Lucentis

Generic name: ranibizumab (ophthalmic)
Drug class: Anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents

Medically reviewed by A Ras MD.

What is Lucentis used for?

Lucentis is a prescription medicine that isused to treat macular degeneration. It is used to treat macular swelling. Lucentis is also used to treat some eye problems caused by diabetes. Lucentis may be given to you for other reasons.

Description

LUCENTIS® (ranibizumab injection) is a recombinant humanized IgG1 kappa isotype monoclonal antibody fragment designed for intraocular use. Ranibizumab binds to and inhibits the biologic activity of human vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Ranibizumab, which lacks an Fc region, has a molecular weight of approximately 48 kilodaltons and is produced by an E. coli expression system in a nutrient medium containing the antibiotic tetracycline. Tetracycline is not detectable in the final product.

LUCENTIS is a sterile, colorless to pale yellow solution in a single-use prefilled syringe or a single-use glass vial. LUCENTIS is supplied as a preservative-free, sterile solution in a single-use container designed to deliver 0.05 mL of 10 mg/mL LUCENTIS (0.5 mg dose prefilled syringe or vial) or 6 mg/mL LUCENTIS (0.3 mg dose prefilled syringe or vial) aqueous solution with 10 mM histidine HCl, 10% α,α-trehalose dihydrate, 0.01% polysorbate 20, pH 5.5.

Mechanism of Action

Ranibizumab binds to the receptor binding site of active forms of VEGF-A, including the biologically active, cleaved form of this molecule, VEGF110. VEGF-A has been shown to cause neovascularization and leakage in models of ocular angiogenesis and vascular occlusion and is thought to contribute to pathophysiology of neovascular AMD, mCNV, DR, DME and macular edema following RVO. The binding of ranibizumab to VEGF-A prevents the interaction of VEGF-A with its receptors (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2) on the surface of endothelial cells, reducing endothelial cell proliferation, vascular leakage, and new blood vessel formation.

Before taking Lucentis, tell your doctor:

If you are allergic to this medicine (Lucentis); any part of this medicine (Lucentis); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you have any kind of eye infection.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine (Lucentis).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine (Lucentis) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Lucentis?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine (Lucentis). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Use care when driving or doing other tasks that call for clear eyesight.
Have your eye pressure and eyesight checked as you have been told by the doctor.
This medicine may affect fertility. Fertility problems may lead to not being able to get pregnant or father a child.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this medicine (Lucentis) while you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is Lucentis best taken?

Use this medicine (Lucentis) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Your doctor will give this medicine (Lucentis).
It is given as a shot into the eye.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are the side effects of Lucentis that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.
Eyelid swelling.
Eye discharge.
Bleeding in the eye.
Eye is bothered by bright light.
Red eyes.
The chance of heart attack or stroke due to blood clots may be raised. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of heart attack like chest pain that may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach; abnormal sweating; or feeling sick or throwing up. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of stroke like weakness on 1 side of the body; eyesight, speech, or balance problems; drooping on 1 side of the face; feeling confused; or severe headache.

What are some other side effects of Lucentis?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Dry eyes.
Seeing floaters.
Feeling that something is in the eye.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Lucentis?

If you need to store this medicine (Lucentis) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Label

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL – 0.5 MG SYRINGE CARTON

NDC 50242-080-03
LUCENTIS®
RANIBIZUMAB INJECTION
0.5 mg DOSE PREFILLED SYRINGE
STERILE. SINGLE USE.
INDICATED FOR
Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (wAMD)
Macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO)
Myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV)
0.5 mg | wAMD | RVO | mCNV
For intravitreal injection only.
Rx only
KEEP REFRIGERATED. DO NOT FREEZE.
PROTECT FROM LIGHT.
Genentech
10198961