visudyne : Age-related macular degeneration
LIST OF TABLES
4 Table 1: Visudyne drug profile