Drug
Ranibizumab
Pronounced
"RA-ni-BIZ-ue-mab"
Uses
This medication implant is used to treat certain serious eye conditions (such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy). It is used by people who have had at least 2 injections of ranibizumab or a similar medication injected into the eye with good results. Ranibizumab works by slowing the growth of abnormal new blood vessels in the eye and decreasing leakage from these blood vessels. This medication may help prevent decreased vision and blindness.
Warning
This medication implant is used to deliver ranibizumab into the eye. The implant and the procedures to place and use it properly may have an increased risk of serious side effects such as eye infection and eye damage. Tell your doctor right away if you have vision changes such as decreased vision, sensitivity to light, or seeing flashing lights or a curtain or veil covering part of your vision or an increase in moving spots or what looks like spider webs. Also tell your doctor right away if you have increasing eye pain, or a sudden feeling that something is in your eye, bleeding or redness in the white of the eye, or if you have eye discharge, or watering of the eye. Proper treatment may require immediate medical or surgical treatment.
How to Use This Medication
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using ranibizumab implant and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication is an implant placed into the affected eye(s) by a health care professional. The affected eye is numbed before the procedure. Your eye will be monitored before and after placement. Your implant device will be refilled as directed by your doctor, usually every 6 to 9 months. To help prevent serious side effects, carefully follow your doctor's instructions after the implant is placed, after each refill procedure, and after the implant is removed. Use any eye drops exactly as directed by your doctor.
After the implant is placed, keep your head above shoulder level for the rest of the day. Sleep with your head on 3 or more pillows during the day and night after the implant is inserted. Do not remove the eye shield from your eye until you are told to do so by your doctor. For at least 7 nights after the insertion, wear the eye shield when sleeping. Do not push on or rub the eye, or touch the implant area for 30 days after the insertion. Many patients will need to wait a month after the implant procedure to do strenuous activities, but ask your doctor what length of time is safest in your case.
After the refill procedure, do not push on the eye, rub the eye, or touch the implant area for 7 days. If you miss a scheduled refill, contact your health care provider right away to schedule a new appointment.
After implant removal, keep your head above shoulder level for the rest of the day. Sleep with your head on 3 or more pillows during the day and night after the implant is removed. Wear an eye shield for at least 7 nights. Do not do strenuous activities until 14 days after the implant removal.
Your health care provider should give you an implant card after you receive the implant. Keep the card in a safe place and show it to all your health care provider(s). You may only receive an MRI under very specific conditions if you have this implant.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.