Ranibizumab Ophthalmic Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 2, 2025.

Applies to ranibizumab ophthalmic: intraocular solution.

Other dosage forms:

• intraocular implant, intraocular solution

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, ranibizumab ophthalmic 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:

More common side effects

• blindness
• bloody eye
• bloody urine
• blurred vision
• body aches or pain
• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• change or loss of vision
• chills
• cough
• decreased amount of urine
• diarrhea
• disturbed color perception
• ear congestion
• eye pain, irritation
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• halos around lights
• headache
• increased blood pressure
• increased thirst
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• loss of voice
• lower back or side pain
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea
• night blindness
• overbright appearance of lights
• pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
• pale skin
• redness of the eye
• seeing floating dark spots or material before the eyes
• seeing floating spots before the eyes, or a veil or curtain appearing across part of vision
• shivering
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• sweating
• swelling of the face, fingers, hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• tearing of the eyes
• trouble breathing
• trouble sleeping
• tunnel vision
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
• weight gain

Less common side effects

• chest tightness
• cough producing mucus
• difficulty in moving
• dizziness
• fainting
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• joint pain
• muscle stiffness
• redness, swelling, or itching of the eyelid
• redness of the white part of the eyes or inside of the eyelids
• sensitivity of the eye to light

Incidence not known

• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion
• difficulty in speaking
• inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
• inability to speak
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck
• slow speech

Other side effects

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:

More common side effects

• constipation
• heartburn

Less common side effects

• slow wound healing

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]

Further information

Ranibizumab ophthalmic 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