Iluvien
Iluvien (fluocinolone) is an eye implant that delivers medication into your eyes to treat diabetic macular edema. Retisert and Yutiq are brand medications of the fluocinolone implant used to treat long-term eye inflammation not caused by infections (e.g., eye injury, disease). The implant must be inserted into your eye by a healthcare provider, and it can last about 3 years.
What is Iluvien (fluocinolone)?
What is Iluvien (fluocinolone) used for?
- Diabetic macular edema (DME) - Iluvien brand only
- Chronic non-infectious inflammation (uveitis) to the back of the eye (e.g., eye injury, disease) - Retisert and Yutiq brand only
How Iluvien (fluocinolone) works
Iluvien (fluocinolone) is a corticosteroid eye medication. It decreases inflammation and discomfort in your eye.
Drug facts
Side effects of Iluvien (fluocinolone)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Eye floaters (21%)
- Eye pain (15%)
- Red patch on the whites of eye (13%)
- Low red blood cells (11%)
- Headache (9%)
- Kidney problems (9%)
- Eye irritation (8%)
- Pneumonia (7%)
*Side effects for Iluvien brand only
Less Common Side Effects
- Watery eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Feeling that something is in your eyes
- Eyes sensitive to light
- Eye discomfort
- Eye discharge
*Side effects for Iluvien brand only
Iluvien (fluocinolone) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Cataracts (will require surgical removal)
The following Iluvien (fluocinolone) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Blurry vision, vision loss, seeing wavy or bent objects or blind spots with dark, light, or flashing spots
- New or worsening eye pain, redness, irritation, or discharge
- Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Eye irritation or itching
- Headache
- Sensitivity to light
Pros and cons of Iluvien (fluocinolone)
Pros
- Iluvien injection lasts for 3 years, unlike other medication options which need to be injected more often
- No interactions with other medications
Cons
- Not a first-choice option for treating diabetic macular edema
- Can cause high eye pressure and cataracts
Pharmacist tips for Iluvien (fluocinolone)
- Iluvien (fluocinolone) will be injected into your eye by a healthcare provider in their office. You won't need to have surgery or stiches when you get Iluvien (fluocinolone) put in.
- You might have blurry vision right after the medication is injected. Don't drive or operate machinery until this gets better.
- Get medical help right away if your eye becomes red, painful, sensitive to light, or if you have a change in your vision. These might be signs of a complication from Iluvien (fluocinolone).
Common questions about Iluvien (fluocinolone)
Iluvien (fluocinolone) is used to treat diabetic macular edema (DME). DME is a serious complication of diabetes where small holes in the blood vessels leads to fluid buildup in the eye. If not treated, DME can lead to vision problems and blindness.
Iluvien (fluocinolone) must be given by a healthcare provider, so you won't be able to pick it up at the pharmacy. Medications given in healthcare facilities are typically covered by your medical insurance. You can ask your provider if they can provide an estimate for the cost, but they might not know how much your insurance company will cover.
Yes, Iluvien (fluocinolone) is a corticosteroid and works the same way as other steroid medications, such as prednisone. It's given directly in the eye, so it doesn't cause as many side effects in the rest of the body compared to oral steroid medications.
You won't need surgery or need to stay overnight in a hospital. Your eye specialist will likely numb your eye first, then deliver the Iluvien (fluocinolone) implant with a tiny needle. You may feel a little bit of pressure as this is happening. You won't need any stiches afterwards.
Your eye specialist can remove the Iluvien (fluocinolone) implant if it has moved to a part of the eye where it's not supposed to be. You'll need to go back to their office so they can remove it safely.
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Risks and warnings for Iluvien (fluocinolone)
Iluvien (fluocinolone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Injection-related side effects
Iluvien (fluocinolone) is given as an injectable implant directly in the eye. This administration can cause some serious eye problems, like retinal detachment, eye inflammation, and greater eye pressure. Make sure you have follow-up appointments with your provider so they can monitor your eyes. Contact your provider if you experience eye pain or changes to your vision.
Steroid-related side effects
- Risk factors: History of herpes simplex eye infection
Corticosteroids, like Iluvien (fluocinolone), can cause many eye-related side effects, such as cataracts, higher eye pressure, and glaucoma. Corticosteroids can also raise your risk of infection. Let your provider know if you have a history of viral eye infections. There might be other medications that are better options for you.
Implant dislodgement
- Risk factors: No posterior capsule of the lens | Tear in posterior capsule
It's possible that Iluvien (fluocinolone) can move to the front region of the eye. This is more common in people who don't have a protective posterior capsule in their lens of their eyes or have a tear in the posterior capsule. Make sure you're having regular check-ups with your provider so they can monitor your implant.
Iluvien (fluocinolone) dosage
Typical dosage for Iluvien (fluocinolone)
The fluocinolone implant is inserted into your eye by a healthcare provider.
- Iluvien brand: The implant delivers 0.25 mcg of fluocinolone per day and lasts for 3 years.
- Retisert brand: The implant delivers 0.25 mcg of fluocinolone per day and lasts for 3 years.
- Yutiq brand: The implant delivers between 0.3 mcg and 0.4 mcg of fluocinolone per day and lasts for 2.5 years.
Iluvien (fluocinolone) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Iluvien (fluocinolone) will not be safe for you to take.
- Eye infection
- Glaucoma (Iluvien brand only)
- Allergy to Iluvien (fluocinolone)
What are alternatives to Iluvien (fluocinolone)?
Conditions related to swelling or damage to the macula or retina (parts of the eye that are important for vision):
Lucentis and all its biosimilars
Lucentis and Cimerli biosimilar only
Iluvien (fluocinolone) images
