ranibizumab (ophthalmic)

Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to ranibizumab, or if you have an infection in or around your eye. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma.

Ranibizumab is given as an injection into your eye. Your doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before giving you the injection. You will receive this injection in your doctor's office or other clinic setting.

Ranibizumab is usually given once a month. After you have received the first 4 injections, your doctor may change your injection schedule to once every 3 months. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: vision changes, eye pain or redness, discharge or bleeding from your eye, increased eye sensitivity to light, swelling around the eye, or seeing flashes of light.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment to receive your ranibizumab injection.

Ranibizumab is made from a human antibody fragment. It works by keeping new blood vessels from forming under the retina (a sensory membrane that lines the inside of the eye). In people with a certain type of eye disease, new blood vessels grow under the retina where they leak blood and fluid. This is known as the "wet form" of macular degeneration.

Ranibizumab is used to treat the wet form of age-related macular degeneration.

Ranibizumab may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to ranibizumab, or if you have an infection in or around your eye.

Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, or a history of blood clots or stroke.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether ranibizumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Ranibizumab is given as an injection into your eye. Your doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before giving you the injection. You will receive this injection in your doctor's office or other clinic setting.

Ranibizumab is usually given once a month. After you have received the first 4 injections, your doctor may change your injection schedule to once every 3 months. Follow your doctor's instructions.

For at least 30 minutes after your injection, your eyes will be checked periodically to make sure the injection has not caused any side effects.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your eyes will also need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment to receive your ranibizumab injection.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a ranizumab overdose may include eye pain or vision changes.

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while receiving ranibizumab unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• vision changes;
• eye pain, redness, or irritation;
• discharge or bleeding from the eye;
• increased eye sensitivity to light;
• swelling around your eye;
• seeing "stars" or flashes of light, especially in your peripheral (side) vision;
• pain or burning when you urinate.
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; or
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• itchy or watery eyes;
• dry eyes;
• blurred vision;
• runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat; or
• joint or muscle pain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

There may be other drugs that can affect ranibizumab. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist has information about ranibizumab written for health professionals that you may read.

Ranibizumab is available with a prescription under the brand name Lucentis. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.