Lucentis vs. Byooviz for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Key takeaways:
Lucentis and Byooviz are medications that can treat wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). They contain an active ingredient called ranibizumab.
Both medications are effective options to consider for wet AMD. But like all medications, they have a number of possible risks and side effects.
There are ways to save on Lucentis and Byooviz. If you’re eligible, manufacturer savings cards can help make your prescription more affordable. Patient assistance programs are also available.
Table of contents
Wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) — a complicated phrase for a complex eye condition. But if you live with wet AMD, it’s easy to understand how stifling the condition can be. Wet AMD can interfere with your daily life by causing distorted, cloudy, and fuzzy vision.
Nobody wants these kinds of vision problems. To prevent wet AMD symptoms from getting worse, a number of wet macular degeneration injections are available. Some of the first-choice options are called anti-VEGF medications, and they all aim to improve or preserve your vision.
A few anti-VEGF medications even share a key ingredient. Lucentis and Byooviz both contain ranibizumab. Depending on your situation, they’re possibilities for you to consider using. So, can your ophthalmologist (a type of eye doctor) randomly choose to give you one over the other? Or is there more than meets the eye?
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Here, we’ll go over what you need to know about Lucentis and Byooviz.
What is Lucentis?
Lucentis (ranibizumab) is an FDA-approved medication that treats wet AMD. But it also treats other eye conditions, such as diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and two others. Lucentis is the first version of ranibizumab that was approved.
Lucentis is also a biologic medication, which is a type of natural medication that’s made from living sources, such as proteins, tissues, and sugars. It’s injected into your eye to help slow down vision loss.
What is Byooviz?
Byooviz (ranibizumab-nuna) is a biosimilar version of Lucentis. It was approved in September 2021 to treat wet AMD and two other eye conditions.
But what exactly is a biosimilar? Because biologics are complex, it’s impossible to make exact copies of them. But it is possible to make alternative versions of them that don’t have clinically meaningful differences from the original product. A biosimilar is an alternative version of an original (reference) medication. Here, the reference medication is Lucentis.
This is a similar relationship to chemical-based brand and generic medications. Just like generic acetaminophen is very comparable to Tylenol, Byooviz is highly similar to Lucentis.
How does ranibizumab work for wet AMD?
Because Lucentis and Byooviz contain ranibizumab, they work the same way as each other. Ranibizumab works by blocking a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
VEGF’s main job is to make new blood vessels. But too much VEGF can cause damaged blood vessels that leak fluid into your eye. This can cause and worsen wet AMD.
By blocking VEGF from functioning in your eye, ranibizumab helps control leaky blood vessels. It also prevents new ones from being made. This helps treat wet AMD.
How are Lucentis and Byooviz dosed and given?
Lucentis and Byooviz are dosed and given the same way as each other when treating wet AMD.
| Lucentis | Byooviz | |
|---|---|---|
| Medication type | Eye injection | Eye injection |
| Dose | 0.5 mg | 0.5 mg |
| Dosing frequency | Every month | Every month |
| When can it be used? | No restrictions | No restrictions |
| Who gives it? | Opthamologist | Opthamologist |
How effective are Lucentis and Byooviz for treating wet AMD?
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, anti-VEGF medications like ranibizumab are effective at preventing vision loss from wet AMD. They can also help improve quality of life. But how effective are they, exactly?
Most of what we know about Lucentis and Byooviz’s effectiveness come from clinical trials. In these studies, effectiveness was assessed by looking at the results of eye exams.
Two studies that talk about Lucentis’ effectiveness for wet AMD are called MARINA and ANCHOR. In the MARINA study, about 90% of people receiving Lucentis 0.5 mg every month maintained their vision after about 2 years. The ANCHOR study had similar results after about 2 years.
Because Byooviz was approved as a biosimilar to Lucentis, it’s thought to be similarly effective as Lucentis.
What are the known side effects of Lucentis and Byooviz?
Lucentis and Byooviz are injected into your eyes. Because of this, possible side effects usually affect your eyes directly. There aren’t too many systemic (body-wide) side effects.
Some of the more common side effects are discussed below. These side effects were reported after roughly 1 year of treatment.
| Side Effect | Lucentis and Byooviz |
|---|---|
| Red patches in the white of the eye | 64% |
| Eye redness | 7% |
| Eye pain | 26% |
| Eye specks (floaters) | 19% |
| Elevated eye pressure | 17% |
| Eye inflammation (swelling) | 13% |
| Eye irritation | 13% |
| Blurry vision | 13% |
| Feeling like something is in your eye | 13% |
What are the serious side effects of Lucentis and Byooviz?
A number of serious side effects are also possible. If you’re experiencing any of these side effects — or think you’re experiencing them — seek medical attention right away:
Endophthalmitis, a type of eye infection
Retinal detachment, which is when your retina (the part of your eye that tells your brain what you’re seeing) is forced out of place
Rare blood clotting events, which can potentially lead to a heart attack or stroke
What interactions do Lucentis and Byooviz have?
Not much is known about interactions between ranibizumab and other medications. Official drug interaction studies haven’t been performed. If you’re concerned about any potential drug interactions with Lucentis or Byooviz, it’s recommended to talk to your pharmacist or ophthalmologist for advice.
How to save on Lucentis and Byooviz
Lucentis and Byooviz are only available as brand-name medications. But GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save on your prescription.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for the Lucentis or Byooviz patient assistance programs, which offer the medications at no charge.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance and meet eligibility requirements, Lucentis’ price is as little as $5 if you use the manufacturer’s savings card. Byooviz’s price can also be reduced if you use the manufacturer’s savings card.
Can you take Lucentis and Byooviz together for wet AMD?
No. You shouldn’t combine them in most cases. This is because Lucentis and Byooviz work the same way.
The bottom line
Lucentis and Byooviz are biologic anti-VEGF medications that contain ranibizumab. Lucentis and Byooviz are both injectable medications that treat wet AMD, and a few other eye conditions. To see if one of these may be an option for you, it’s recommended to speak to your ophthalmologist.
Why trust our experts?
References
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Fong, A. H. C., et al. (2013). Long-term effectiveness of ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. Clinical Interventions in Aging.
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