What is Ranibizumab?

Commonly Used Brand Name(s)Lucentis

Therapeutic ClassificationsOphthalmologic Agent

Pharmacologic ClassificationsMonoclonal Antibody Fragment

OverviewTOP

Ranibizumab is used to treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a disorder of the retina in the eye that causes blurring of vision or blindness. Ranibizumab works by changing the amount of blood that gets to the eye.

Ranibizumab is also used to treat myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV).

Ranibizumab is used to treat macular edema (swelling of the back of the eye) after retinal vein occlusion (a blood vessel in the eye is blocked). It is also used in diabetic patients who have diabetic macular edema (DME). Macular edema can cause loss of vision. This medicine is also used to treat diabetic retinopathy (eye problem caused by diabetes) in patients with DME.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Proper UseTOP

An eye doctor will give you this medicine as a shot into the eye.

This medicine is usually given once a month (about every 28 days). In some patients, it may be given once every 3 months after the first 4 injections.

Before UsingTOP

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

AllergiesTOP

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

PediatricTOP

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ranibizumab in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

GeriatricTOP

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ranibizumab in the elderly.

Breast FeedingTOP

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug InteractionsTOP

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other InteractionsTOP

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

PrecautionsTOP

Your eye doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few days after you receive this medicine.

Serious eye problems may occur with this medicine. Check with your eye doctor right away if your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, or painful, or if you have a change in vision several days after you receive this medicine. Also, tell your eye doctor if you feel increased pressure in the eye.

This medicine may increase your risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. Check with your doctor right away if you are having pain in your chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves, difficulty with breathing, a 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.