Lucentis (ranibizumab) is made from a human antibody fragment. It works by keeping new blood vessels from forming under the retina (a sensory membrane that lines the inside of the eye). In people with a certain type of eye disease, new blood vessels grow under the retina where they leak blood and fluid. This is known as the "wet form" of macular degeneration.
Lucentis is used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration. Lucentis is also used to treat swelling in the retina caused by diabetes or by a blockage in the blood vessels.
Lucentis is also used to treat diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic macular edema.
Lucentis may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not receive Lucentis if you are allergic to ranibizumab, or if you have any type of infection in or around your eyes.
Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, or a history of blood clots or stroke.
Call your doctor at once if you have sudden vision problems, eye pain or irritation, discharge or bleeding from the eye, swelling around your eye, seeing flashes of light or "floaters" in your vision, sudden numbness or weakness in your body, sudden severe headache, or problems with speech or balance.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment to receive your Lucentis injection. The timing of your monthly injections is very important for this medication to be effective.
Before receiving Lucentis
You should not receive Lucentis if you are allergic to ranibizumab, or if you have any type of infection in or around your eyes.
To make sure you can safely receive Lucentis, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, or a history of blood clots or stroke.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Lucentis will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether ranibizumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
How is Lucentis given?
Lucentis is given as an injection into your eye. Your doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before giving you the injection. You will receive this injection in your doctor"s office or other clinic setting.
For a short time after your injection, your eyes will be checked periodically to make sure the injection has not caused any side effects.
Lucentis is usually given once every month. After you have received the first 4 injections, your doctor may change your injection schedule to once every 3 months.
Follow your doctor"s dosing instructions very carefully. The timing of your monthly injections is very important for this medication to be effective.
To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your eyes will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment to receive your Lucentis injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
What should I avoid?
Lucentis may cause blurred vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.
Lucentis side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Lucentis: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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eye pain or redness, swelling around your eyes;
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sudden vision problems;
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discharge or bleeding from the eye;
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eyes being more sensitive to light;
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seeing flashes of light or "floaters" in your vision;
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feeling like something is in your eye;
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sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
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sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with speech or balance; or
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pain or burning when you urinate.
Less serious Lucentis side effects may include:
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itchy or watery eyes;
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dry eyes, swelling of the eyelids;
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blurred vision;
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sinus pain, sore throat, cough; or
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joint pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Lucentis?
There may be other drugs that can interact with Lucentis. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
