Type of medicine: macular degeneration therapy
Generic and brand names: ranibizumab, injection; Lucentis
This medicine is given by injection (shot) into the eye to treat wet macular degeneration and macular edema. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Also tell your provider if you have had an eye infection recently.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
These shots are given by your healthcare provider every 1 to 3 months. Keep all appointments for these shots.
In the days after you receive this medicine, you are at risk for eye infection or inflammation. If the eye becomes red, sensitive to light, or painful, or if you notice any change in vision, contact your eye doctor right away. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you can see clearly.
You will need to have eye exams regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe vision changes; red, swollen, or painful eyes; eyes sensitive to light; seeing floating spots; chest pain; sudden headache, confusion, problems with speech or balance; sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of your body; calf swelling or pain; sudden shortness of breath.
Other: Headache, blurred vision, dry eyes, itching eyes, diarrhea, nausea, cough, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or joint pain.
No significant drug interactions have been reported.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
