Generic name: ranibizumab (ophthalmic) [ ra-NIB-i-ZUE-mab-off-THAL-mik ]
Drug class: Anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 23, 2023.

What is Lucentis?

Lucentis is made from a human antibody fragment. It works by keeping new blood vessels from forming under the retina (a sensory membrane that lines the inside of the eye). In people with certain types of eye disorders, new blood vessels grow under the retina where they leak blood and fluid.

Lucentis is used to treat the "wet form" of age-related macular degeneration.

Lucentis is also used to treat swelling in the retina caused by diabetes or by a blockage in the blood vessels.

Warnings

You should not receive Lucentis if you are allergic to ranibizumab, or if you have any type of infection in or around your eyes.

Before you receive Lucentis, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, or a history of blood clots or stroke.

Call your doctor at once if you have sudden vision problems, eye pain or irritation, discharge or bleeding from the eye, swelling around your eye, seeing flashes of light or "floaters" in your vision, sudden numbness or weakness in your body, sudden severe headache, or problems with speech or balance.

The timing of your monthly injections is very important for this medication to be effective. Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment to receive your Lucentis injection.

Before taking this medicine

You should not receive Lucentis if you are allergic to it, or if you have any type of infection in or around your eyes.

To make sure Lucentis is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• glaucoma; or

• a history of blood clots or stroke.

It is not known whether Lucentis will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether ranibizumab passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How is Lucentis given?

Lucentis is given as an injection into your eye. Your doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before giving you the injection. You will receive this injection in your doctor's office or other clinic setting.

For a short time after your injection, your eyes will be checked periodically to make sure the injection has not caused any side effects.

Lucentis is usually given once every month.

For people with macular degeneration: After you have received the first 3 or 4 injections, your doctor may change your injection schedule to once every 3 months.

Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. The timing of your monthly injections is very important for this medication to be effective.

To be sure Lucentis is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your eyes will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Macular Degeneration:

0.5 mg via intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days)

Use: Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetic Retinopathy:

-DME and Diabetic Retinopathy with DME:
0.3 mg via intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days)

-Macular Edema following RVO:
0.5 mg via intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days)

Uses: Diabetic macular edema (DME); diabetic retinopathy with DME; macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO)

Usual Adult Dose for Macular Edema:

-DME and Diabetic Retinopathy with DME:
0.3 mg via intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days)

-Macular Edema following RVO:
0.5 mg via intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days)

Uses: Diabetic macular edema (DME); diabetic retinopathy with DME; macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO)

What other drugs will affect Lucentis?

Other drugs may interact with ranibizumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Related/similar drugs

Vabysmo, Syfovre, dexamethasone ophthalmic, triamcinolone ophthalmic, Eylea, fluocinolone ophthalmic, aflibercept ophthalmic, Izervay, Ozurdex, ranibizumab ophthalmic

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment to receive your Lucentis injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving Lucentis?

This medication may cause blurred vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

Lucentis side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Lucentis: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• eye pain or redness, swelling around your eyes;

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

• increased sensitivity to light;

• discharge or bleeding from the eye;

• seeing flashes of light or "floaters" in your vision;

• sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body); or

• sudden severe headache, problems with speech or balance.

Common Lucentis side effects may include:

• eye pain or irritation;

• feeling like something is in your eye;

• itchy or watery eyes;

• dry eyes, puffy eyelids;

• blurred vision;

• sinus pain, sore throat, cough; or

• nausea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Lucentis?

Other drugs may interact with ranibizumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Lucentis only for the indication prescribed.

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

Medical Disclaimer

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