Pronunciation: RA-ni-BIZ-oo-mab
Generic Name: Ranibizumab
Brand Name: Lucentis
Ranibizumab is used for:
Treating neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is also used for treating another certain eye problem known as macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
Ranibizumab is a selective vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist. It works by decreasing the growth of certain cells in the eye. It also helps to keep blood vessels in the eye from leaking and decreases the formation of new blood vessels in the eye. This slows or stops wet AMD and macular edema following RVO.
Do NOT use Ranibizumab if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Ranibizumab
- you have an infection in or around the eye
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Ranibizumab:
Some medical conditions may interact with Ranibizumab. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if your condition has also been treated with a certain type of light therapy (verteporfin photodynamic therapy)
- if you have a history of glaucoma or other eye problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ranibizumab. However, no specific interactions with Ranibizumab are known at this time.
Ask your health care provider if Ranibizumab may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Ranibizumab:
Use Ranibizumab as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Ranibizumab is usually given as an injection into the eye at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
- Do not use Ranibizumab if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Ranibizumab is for injection into the eye only.
- If you miss a dose of Ranibizumab, contact your doctor right away.
Important safety information:
- Ranibizumab may cause vision changes. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Ranibizumab.
- If you develop eye pain or redness, eye or eyelid swelling, sensitivity to light, or vision changes (eg, decreased vision), contact your doctor right away.
- Lab tests, including eye exams and eye pressure measurements, may be performed while you use Ranibizumab. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Ranibizumab should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Ranibizumab can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Ranibizumab while you are pregnant. It is not known if Ranibizumab is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Ranibizumab, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Ranibizumab:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dry eye; eye discomfort; feeling of something in the eye; headache; increased tears; nausea; nose or throat irritation; seeing floaters or spots.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest, jaw, or left arm pain; decreased vision or other vision changes; eye or eyelid swelling; eye pain, pressure, redness, bleeding, or discharge; sensitivity to light; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat); symptoms of a stroke (eg, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, confusion).
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Ranibizumab side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include eye swelling. Ranibizumab may be harmful if swallowed.
Proper storage of Ranibizumab:
Ranibizumab is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Ranibizumab at home, store Ranibizumab as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Ranibizumab out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Ranibizumab, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Ranibizumab is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Ranibizumab. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Ranibizumab resources
- Ranibizumab Side Effects (in more detail)
- Ranibizumab Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Ranibizumab Drug Interactions
- Ranibizumab Support Group
- 1 Review for Ranibizumab - Add your own review/rating
Compare Ranibizumab with other medications
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- Macular Edema
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