Pronunciation: RA-ni-BIZ-oo-mab
Generic Name: Ranibizumab
Brand Name: Lucentis
Lucentis 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).
Lucentis 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 Lucentis if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Lucentis
- 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 Lucentis:
Some medical conditions may interact with Lucentis. 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 Lucentis. However, no specific interactions with Lucentis are known at this time.
Ask your health care provider if Lucentis 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 Lucentis:
Use Lucentis as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Lucentis is usually given as an injection into the eye at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
- Do not use Lucentis if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Lucentis is for injection into the eye only.
- If you miss a dose of Lucentis, contact your doctor right away.
Important safety information:
- Lucentis may cause vision changes. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Lucentis.
- 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 Lucentis. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Lucentis 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 Lucentis can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Lucentis while you are pregnant. It is not known if Lucentis is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Lucentis, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Lucentis:
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: Lucentis 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. Lucentis may be harmful if swallowed.
Proper storage of Lucentis:
Lucentis is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Lucentis at home, store Lucentis as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Lucentis out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Lucentis, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Lucentis 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 Lucentis. 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 Lucentis resources
- Lucentis Side Effects (in more detail)
- Lucentis Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Lucentis Drug Interactions
- Lucentis Support Group
- 1 Review for Lucentis - Add your own review/rating
- Lucentis Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Lucentis Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Lucentis Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Lucentis Consumer Overview
Compare Lucentis with other medications
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Macular Degeneration
- Macular Edema
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