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Visudyne

Generic: verteporfin for injection

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Bausch Lomb
NDC
0187-5600
RxCUI
313595
Route
INTRAVENOUS
ICD-10 indication
H35.329

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About Visudyne

What is this medication?

Visudyne is a prescription medication used in a procedure called photodynamic therapy to treat specific types of eye conditions involving abnormal blood vessel growth. It is most commonly used for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration, specifically those with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization. The treatment is also indicated for managing vision loss resulting from pathologic myopia or a condition known as presumed ocular histoplasmosis.

This medication works through a two-step process that involves an intravenous injection followed by light activation. Once the drug has traveled through the bloodstream to the abnormal blood vessels in the eye, a doctor applies a specialized non-thermal laser. This light activates the medication, causing it to close off the leaky vessels and slow down the progression of vision loss by protecting the macula from further damage.

Copay & patient assistance

  • Patient Copay Amount: $0 (for eligible patients through the Patient Assistance Program)
  • Maximum Annual Benefit Limit: Not Publicly Available
  • Core Eligibility Restrictions: Lack of insurance coverage for the prescribed product, documented household income, proof of US residency, and physician referral. Enrollment must be renewed every 12 months.
  • RxBIN, PCN, and Group numbers: Not Publicly Available

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Visudyne. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Aug 27, 2025

