Ranibizumab (ophthalmic)

Generic name: ranibizumab (ophthalmic) [ RA-ni-BIZ-ue-mab-off-THAL-mik ]
Brand names: Byooviz, Cimerli, Lucentis, Susvimo, Susvimo Implant Kit
Dosage form: intravitreal solution (10 mg/mL; 100 mg/mL; 6 mg/mL; eqrn 10 mg/ml; eqrn 6 mg/ml; nuna 10 mg/mL)
Drug class: Anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Oct 31, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is ranibizumab?

Ranibizumab ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used in adults to treat the "wet form" of age-related macular degeneration. Ranibizumab is also used in adults to treat swelling in the retina caused by diabetes, or a blockage in blood vessels.

Ranibizumab can also be used in adults to treat diabetic retinopathy, and myopia caused by abnormal growth of new blood vessels in the retina.

Ranibizumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ranibizumab side effects

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

Ranibizumab may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• increased eye pain, swelling, or redness in your eye;

• vision loss, sensitivity to light;

• blurred vision, seeing halos around lights;

• feeling like something is in your eye;

• discharge or watery eyes;

• sudden changes in your vision, seeing flashes of light; or

• a "spider webs" appearance in your vision.

Common side effects of ranibizumab may include:

• eye pain;

• sensitivity to light;

• "floaters" in your vision;

• increased pressure inside the eye; or

• eye redness or a blood spot on the white of your eye.

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.

Warnings

You should not receive ranibizumab if you have swelling, redness, pain inside your eyes, or any type of infection in or around your eyes.

Call your doctor at once if you have sudden vision problems, eye pain, redness, discharge, or watering in your eye, or if your eyes are more sensitive to light.

Before taking this medicine

You should not receive ranibizumab if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• swelling, redness, pain inside or around your eyes; or

• any type of infection in or around your eyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• an eye infection;

• retinal detachment;

• a heart attack, or stroke;

• glaucoma or other condition that increases pressure inside your eyes; or

• taken certain other medicines that can increase bleeding risk such as warfarin, aspirin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).

It is not known if ranibizumab will harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control while using ranibizumab and for at least 12 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using ranibizumab.

How is ranibizumab given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Ranibizumab injection is administered as an injection into the 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 clinical setting.

Ranibizumab eye implant is placed through the white part of the eye by your healthcare provider who will refill your implant once every 6 months.

If you have a ranibizumab eye implant, talk to your doctor if you have an appointment for an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

Your eyes will be checked to make sure ranibizumab has not caused any serious side effects.

Call you doctor right away if you notice the eye implant has moved out of place.

Wash your hands first if you have to rub your eyes or touch the area where the eye implant is located.

Ranibizumab 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)

Related/similar drugs

Vabysmo, Syfovre, triamcinolone ophthalmic, dexamethasone ophthalmic, Eylea, fluocinolone ophthalmic, aflibercept ophthalmic, Lucentis, Izervay, faricimab ophthalmic

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your ranibizumab injection.

What happens if I overdose?

In a medical setting an overdose would be treated quickly.

What should I avoid after receiving ranibizumab?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until the eye shield can be removed and you are able to see clearly.

What other drugs will affect ranibizumab?

Medicine used in the eyes is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Ranibizumab ophthalmic Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There are 2 for ranibizumab ophthalmic.

Lucentis interchangeable products

Interchangeable biosimilar products can be dispensed by a pharmacist without the intervention of the prescriber of the reference product.

Pharmacy laws for biosimilar prescribing may vary by state.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication 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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