What are other names for this medicine?
Type of medicine: macular degeneration therapy
Generic and brand names: ranibizumab, injection; Lucentis
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is given by injection (shot) to treat neovascular
(wet) age-related macular degeneration (an eye disease).
What should my healthcare provider know before I take this
medicine?
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you
have ever had:
- an allergic reaction to any medicine
- a detached retina
- blood clots
- glaucoma
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.
How do I use it?
These shots are given by your healthcare provider every 1 to 3
months. Keep all appointments for these shots.
What should I watch out for?
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.
What are the possible side effects?
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, dizziness,
diarrhea, nausea, cough, runny nose, muscle or joint pain.
What products might interact with this medicine?
No significant drug interactions have been reported.
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.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
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