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VISUDYNE ® (verteporfin for injection) therapy is indicated for the treatment of patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), pathologic myopia or presumed ocular histoplasmosis. There is insufficient evidence to indicate VISUDYNE for the treatment of predominantly occult subfoveal CNV. VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection) therapy is a photoenhancer indicated for the treatment of patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration, pathologic myopia or presumed ocular histoplasmosis. ( 1 )
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended Dose : 6 mg/m 2 body surface area. ( 2.2 ) Reconstitution : Reconstitute each vial of VISUDYNE with 7 mL of Sterile Water for Injection to provide 7.5 mL containing 2 mg/mL of verteporfin. Reconstituted VISUDYNE must be protected from light and used within 4 hours. ( 2.3 ) Dilution : Dilute desired dose of reconstituted VISUDYNE with 5% Dextrose for Injection to a total infusion volume of 30 mL. ( 2.3 ) Infusion : Administer intravenously over 10 minutes at a rate of 3 mL/minute, using an appropriate syringe pump and in-line filter. ( 2.3 ) Light Administration : The recommended light dose is 50 J/cm 2 of neovascular lesion administered at an intensity of 600 mW/cm 2 . The wavelength of the laser light should be 689±3 nm. This light dose is administered over 83 seconds, starting 15 minutes after the start of the VISUDYNE infusion. ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions A course of VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection) therapy is a two-step process requiring administration of both drug and light. The first step is the administration of VISUDYNE. The second step is the activation of VISUDYNE with light from a nonthermal diode laser. The physician should re-evaluate the patient 3 months after treatment and if choroidal neovascular leakage is detected on fluorescein angiography, therapy may be repeated. Lesion Size Determination The greatest linear dimension (GLD) of the lesion should be estimated by fluorescein angiography and color fundus photography. All classic and occult CNV, blood and/or blocked fluorescence, and any serous detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium should be included for this measurement. Fundus cameras with magnification within the range of 2.4-2.6X are recommended. The GLD of the lesion on the fluorescein angiogram must be corrected for the magnification of the fundus camera to obtain the GLD of the lesion on the retina. Spot Size Determination The treatment spot size should be 1,000 microns larger than the GLD of the lesion on the retina to allow a 500 micron border, ensuring full coverage of the lesion. The maximum spot size used in the clinical trials was 6,400 microns. The nasal edge of the treatment spot must be positioned at least 200 microns from the temporal edge of the optic disc, even if this will result in lack of photoactivation of CNV within 200 microns of the optic nerve. 2.2 Recommended Dosage of VISUDYNE The recommended dose of VISUDYNE is 6 mg/m 2 body surface area. 2.3 VISUDYNE Administration Avoid contact with the eyes and skin during preparation and administration of VISUDYNE. Because of the potential to induce photosensitivity reactions, any exposed person must be protected from bright light [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and How Supplied/Storage and Handling ( 16 )] . Reconstitution Reconstitute each vial of VISUDYNE with 7 mL of Sterile Water for Injection. Each reconstituted vial provides 7.5 mL solution containing 2 mg/mL of verteporfin. Reconstituted VISUDYNE must be protected from light and used within 4 hours. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Reconstituted VISUDYNE is an opaque dark green solution. Dilution VISUDYNE may precipitate in saline solutions. Do not use normal saline or other parenteral solutions, except 5% Dextrose for Injection, for dilution of the reconstituted VISUDYNE. Do not mix VISUDYNE in the same solution with other drugs. The volume of reconstituted VISUDYNE required to achieve the desired dose of 6 mg/m 2 body surface area is withdrawn from the vial and diluted with 5% Dextrose for Injection to a total infusion volume of 30 mL. After dilution, protect from light and use within 4 hours. Intravenous Infusion The full infusion volume is administered intravenously over 10 minutes at a rate of 3 mL/minute, using an appropriate syringe pump and in-line filter. The clinical studies were conducted using a standard infusion line filter of 1.2 microns. Precautions should be taken to prevent extravasation at the injection site. If extravasation occurs, protect the site from light [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . 2.4 Light Administration Initiate 689 nm wavelength laser light delivery to the patient 15 minutes after the start of the 10-minute infusion with VISUDYNE. Photoactivation of VISUDYNE is controlled by the total light dose delivered. In the treatment of CNV, the recommended light dose is 50 J/cm 2 of neovascular lesion administered at an intensity of 600 mW/cm 2 . This dose is administered over 83 seconds. Light dose, light intensity, ophthalmic lens magnification factor and zoom lens setting are important parameters for the appropriate delivery of light to the predetermined treatment spot. Follow the laser system manuals for procedure set up and operations. The laser system must deliver a stable power output at a wavelength of 689±3 nm. Light is delivered to the retina as a single circular spot via a fiber optic and a slit lamp, using a suitable ophthalmic magnification lens. The following laser systems have been tested for compatibility with VISUDYNE and are approved for delivery of a stable power output at a wavelength of 689±3 nm: Coherent Opal Photoactivator laser console and modified Coherent LaserLink adapter, manufactured by Lumenis, Inc., 2400 Condensa Street, Santa Clara, CA 95051-0901, Zeiss VISULAS 690s laser and VISULINK PDT adapter manufactured by Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., 5160 Hacienda Drive, Dublin, CA 94568, Ceralas I laser system and Ceralink Slit Lamp Adapter manufactured by Biolitec Inc., 515 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028, Quantel Activis laser console and the ZSL30 ACT, ZSL120 ACT and HSBMBQ ACT slit lamp adapters distributed by Quantel Medical, 601 Haggerty Lane, Bozeman, MT 59715. 