Ranibizumab (Byooviz, Cimerli, Lucentis): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

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Ranibizumab is a medicine to treat certain eye conditions involving unstable, leaky blood vessels in the eye. Examples of these eye conditions include wet age-related macular degeneration, certain types of macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV). Ranibizumab is injected into your eye, usually about once a month. Common side effects include eye pain, seeing floaters, and bleeding in the white part of the eye. Call your health care provider right away if you see flashing lights or a curtain or veil over part of your vision or get vision loss, light sensitivity, or increased eye pain.

Uses

What is ranibizumab used for?

Ranibizumab is commonly used for the following eye conditions.

Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Diabetic macular edema (DME)
Swelling or fluid buildup in part of the retina (macular edema) after a retinal vein occlusion
Diabetic retinopathy
Myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV)

Ranibizumab may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does ranibizumab work (mechanism of action)?

Certain eye conditions happen when the small blood vessels in the eyes become unstable. Examples of these include wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), certain types of macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV). These unstable blood vessels leak fluid and blood into the eyes, which can cause changes in vision and vision loss.

Ranibizumab works by keeping active forms of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) from binding to cells. By blocking the activity of VEGF-A, ranibizumab helps to stop leakage and growth of new, unstable blood vessels in the eye.

How is ranibizumab supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

Byooviz
Cimerli
Lucentis

Dosage forms and strengths

Ranibizumab is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store ranibizumab?

Ranibizumab is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of ranibizumab?

The most common side effects of ranibizumab are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

Bleeding in the white part of your eye
Eye pain
Small specks floating in your vision
Increased pressure in the eye (see below)

There may be other side effects of ranibizumab that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of ranibizumab?

While less common, the most serious side effects of ranibizumab are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Ranibizumab may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using ranibizumab and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Breathing problems or wheezing
Racing heart
Fever or general ill feeling
Swollen lymph nodes
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
Stomach cramps
Joint pain

Eye Problems. Ranibizumab injections into the eye can cause an infection in your eye (endophthalmitis). They may also cause swelling and narrowing of the blood vessels in your eye (retinal vasculitis). Sometimes this can lead to a retinal vein occlusion. You may be at a higher risk of this happening if you have swelling in your eye before a ranibizumab shot. These problems can be serious, leading to eye damage and possibly blindness. Tell your health care provider right away if you notice any of the following.

Eye pain or redness
Changes in vision, including vision loss
Your eyes are sensitive to light

Retinal Detachment. Ranibizumab injections into the eye may cause a retinal detachment. This is when there is a tear or separation in the retina (the part of your eye that senses light). This is serious and needs surgery to fix it. Get emergency help if you notice any of the following.

Flashing lights
Vision loss or a change in vision
Darkness or a “curtain” over your vision, including the middle or the sides

Increased Pressure in the Eye. Ranibizumab injections into the eye may increase the pressure inside the eye. Your health care provider will monitor you and the pressure in your eyes before and after each shot.

Heart Attack and Stroke. Ranibizumab can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk is higher in people who already have heart disease and with longer use of ranibizumab and higher doses. Do not use ranibizumab if you have had a recent heart attack without talking to your health care provider. This could increase your risk of having another heart attack. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Chest pain or pressure
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Trouble breathing
Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
Sudden weakness on one side of your body
Sudden and severe headache
Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use ranibizumab?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use ranibizumab.

Ranibizumab
Byooviz
Cimerli
Lucentis
Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific ranibizumab products they stock.

Eye Infection. You should not use ranibizumab if you have an infection in or around your eye.

What should I know about ranibizumab before using it?

This medicine is injected into the eye by your health care provider. Your vision may change or become blurry right after you get the shot. Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision has fully recovered from the injection.

What should I tell my health care provider before using ranibizumab?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if ranibizumab is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how ranibizumab could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if ranibizumab passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use ranibizumab while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does ranibizumab interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between ranibizumab and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect ranibizumab.

Does ranibizumab interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between ranibizumab and other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker