Drug interactions
Heparin + Porfimer
Severity: Moderate
Heparin and Porfimer: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Porfimer is a photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy, and its labeling notes that drugs affecting coagulation may increase bleeding risk with treatment. The legacy claim that heparin reduces porfimer effect is not well supported, and the clinical concern is mainly bleeding.
What this interaction means in plain words
Heparin and Porfimer can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Heparin belongs to Cardiovascular; Porfimer belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Anticoagulation may increase bleeding from tissue injury caused by photodynamic therapy; the claimed antagonism is not established.
What to do
Review the need for anticoagulation around photodynamic therapy. Monitor for bleeding at the treatment site, especially in the esophagus or airway.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Heparin
- Defibrotide + Heparin Contraindicated
- Heparin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Heparin + Oritavancin Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Heparin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Heparin Major
- Alteplase + Heparin Major
Other interactions of Porfimer
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Heparin with Porfimer?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Heparin and Porfimer can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Porfimer is a photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy, and its labeling notes that drugs affecting coagulation may increase bleeding risk with treatment. The legacy claim that heparin reduces porfimer effect is not well supported, and the clinical concern is mainly bleeding.
How serious is the interaction between Heparin and Porfimer?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Review the need for anticoagulation around photodynamic therapy. Monitor for bleeding at the treatment site, especially in the esophagus or airway.
What other medicines interact with Heparin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Heparin with, for example, Defibrotide, Ketorolac, Oritavancin. The full list is on the Heparin page.
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