Drug Notes

Ranibizumab (Into the eye)

Ranibizumab (ra-ni-BIZ-oo-mab)

Treats wet age-related macular degeneration, macular edema caused by a blocked blood vessel or diabetes, and diabetic retinopathy.

Brand Name(s):

Lucentis

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into the eye.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how ranibizumab works. Tell your doctor if you have received verteporfin with light therapy in the past 7 days.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, other eye problems, or have an eye infection.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Serious eye infections or a detached retina
  • Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Bleeding in your eyes
• Blurred vision, seeing floating spots, sensitivity to light
• Chest pain that may spread, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, faintness
• Eye pain, swelling, redness, or itching of your eyes or eyelids
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body, pain in your lower leg (calf)
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Irritated, dry, or watery eyes, a feeling that something is in your eyes

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017