Lucentis Side Effects

Generic name: ranibizumab ophthalmic

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Feb 8, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Lucentis Side Effects associated with ranibizumab ophthalmic. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Lucentis.

Applies to ranibizumab ophthalmic: intraocular implant, intraocular solution.

Other dosage forms:

• intraocular solution

Precautions

Your eye doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few days after you receive this medicine, to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Receiving this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment and for at least 12 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Serious eye or vision problems (eg, eye infection or bleeding, retinal detachment, conjunctival bleb, erosion, or retraction) may occur with this medicine. Check with your eye doctor right away if your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, painful, or watery, or if you have eye bleeding or discharge, a feeling that something is in your eye, or a change or loss of vision several days after you receive this medicine. Also, tell your eye doctor if you feel increased pressure in your eye.

Tell your doctor right away if your implant has moved out of place. You may need a surgery to correct this movement.

Damage to the implant septum (self-sealing part where ranibizumab is given to fill the implant) may occur with Susvimo™. This may cause problems when you receive a refill for your implant. Your doctor may remove the implant or change your treatment if your implant has been damaged.

Tell your doctor that you have Susvimo™ implanted in your eye before you have an MRI.

Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until your eye shield can be removed and you can see. Do not rub or touch the area of the eye where the implant is inserted. Wash your hands first, if you have to touch your eye.

This medicine may increase your risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. Check with your doctor right away if you are having pain in your chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves, difficulty or trouble breathing, a severe, sudden headache, slurred speech, sudden loss of coordination, sudden, severe weakness or numbness in your arm or leg, or vision changes.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Lucentis

Along with its needed effects, ranibizumab ophthalmic (the active ingredient contained in Lucentis) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ranibizumab ophthalmic:

Other side effects of Lucentis

Some side effects of ranibizumab ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to ranibizumab ophthalmic: intravitreal solution.

Ocular adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Conjunctival hemorrhage (up to 74%), eye pain (up to 35%), vitreous floaters (up to 27%), increased intraocular pressure (up to 24%), vitreous detachment (up to 21%), intraocular inflammation (up to 18%), vision disturbance/blurred vision (up to 18%), cataract (up to 17%), foreign body sensation in eyes (up to 16%), eye irritation (up to 15%), increased lacrimation (up to 14%), blepharitis (up to 12%), dry eye (up to 12%), eye pruritus (up to 12%), ocular hyperemia (up to 11%), maculopathy (up to 11%), retinal disorder (10%), vitreitis, retinal hemorrhage
• Common (1% to 10%): Retinal degeneration, retinal detachment, retinal tear, retinal pigment epithelium detachment, retinal pigment epithelium tear, reduced visual acuity, vitreous hemorrhage, vitreous disorder, uveitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, subcapsular cataract, punctuate keratitis, corneal abrasion, anterior chamber flare, eye hemorrhage, conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis, eye discharge, photopsia, photophobia, ocular discomfort, eyelid edema, eyelid pain, conjunctival hyperemia, posterior capsule opacification, endophthalmitis, injection site hemorrhage
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blindness, endophthalmitis, hypopyon, hyphema, keratopathy, iris adhesion, corneal deposits, corneal edema, corneal striae, injection site pain, injection site irritation, abnormal sensation in eye, eyelid irritation^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (up to 16%), bronchitis (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cough, upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral neuropathy, stroke^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (up to 11%)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (up to 11%)^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Arterial thromboembolic events (up to 10.8%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema, atrial fibrillation^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity reactions^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Immunoreactivity, seasonal allergy, allergic reactions (rash, urticaria, pruritus, erythema)^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypercholesterolemia^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza, would healing complications, fatal events
• Frequency not reported: Non-ocular hemorrhage^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Renal failure, chronic renal failure^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What are biosimilar drugs and how do they compare to biologics?
• What are anti-VEGF drugs (VEGF inhibitors)?
• What biosimilars have been approved in the United States?

Further information

Lucentis side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer