Ranibizumab
About Ranibizumab
Ranibizumab belongs to the group of medicines called anti-neovascularisation agents used to treat eye diseases causing vision impairment, such as neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration, macular oedema following retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular oedema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and choroidal neovascularization. It is also used to treat retinopathy of prematurity in babies born prematurely.
Ranibizumab contains Ranibizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) antagonist. It binds to VEGF-A (a protein that causes abnormal blood vessel growth and swelling, leading to vision impairment) present in the eyes, blocks its action, and prevents abnormal growth and swelling. It helps stabilise and improve vision.
In some cases, Ranibizumab may cause side effects such as eye pain, inflammation, retinal bleeding, dry eye, eye irritation, and redness or itching of the eye. Most of these side effects may not require medical attention and resolve over time. However, you are advised to talk to the doctor if any of the side effects persist or worsen.
Let the doctor know if you are allergic to any components in Ranibizumab. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Ranibizumab is not recommended during breastfeeding. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medications to rule out any side effects/interactions.
Uses of Ranibizumab
Medicinal Benefits
Ranibizumab belongs to the group of medicines called anti-neovascularisation agents used to treat eye diseases causing vision impairment, such as neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), macular oedema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO), diabetic macular oedema (DME), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Ranibizumab contains Ranibizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) antagonist, which binds to VEGF-A (a protein which causes abnormal blood vessel growth and swelling, leading to vision impairment) present in the eyes, blocks its action and prevents abnormal growth and swelling. It helps stabilise and improve your vision. This medicine may also be indicated in preterm infants for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ranibizumab
- Inflammation of the eye
- Retinal bleeding (bleeding in the back of the eye)
- Eye pain
- Bloodshot eye
- Small particles or spots in your vision
- Eye irritation
- Dry eye
- Redness or itching of the eye
- Increased eye pressure
Drug Warnings
Do not receive Ranibizumab if you are allergic to any of its components, if you have an infection in or around the eye, severe intraocular inflammation (pain or redness in the eye) or if you are breastfeeding. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience worsening eye redness, eye pain or increased discomfort, an increased number of small particles in your vision, blurred or decreased vision, or increased sensitivity to light. Inform the doctor if you have a history of eye conditions, eye treatments, or stroke. Let the doctor know if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements or herbal products.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Inform the doctor if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform the doctor if you have/had an eye infection, eye inflammation, or stroke.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Ranibizumab. Please consult the doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionRanibizumab should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not known whether Ranibizumab passes into breast milk. However, if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Ranibizumab.
Driving
cautionRanibizumab may cause temporary vision blurring. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you experience this.
Liver
cautionIf you have a history of liver problems, inform the doctor before receiving Ranibizumab.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may not be needed in patients with renal impairment. However, if you have a history of kidney problems, inform the doctor before receiving Ranibizumab.
Children
cautionRanibizumab is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness have not been established except for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in babies born prematurely. However, the safety profile in preterm infants has not been established beyond 2 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Include vegetables, whole grains, and fruits in your diet.
- Get optimal sleep; rest well.
Special Advise
- Women of reproductive potential must use effective contraception during treatment with Ranibizumab and for 3 months after the last dose.
- Have your eyesight and eye pressure checked as advised by the doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD): AMD is an eye disease that causes vision loss due to a damaged macula. In wet macular degeneration, leaky blood vessels grow under the retina. The key symptom of AMD is blurred vision.
Macular oedema: It occurs when blood vessels leak into the macula (a part of the retina). This causes macula swelling and blurred vision.
Retinal vein occlusion (RVO): RVO is the blockage of small veins that carry blood away from the retina, occurring due to the hardening of arteries or the formation of blood clots. Symptoms include sudden blurring or vision loss.
Diabetic macular oedema (DME): DME is a complication of diabetes that occurs when excess fluid starts to build up in the macula of the eye, leading to vision problems. Symptoms are blurry vision, double vision, seeing floaters, and seeing colours that look washed out.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR): It is the advanced stage of diabetic eye disease that occurs when the retina starts growing new blood vessels. Symptoms are vision loss, poor night vision, colours appearing faded or washed out, blurry vision, and seeing an increased number of floaters.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP): ROP is a disease-causing vision impairment due to damage to the back of the eye (the retina) caused by abnormal growth of blood vessels.
FAQs
Ranibizumab is used to treat Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), macular oedema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO), diabetic macular oedema (DME), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Also used in premature babies to treat retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Ranibizumab works by stopping abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the eyes that may cause vision loss.
Ranibizumab may affect fertility. Fertility problems may interfere with the ability to get pregnant or father a child. Consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
Ranibizumab can be used in the elderly aged 65 years or older if prescribed by the doctor. However, talk to the doctor if you have any concerns.
Ranibizumab should not be used by individuals who are allergic to any of its active ingredients and those who have an eye infection, eye inflammation, or severe inflammation within the eye. Always consult your healthcare provider before using this medication.
The duration of treatment with Ranibizumab depends on the condition being treated and your response to the medication. Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate length of treatment.
After taking Ranibizumab, inform your doctor if you experience eye pain, discomfort, redness, blurred vision, or increased sensitivity to light. Monitor for signs of infection or retinal detachment, and contact your doctor if these occur. Your doctor may also check eye pressure, as it can temporarily rise. Additionally, inform your doctor if you have a history of eye conditions or stroke-related symptoms.
Ranibizumab causes side effects such as inflammation of eye, retinal bleeding (bleeding in the back of eye), eye pain, a bloodshot eye, small particles or spots in the vision, eye irritation, dry eye, redness or itching in eye, and increased eye pressure. However, please contact a doctor if these side effects persist for longer durations.
