Ranibizumab (Intraocular)

Generic name: ranibizumab [ ra-ni-BIZ-oo-mab ]
Brand names: Byooviz, Cimerli, Lucentis, Susvimo
Drug class: Anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 31, 2024.

Intraocular route(Implant)

Warning: Endophthalmitis

The ranibizumab implant has been associated with a 3-fold higher rate of endophthalmitis than monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. Many of these events were associated with conjunctival retractions or erosions. Appropriate conjunctiva management and early detection with surgical repair of conjunctival retractions or erosions may reduce the risk of endophthalmitis. In clinical trials, 2% of patients receiving a ranibizumab implant experienced at least one episode of endophthalmitis .

Uses for ranibizumab

Ranibizumab is used to treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Susvimo™ is used in patients who have responded to at least 2 injections of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor. AMD is a disorder of the retina in the eye that causes blurring of vision or blindness. Ranibizumab works by changing the amount of blood that gets to the eye.

Ranibizumab is also used to treat myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV).

Ranibizumab is used to treat macular edema (swelling of the back of the eye) after retinal vein occlusion (a blood vessel in the eye is blocked). It is also used in diabetic patients who have diabetic macular edema (DME). Macular edema can cause loss of vision. This medicine is also used to treat diabetic retinopathy (eye problem caused by diabetes).

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using ranibizumab

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ranibizumab in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ranibizumab in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of ranibizumab

Lucentis®: An ophthalmologist (eye doctor) will give you this medicine as a shot into the eye. This medicine is usually given once a month (about every 28 days). In some patients, it may be given once every 3 months after the first 4 injections.

Susvimo™: This medicine is an implant that is inserted through the white part of the eye (sclera) by a doctor. Your doctor will refill the implant device every 6 months (at least every 24 weeks). Your doctor will give you instructions to follow after you receive the implant or the refill, and after the implant is removed.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Precautions while using ranibizumab

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.

Side Effects of ranibizumab

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:

More common

Blindness
bloody eye
blurred vision or loss of vision
decreased vision or other changes in vision
disturbed color perception
dizziness
double vision
dry eye
eye pain
fainting
feeling of having something in the eye
halos around lights
headache
night blindness
overbright appearance of lights
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
red, sore eyes
redness of the white part of the eyes or inside of the eyelids
redness, swelling, or itching of the eyelid
seeing flashes or sparks of light
seeing floating spots before the eyes, or a veil or curtain appearing across a part of vision
sensitivity of the eye to light
tearing of the eyes
tunnel vision
watering of the eyes

Less common

Body aches or pain
chest pain or tightness
chills
cough
difficulty or trouble breathing
dry mouth
fainting
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
general feeling of discomfort or illness
head congestion
hoarseness, loss of voice, or other voice changes
loss of consciousness
muscle aches and pains
pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
painful blisters on the trunk of the body
pale skin
runny or stuffy nose
severe, sudden headache
shivering
slow wound healing
slurred speech
sneezing
sore throat
sudden loss of coordination
sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
sweating
trouble sleeping
unexplained weight loss
unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects 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