Lucentis

Indications

Ranibizumab is used to treat eye diseases in which abnormal, leaky blood vessels grow at the back of the eye and damage the retina. These include wet (neovascular) age related macular degeneration, swelling of the central retina caused by diabetes (diabetic macular oedema), macular swelling after a blockage of a retinal vein, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, abnormal vessel growth linked to severe short sightedness (myopic choroidal neovascularisation), and retinopathy of prematurity in premature babies.

How It Works

Ranibizumab is a fragment of a monoclonal antibody (a laboratory made protein). It binds to and blocks vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), a signal that makes new blood vessels grow and leak. Blocking it reduces leakage and swelling in the retina and slows the growth of abnormal vessels, which helps to stabilise or improve vision.

Dosage and Administration

Ranibizumab is given only by a qualified eye specialist as an injection into the eye (intravitreal injection) under sterile conditions, after numbing drops and cleaning of the eye. Treatment usually starts with monthly injections, then continues at intervals set by the specialist according to vision tests and eye scans. The dose and schedule are as prescribed. Keep all follow up appointments.

Interactions

No important interactions with medicines taken by mouth are known. Other anti VEGF medicines such as Aflibercept or Bevacizumab should not be given at the same time in the same eye. Tell your doctor about other eye treatments and blood thinners such as Warfarin.

Contraindications

• Allergy to ranibizumab or any ingredient of the injection.
• Active or suspected infection in or around the eye.
• Active severe inflammation inside the eye.

Side Effects

Common: eye pain or discomfort, red eye or a small bleed on the white of the eye at the injection site, floaters, blurred vision and raised pressure inside the eye for a short time after the injection, eye irritation and watery eyes. Rare but serious: infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis), inflammation, retinal tear or detachment, and cataract from the injection. Very rarely, blood clot events such as stroke have been reported.

Get urgent medical help, or contact your eye specialist the same day, if in the days after an injection you have increasing eye pain or redness, sudden reduction or loss of vision, sensitivity to light, many new floaters or flashes, or a curtain over part of your vision. Also seek urgent help for signs of stroke such as sudden weakness of one side or difficulty speaking.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Ranibizumab is not recommended during pregnancy because blocking VEGF may affect the developing baby. Women who could become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last injection. It is not recommended while breastfeeding.

Precautions and Warnings

Each injection carries a small risk of infection and raised eye pressure; your eye will be checked afterwards. Vision may be blurred after the injection, so do not drive until it clears. Tell the specialist about glaucoma, a history of stroke or mini stroke, or any eye infection. Treatment in both eyes on the same day needs special care.

Overdose

Overdose is unlikely because it is given by a specialist. Too much volume can raise the pressure in the eye; the specialist will check and treat this if needed.

Therapeutic Class

Ophthalmic anti VEGF agent, monoclonal antibody fragment

Storage

Store in a refrigerator at 2 to 8°C. Do not freeze. Keep in the outer carton to protect from light. Kept by the hospital or clinic, as directed on the pack.