User:Mr. Ibrahem/Verteporfin

Verteporfin, sold under the trade name Visudyne among others, is a medication used to treat the wet form of age-related macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularisation due to severe short-sightedness. It is given by injection into a vein followed by the use of a laser to activate it. Both eyes may be treated following a single dose.

Common side effects include pain at the site of injection and vision changes. Other side effects may include shortness of breath, headache, tiredness, and fever. It should not be used in those with acute porphyria. It is a benzoporphyrin derivative. Once activated it creates oxygen molecules in the area which block off excessive blood vessels.

Verteporfin was approved for medical use in the Europe and the United States in 2000. In the United Kingdom a vial of 15 mg costs the NHS about £850 as of 2021. In the United States this amount costs about 1,800 USD.