What is Ranibizumab?
Ranibizumab comes from a fragment of human antibody. It prevents new blood vessels from forming beneath the retina (a membrane of sensory receptors that lines the inner surface of the eye). New blood vessels form under the retina in people who have certain eye diseases. They leak fluid and blood.Ranibizumab (for the eye) is used to treat "wet" age-related macular degeneration. Ranibizumab can also be used to treat swelling of the retina due to diabetes or a blockage of the blood vessels.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Ranibizumab.
Side effects of Ranibizumab
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
Ranibizumab may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Eye pain or swelling around the eyes
- Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around light
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Eye discharge or bleeding;
- Seeing flashes, or "floaters", in your vision
- A sudden feeling of numbness or weakness on a side (usually one),
- Symptoms of a sudden, severe headache include problems with speech and balance.
Some of the common side effects associated with ranibizumab include:
- Eye pain or irritation
- Feeling there's something in your eye?
- Itchy or watery eyelids
- Dry eyes and puffy eyelids
- Blurred vision
- Sore neck, a cough,
There may be other side effects.To obtain medical advice regarding side effects, it's best to speak to your physician directly. Alternatively, the FDA can be reached at 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report side effects.
Warnings
If you are allergic or have an infection around or in your eyes, you should not take ranibizumab.If you experience sudden vision problems or eye pain, or if your eyes become more sensitive to the light, call your doctor immediately.It is important to know the exact timing of your monthly injections for this medication.
Before you take this drug
If you have an infection or allergy in your eye or near it, you should not take ranibizumab.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that ranibizumab will be safe for you:
- Glaucoma;
- A history of blood clots or stroke
Unknown is whether ranibizumab can harm an unborn child.Inform your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.There is no way to know if ranibizumab can pass into breast milk or if the drug could harm a nursing infant. Inform your doctor if breastfeeding is a possibility.
How to take Ranibizumab?
Ranibizumab can be injected into your eye. Before giving you the injection, your doctor will use medicine to numb it. This injection will be given in your doctor's clinic or office.Your eyes will be periodically checked for a few days after the injection to ensure that there are no side effects.Ranibizumab can be given every month.If you suffer from macular degeneration, your doctor might change the injection schedule after 3 or 4 initial injections to every 3 months.Do not forget to follow your doctor's instructions. It is important to know when you should inject this medication each month.Regular eye checks are necessary to ensure that the medicine is working and not having any harmful side effects. Don't miss any appointments with your doctor.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for macular degeneration:
Intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg once per month (approximately for 28 days).
Use: Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Adult dose for diabetic retinopathy:
DME and Diabetic Retinopathy:
0.3 mg intravitreal once a week (approximately 14 days).
Macular Edema Following RVO
Intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg once per month (approximately for 28 days).
Uses: diabetic macular edema; diabetic retinopathy in conjunction with DME. Macular edema after retinal vein obstruction (RVO)
Adult dose for macular edema:
Diabetic Retinopathy and DME
0.3 mg intravitreal once a week (approximately 14 days).
Macular edema after RVO
Intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg once per month (approximately for 28 days).
Uses: diabetic macular edema (DME); diabetic retinopathy with DME; macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are unable to keep your appointment for your ranibizumab shot, call your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
Overdoses are unlikely because ranibizumab will be administered by a healthcare provider in a medical environment.
What should be avoided?
This medication can cause blurred vision. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires clear vision.
Interaction with other drug
There are other drugs that may interact with ranibizumab. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your healthcare providers of all the medicines you are taking and those you plan to take.
