Lucentis: Uses, Side Effects, and Precautions

Introduction

What is Lucentis?

Lucentis is the trade name for the prescription drug to treat certain eye conditions in adults viz; diabetic retinopathy, wet age-related macular degeneration, myopic choroidal neovascularization, diabetic macular edema, and macular edema. Lucentis drug comes in liquid form that doctors give as an injection into the eye. The drug does not cure the disease but only slows the disease’s progression and vision loss. An ophthalmologist (eye doctor) might also use Lucentis injection for other retinal conditions not listed above.

Here are some facts about Lucentis

• Lucentis is a biologic medication that is also available in its biosimilar form.
• Pharmaceutical companies make biological medication from living organisms. Biosimilar form of natural medicines contains some similarity with the biological drug but not the exact version of the biological drug, unlike generic drugs with the same copy of the trade name drug.
• The other trade names of active drugs in Lucentis are Cimerli, Susvimo, and Byooviz.¹Introduction | Researched based study from National institutes of Health

Mechanism of Action

How does Lucentis work?

• Lucentis contains ranibizumab as the working component. Ranibizumab is from the drug class called vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors.
• A drug class is a cluster of drugs that functions the same [2].
• Some eye diseases occur due to the growth of unusual blood vessels in the back of our eyes (retina). It can cause fluid buildup with gradual vision impairment and total vision loss.
• For the unusual blood vessels to grow, they need the body’s natural substance called vascular endothelial growth factor.
• Lucentis works by affixing to vascular endothelial growth factor, inhibiting new blood vessel growth. It results in decreased fluid accumulation in the eye and better vision with time. ³Mechanism of Action | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health

Dosage

Dosage

The Lucentis injection dose and frequency will depend on certain conditions, viz, the severity of the illness and the patient’s response to the drug

Some of the commonly prescribed dosage for Lucentis injections are as follows-

Dosage for Diabetic Retinopathy

• 0.3 mg (milligram) in 0.05 mL (milliliter) solution at an interval of 28 days

Dosage for Wet age-related Macular Degeneration

• General dose- 0.5 mg (milligram) in 0.05 mL (milliliter) solution at every 28 days interval
• Doses (in some cases) – a changed dose every 60 days or 90 days

Dosage for Macular Edema (due to retinal vein blockage)

• 0.5 mg(milligram) in 0.05 mL(milliliter) for 28 days

Dosage for diabetic Macular Edema

• 0.3 mg(milligram) in 0.05 mL(milliliter) solution for 28 days

Dosage for Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization

• 0.5 mg(milligram) in 0.05 mL(milliliter) solution at 28 days interval for 90 days .⁴Dosage | Researched based study from Science Direct .

Uses

Uses of Lucentis

Lucentis is FDA-approved to manage the following eye diseases –

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration or wet age-related Macular Degeneration

• It is a progressive eye disease that occurs when unusual blood vessels develop in the eye’s macular region leading to the leaking of blood and fluid in the area.
• Macula is the area in the retina’s central portion.
• It causes significant vision problems followed by complete vision loss if left untreated.

Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization

• It is a condition in people with severe myopia (shortsightedness).
• Left untreated, it can lead to an abrupt or gradual decline in central vision.
• Myopic choroidal neovascularization occurs due to the development of new, unusual blood vessels in the retinal region.

Macular edema after blockage of Retinal Vein

• It happens when a blood clot clogs the eye’s blood flow from the eye, causing fluid and blood to drip into the eye’s macular region.
• If left untreated, macular edema can lead to vision issues and even blindness.

 Diabetic Macular Edema

• It is a diabetic complication that creates retinal swelling due to fluid accumulation in the retina’s macular region.
• It can consequently lead to complete vision loss.

