Ranibizumab (Injection)

Introduction:

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

Treats a disorder of the retina of the eye called wet age-related macular degeneration.

Brand Name(s):

Lucentis

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• This medicine is given as an injection into your eyes.
• This medicine is usually given once a month (about 28 days). In some patients, it may be given once every three months after the first four injections.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

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

• Make sure your doctor knows if you have received a light treatment with verteporfin (Visudyne®) within the past 7 days.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma or other eye problems.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• This medicine may cause serious eye infection. Tell your doctor immediately if your eyes become red, painful, sensitive to light, or develop a change in vision. Also, tell your doctor if you are having an increased pressure in the eye.
• This medicine may increase your risk of blood clots. Check with your doctor right away if you are having pain in your chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves; difficulty breathing; 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.

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, or sensitivity to light.
• Burning while urinating, or a change in how much or how often you urinate.
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
• Fast or irregular heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat.
• Increased hunger or thirst.
• Increased pressure in the eye.
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
• Pain in your lower leg (calf).
• Painful skin blisters.
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.
• Swelling, redness, severe pain, or itching of your eyes or eyelids.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

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

• Diarrhea, nausea, or stomach pain.
• Irritated, dry or watery eyes, or feeling that something is in your eyes.
• Joint pain.
• Mild headache or dizziness.
• Trouble sleeping.

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