Treats a disorder of the retina of the eye called wet age-related macular degeneration.
Brand Name(s):
Lucentis
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to ranibizumab, or if you have an infection in or around your eye.
How to Use This Medicine:
Injectable
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
This medicine is given as an injection into your eyes.
This medicine is usually given once a month (about 28 days). In some patients, it may be given once every three months after the first four injections.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have received a light treatment with verteporfin (Visudyne®) within the past 7 days.
Warnings While Using This Medicine:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma or other eye problems.
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
This medicine may cause serious eye infection. Tell your doctor immediately if your eyes become red, painful, sensitive to light, or develop a change in vision. Also, tell your doctor if you are having an increased pressure in the eye.
This medicine may increase your risk of blood clots. Check with your doctor right away if you are having pain in your chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves; difficulty breathing; severe, sudden headache; slurred speech; sudden, unexplained shortness of breath; sudden loss of coordination; sudden, severe weakness or numbness in your arm or leg; or vision changes.
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Bleeding in your eyes.
Blurred vision, seeing floating spots, or sensitivity to light.
Burning while urinating, or a change in how much or how often you urinate.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
Fast or irregular heartbeat.
Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat.
Increased hunger or thirst.
Increased pressure in the eye.
Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
Pain in your lower leg (calf).
Painful skin blisters.
Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.
Swelling, redness, severe pain, or itching of your eyes or eyelids.
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Diarrhea, nausea, or stomach pain.
Irritated, dry or watery eyes, or feeling that something is in your eyes.
