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Medications for Macular Edema

Macular edema is an eye condition characterized by a buildup of fluid in the macula, an important area of the eye located in the middle of the retina. This condition occurs when blood vessels in the eye start to leak fluid, allowing fluid to build up in the macula. This fluid causes the macula to swell and thicken, leading to blurred and distorted vision.

Drugs used to treat Macular Edema

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Eylea 6.0 8 reviews for Eylea to treat Macular Edema Rx C N
Generic name:
aflibercept ophthalmic
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Ozurdex 6.7 3 reviews for Ozurdex to treat Macular Edema Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lucentis 6.7 4 reviews for Lucentis to treat Macular Edema Rx C N
Generic name:
ranibizumab ophthalmic
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Vabysmo Rate Add review Rx N
Generic name:
faricimab ophthalmic
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
dexamethasone 6.7 3 reviews for dexamethasone to treat Macular Edema Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone ophthalmic
Brand names:
Ozurdex, Maxidex
Drug class:
ophthalmic steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
faricimab Rate Add review Rx N
Generic name:
faricimab ophthalmic
Brand name:
Vabysmo
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Maxidex Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Iluvien Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
fluocinolone ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
triamcinolone 7.0 1 review for triamcinolone to treat Macular Edema Rx D N
Generic name:
triamcinolone ophthalmic
Brand name:
Xipere
Drug class:
ophthalmic steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
fluocinolone 10 2 reviews for fluocinolone to treat Macular Edema Rx C N
Generic name:
fluocinolone ophthalmic
Brand names:
Iluvien, Retisert
Drug class:
ophthalmic steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
ranibizumab 7.0 5 reviews for ranibizumab to treat Macular Edema Rx C N
Generic name:
ranibizumab ophthalmic
Brand names:
Lucentis, Byooviz, Cimerli
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Retisert 10 2 reviews for Retisert to treat Macular Edema Rx C N
Generic name:
fluocinolone ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Eylea HD Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
aflibercept ophthalmic
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
aflibercept 5.6 9 reviews for aflibercept to treat Macular Edema Rx C N
Generic name:
aflibercept ophthalmic
Brand names:
Eylea, Eylea HD, Ahzantive, Opuviz, Pavblu, Yesafili
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Xipere 7.0 1 review for Xipere to treat Macular Edema Rx D N
Generic name:
triamcinolone ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Byooviz Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
ranibizumab ophthalmic
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cimerli Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
ranibizumab ophthalmic
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Ahzantive Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
aflibercept ophthalmic
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
Opuviz Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
aflibercept ophthalmic
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
Pavblu Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
aflibercept ophthalmic
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
Yesafili Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
aflibercept ophthalmic
Drug class:
anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects

Frequently asked questions

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Topics under Macular Edema

Learn more about Macular Edema

Care guides

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.