2.5 Concurrent Bilateral Treatment The controlled trials only allowed treatment of one eye per patient. In patients who present with eligible lesions in both eyes, physicians should evaluate the potential benefits and risks of treating both eyes concurrently. If the patient has already received previous VISUDYNE therapy in one eye with an acceptable safety profile, both eyes can be treated concurrently after a single administration of VISUDYNE. The more aggressive lesion should be treated first, at 15 minutes after the start of infusion. Immediately at the end of light application to the first eye, the laser settings should be adjusted to introduce the treatment parameters for the second eye, with the same light dose and intensity as for the first eye, starting no later than 20 minutes from the start of infusion. In patients who present for the first time with eligible lesions in both eyes without prior VISUDYNE therapy, it is prudent to treat only one eye (the most aggressive lesion) at the first course. One week after the first course, if no significant safety issues are identified, the second eye can be treated using the same treatment regimen after a second VISUDYNE infusion. Approximately 3 months later, both eyes can be evaluated and concurrent treatment following a new VISUDYNE infusion can be started if both lesions still show evidence of leakage.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection) is contraindicated for patients with porphyria or a known hypersensitivity to any component of this preparation [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )] . VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection) is contraindicated for patients with porphyria or a known hypersensitivity to any component of this preparation. ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Extravasation : If extravasation occurs, the infusion should be stopped immediately. The extravasation area must be thoroughly protected from direct light until swelling and discoloration have faded in order to prevent the occurrence of local burn. ( 5.1 ) Exposure to Sun or Direct Light : Following injection with VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection), care should be taken to avoid exposure of skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for 5 days. ( 5.2 ) Anaphylactic Reactions : Immediately discontinue administration of VISUDYNE and initiate appropriate therapy if an anaphylactic or other serious allergic reaction occurs during or following infusion. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Local Adverse Reactions - Extravasation Standard precautions should be taken during infusion of VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection) to avoid extravasation. Examples of standard precautions include, but are not limited to: A free-flowing intravenous (IV) line should be established before starting VISUDYNE infusion and the line should be carefully monitored. Due to the possible fragility of vein walls of some elderly patients, it is strongly recommended that the largest arm vein possible, preferably antecubital, be used for injection. Small veins in the back of the hand should be avoided. Extravasation of VISUDYNE, especially if the affected area is exposed to light, can cause severe pain, inflammation, swelling or discoloration at the injection site. Localized (skin) necrosis at the injection site following extravasation has also been reported. If extravasation does occur, the infusion should be stopped immediately. The extravasation area must be thoroughly protected from direct light until swelling and discoloration have faded in order to prevent the occurrence of local burn, which could be severe. Cold compresses should be applied to the injection site. Oral medications for pain relief may be administered. 5.2 Exposure to Sun or Direct Light Following injection with VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection), care should be taken to avoid exposure of skin or eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light for 5 days. In the event of extravasation during infusion, the extravasation area must be thoroughly protected from direct light until the swelling and discoloration have faded in order to prevent the occurrence of a local burn which could be severe. If emergency surgery is necessary within 48 hours after treatment, as much of the internal tissue as possible should be protected from intense light. 5.3 Decreased Vision After Treatment Patients who experience severe decrease of vision of 4 lines or more within 1 week after treatment should not be retreated, at least until their vision completely recovers to pretreatment levels and the potential benefits and risks of subsequent treatment are carefully considered by the treating physician. 5.4 Anaphylactic Reactions Cases of anaphylactic reactions have been reported in patients receiving VISUDYNE. Medical supervision is recommended during infusion. If an anaphylactic or other serious allergic reaction occurs during or following infusion, administration of VISUDYNE should be discontinued immediately and appropriate therapy should be initiated.
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Drug interaction studies in humans have not been conducted with VISUDYNE. Verteporfin is rapidly eliminated by the liver, mainly as unchanged drug. Metabolism is limited and occurs by liver and plasma esterases. Microsomal cytochrome P450 does not appear to play a role in verteporfin metabolism. Based on the mechanism of action of verteporfin, many drugs used concomitantly could influence the effect of VISUDYNE therapy. Possible examples include the following: Calcium channel blockers, polymyxin B or radiation therapy could enhance the rate of VISUDYNE uptake by the vascular endothelium. Other photosensitizing agents (e.g., tetracyclines, sulfonamides, phenothiazines, sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agents, thiazide diuretics and griseofulvin) could increase the potential for skin photosensitivity reactions. Compounds that quench active oxygen species or scavenge radicals, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, β-carotene, ethanol, formate and mannitol, would be expected to decrease VISUDYNE activity. Drugs that decrease clotting, vasoconstriction or platelet aggregation, e.g., thromboxane A2 inhibitors, could also decrease the efficacy of VISUDYNE therapy.
