Ranibizumab

Indications & Dose:

Treatment of neovascular (wet) agerelated macular degeneration (AMD).
DOSAGE: The recommended dose in 0.5 mg (0.05 ml). Treatment intiated with a loading phase of one injection per month for 3 consecutive months followed by a maintenance phase in which patients should be monitored for visual acuity on a monthly basis. The interval between two doses should not be shorter then 1 month. Lucentis must be administered by a qualified ophthalmologist using aseptic techniques. Broad-spectrum topical microbicide and anaesthetic should be administered prior to the injection. The patient should be instructed to self-administer antimicrobial drops four times daily for 3 days before and after each injection. Not recommended in children and adolescents. 

Contraindications:

Hypersensitivity to ranibizumab or to any of the excipiants, patients with active or suspected ocular or periocular infections, patients with active interocular information. 

Side Effects:

Cautions:

Precautions:

Intravitreous injections have been associated with endophthalmitis, intraocular inflammation rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, retinal tear and latrogenic traumatic cataract. Therefore proper aseptic injection techniques must be used. Patients should be monitored during the week following the injection to permit early treatment if an infection occurs. Intraoccular pressure and the perfusion of the optic nerve head must be monitored and managed appropriately. As with all therapeutic proteins there is potential for immunogenicity with Lucentis. Should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary; use of effective contraction recommended for women of childbearing potential; breast-feeding not recommended. Following treatment patients may develop transient visual disturbances that may interfere with their ability to drive or use machines. Patients should not drive or use machines as long as these symptoms persist. Interactions: No formal interaction studies have been performed. 

Interaction:

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

very common adverse reactions are conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, vitreous floaters, retinal hemorrhage, intraocular pressure increased, vitreous detachment, intraocular inflammation, eye inflation, cataract, foreign body sensation in eyes, visual disturbances, blepharitis, subretinal fibrosis, ocular hyperaemia, visual acuity blurred/decreased, dry eye, vitritis, common adverse reactions are ocular discomfort, conjunctival hyperaemia, posterior capsule opacification, retinal exudates, injection site reactions, iscrimation increased, eye pruritus, conjunctivitis, maculopathy, detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium, headache. 

Patient And Carer Advice: