Ranibizumab, Injection

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.