Lucentis ® (ranibizumab)

●      Brand Name: Lucentis ®

●      Generic name: ranibizumab

●     Uses: Diabetic macular edema (swelling in the back of the eye) that causes blurry vision and sensitivity to light

●     How it works: Blocks growing of new blood vessels that are weaker and can cause swelling

●     Most common side effects: Eye irritation, cataracts (clouding in the eye), bleeding or pain in part of the eye, blurred eye-sight, tiny spots in the eye, feeling like there is something in the eye

●     Serious side effects: Irregular heart rate, stroke, tear in the eye, inflammation in the colored part of eye, damage and high pressure inside of the eye

●     Who cannot use this medication: People with eye infections or that have an allergic reaction to this medication

●     Dose: Available as 10mg/ml vial

○     Inject 0.5 mg (0.05ml) in affected eye every 28 days

●     Package Insert: http://www.lucentis.com/lucentis/pdf/prescribing_information.pdf

●     Reference: Micromedex Web site. http://www.thomsonhc.com.proxy.pba.edu/. Accessed October 1, 2012.