Diclofenac and Verteporfin (combination)

The combination of diclofenac and verteporfin has been studied in ophthalmology, particularly for treating conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can be administered topically as eye drops, orally, or intravenously, while verteporfin is a photosensitizing agent used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treating abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye.\n\n## Clinical Applications\n\nStudies have investigated the adjunctive use of diclofenac with verteporfin therapy for treating predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to AMD[1]. In one randomized, multicenter, prospective, placebo-controlled, double-masked clinical trial, patients were given either diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution 0.1% or placebo alongside verteporfin therapy[1][3].\n\nThe administration protocol typically involved:\n- Topical diclofenac: Two drops four times daily, starting 2-4 days before verteteporfin treatment and continuing until 2 weeks after treatment, then two drops twice daily for 10 weeks[1][3]\n- Verteporfin: Administered intravenously, followed by photodynamic therapy with laser light 15 minutes after the start of infusion[5]\n\nIntravenous diclofenac has also been studied as a prophylactic treatment to prevent verteporfin-associated lower back pain (LBP) in patients[2][4].\n\n## Efficacy Results\n\nIn the study of topical diclofenac with verteporfin therapy for AMD, the results showed:\n- No significant differences in visual acuity outcomes between diclofenac and placebo groups[1]\n- Similar percentages of eyes with stable or improved vision in both groups[1]\n- No significant between-group differences in changes from baseline in lesion area, greatest linear dimension, fluorescein leakage, or retinal thickness[1]\n\nThe study concluded that administration of topical diclofenac with verteporfin therapy was associated with similar vision outcomes to placebo plus verteporfin therapy in patients with predominantly classic subfoveal CNV due to AMD[1].\n\nFor intravenous diclofenac as prophylaxis for verteporfin-associated lower back pain, studies have shown that it effectively prevented this side effect when administered shortly before verteporfin infusion[2][4].\n\nThis combination represents an approach to potentially enhance the efficacy or reduce side effects of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in ophthalmologic conditions, though the primary study did not demonstrate significant advantages of adding diclofenac for visual outcomes in AMD patients.