Adverse reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Local Adverse Reactions – Extravasation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Exposure to Sun or Direct Light [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Decreased Vision after Treatment [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Porphyria and Hypersensitivity [see Contraindications ( 4 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ˃10%) are injection site reactions and visual disturbances. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch & Lomb Incorporated at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Severe chest pain, vasovagal and hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. Vasovagal and hypersensitivity reactions on rare occasions can be severe. These reactions may include syncope, sweating, dizziness, rash, dyspnea, flushing and changes in blood pressure and heart rate. General symptoms can include headache, malaise, urticaria, and pruritus. The most frequently reported adverse reactions to VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection) are injection site reactions (including pain, edema, inflammation, extravasation, rashes, hemorrhage and discoloration) and visual disturbances (including blurred vision, flashes of light, decreased visual acuity and visual field defects, including scotoma). These events occurred in approximately 10%-30% of patients. The following events, listed by Body System, were reported more frequently with VISUDYNE therapy than with placebo therapy and occurred in 1%-10% of patients: Ocular Treatment Site: Blepharitis, cataracts, conjunctivitis/conjunctival injection, dry eyes, ocular itching, severe vision decrease with or without subretinal/retinal or vitreous hemorrhage Body as a Whole: Asthenia, fever, flu syndrome, infusion related pain primarily presenting as back pain, photosensitivity reactions Cardiovascular: Atrial fibrillation, hypertension, peripheral vascular disorder, varicose veins Dermatologic: Eczema Digestive: Constipation, gastrointestinal cancers, nausea Hemic and Lymphatic: Anemia, white blood cell count decreased, white blood cell count increased Hepatic: Elevated liver function tests Metabolic/Nutritional: Albuminuria, creatinine increased Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, arthrosis, myasthenia Nervous System: Hypesthesia, sleep disorder, vertigo Respiratory: Cough, pharyngitis, pneumonia Special Senses: Cataracts, decreased hearing, diplopia, lacrimation disorder Urogenital: Prostatic disorder Severe vision decrease, equivalent of >4 lines, within 7 days after treatment has been reported in 1%-5% of patients. Partial recovery of vision was observed in some patients. Photosensitivity reactions usually occurred in the form of skin sunburn following exposure to sunlight. The higher incidence of back pain in the VISUDYNE group occurred primarily during infusion. The following adverse events have occurred either at low incidence (<1%) during clinical trials or have been reported during the use of VISUDYNE in clinical practice where these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size and frequency of occurrence cannot be determined precisely. They have been chosen for inclusion based on factors such as seriousness, frequency of reporting, possible causal connection to VISUDYNE, or a combination of these factors: Ocular Treatment Site: Retinal detachment (nonrhegmatogenous), retinal or choroidal vessel nonperfusion, retinal pigment epithelial tear. Non-ocular Events: Chest pain and other musculoskeletal pain during infusion, anaphylactic reaction during or following infusion, injection site necrosis.
Use in pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no data with the use of VISUDYNE in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. Intravenous administration of verteporfin to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis produced an increase in the incidence of anophthalmia/microphthalmia and wavy ribs at exposures approximately 40-fold the human exposure at the recommended clinical dose. Verteporfin did not produce adverse fetal effect in rats or rabbits at exposures 6- to 20-fold the human exposure at the recommended clinical dose. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. VISUDYNE should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2%-4% and 15%-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Rat fetuses of dams administered verteporfin for injection intravenously during organogenesis exhibited an increase in the incidence of anophthalmia/microphthalmia and wavy ribs at doses ≥10 mg/kg/day (approximately 40-fold the human exposure at the recommended dose of 6 mg/m 2 , based on AUC in female rats). No teratogenic effects were observed in rat fetuses at a dose of 2 mg/kg/day (approximately 6-fold the human exposure at the recommended dose of 6 mg/m 2 , based on AUC in female rats). In pregnant rabbits, a decrease in maternal body weight gain and food consumption was observed in animals that received verteporfin for injection intravenously at doses up to 10 mg/kg/day during organogenesis. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for maternal toxicity was 3 mg/kg/day (approximately 6-fold the recommended human dose of 6 mg/m 2 , based on body surface area). No teratogenic effects were observed in rabbit fetuses at doses up to 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 20-fold the recommended human dose of 6 mg/m 2 , based on body surface area).

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

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