What is ranibizumab?
Ranibizumab 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 a certain type of eye disease, new blood vessels grow under the retina where they leak blood and fluid. This is known as the "wet form" of macular degeneration.
Ranibizumab is used to treat the wet form of age-related macular degeneration.
Ranibizumab may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ranibizumab?
Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to ranibizumab, or if you have an infection in or around your eye. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma.
Ranibizumab 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.
Ranibizumab is usually given once a month. After you have received the first 4 injections, your doctor may change your injection schedule to once every 3 months. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: vision changes, eye pain or redness, discharge or bleeding from your eye, increased eye sensitivity to light, swelling around the eye, or seeing flashes of light.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment to receive your ranibizumab injection.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving ranibizumab?
Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to ranibizumab, or if you have an infection in or around your eye.
Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, or a history of blood clots or stroke.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether ranibizumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.