 Diabetic Retinopathy

• It is a complication of persistent high sugar in the body that destroys the retinal blood vessels.
• The prolonged increased sugar level in the body causes imbalances in the entire body, including the eye.
• The body excessively produces a vascular endothelial growth factor in the eye that helps create new blood vessels.
• Consequently, new blood vessels cause fluid accumulation in the posterior portion of the eye (retina), leading to a decline in vision and, eventually, blindness.
• Lucentis work by attaching to a body’s natural compound called vascular endothelial growth factor required for new blood vessel generation. Thus, it helps prevent new blood vessel formation and further fluid accumulation within the eye, improving an individual’s vision with time.⁵Uses | Researched based study from Science Direct

Side Effects

Lucentis Side Effects

Common side effects

• Eye pain
• Bleeding within the eyes
• Increased eye pressure
• Floaters (tiny shapes floating in the field of vision)

Mild side effects

• Eye itching
• Watery eye
• Dry eye
• Unclear vision
• Eye pain
• Bleeding within the eye’s sclera (white of eyes)
• Floaters
• Eye discomfort

Serious side effects may include

• Blood clots causing heart attack
• Cataracts
• Anemia
• Eye inflammation
• Retinal detachment
• Allergic reactions

Blood clots causing heart attack

Symptoms

• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing
• Discomfort in eyes, neck, and arms
• Confusion
• Lightheadedness

Cataract (clouding of the eye’s lens)

Symptoms

• Double vision in one eye
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity in seeing the light
• Difficulty in night vision

Anemia (lack of healthy Red blood cells )

Symptoms

• Increased tiredness
• Lightheadedness
• Weakness
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Tightening of the chest with pain
• Weakness

Eye inflammation (Endophthalmitis)

Symptoms

• Unclear vision
• Swollen eyes
• Red eyes
• Eye pain
• Difficulty seeing the bright light

Retinal detachment (separation of light-sensitive tissue from the back of the eye)

Symptoms

• Unclear vision
• Floaters
• Decreased side vision
• Light flashes in front of the eyes

Allergic reaction

Symptoms

• Eye redness,
• Low vision,
• Eye itching,
• Eye swelling
• Difficult breathing.⁶Side Effects | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health

Formulations

Available Formulations

Lucentis is available as a fluid in vials or prefilled syringes. It comes in two powers (strength) –

• 0.3 mg (milligrams) in 0.05 mL (milliliters) solution
• 0.5 mg in 0.05 mL (milliliters) solution.⁷Formulations | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health

Administration

How is Lucentis given?

Ophthalmologists give Lucentis injections directly as an injection into the eye at a doctor’s clinic or hospital.

Before giving the injection, the eye doctor might do the following things-

• Clean the eye with an antiseptic to avert infections
• Give drugs viz; eye gels or injections to numb the eye and prevent pain
• An eye medication that dilates the eye’s pupil
• Then the doctor will inject a fine needle into the eye’s sclera (white part of the eye) to deliver the Lucentis medication.

Depending on the patient’s need, the doctor might advise the patient to take the Lucentis injection for several months.⁸Administration| Researched based study from National Institutes of Health

Missed dose

• The Lucentis injections are delivered at the doctor’s office by an Ophthalmologist. So, the office will give appointments at the patient’s convenience.
• However, to ensure the appointment for the dose of Lucentis injections, try setting the reminder app on your mobile.

Overdose toxicity of Lucentis

• In case of an incidental overdose of Lucentis injections followed by trouble breathing, one must immediately dial the poison control center or emergency medical number based on the location.

Precautions

Precautions

• Pregnancy – There is insufficient information if Lucentis is safe during pregnancy. If one is pregnant or planning to start a family, always consult the doctor before taking the Lucentis injection.
• Nursing mothers – It is also unclear if Lucentis passes to breast milk, so nursing mothers must speak to the doctor before taking the Lucentis treatment.⁹Precautions | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health

Considerations

Considerations before taking Lucentis

Lucentis might not be appropriate for people with the following health issues-

• Allergic to ranibizumab or any other drug
• Glaucoma (increased eye pressure)
• Eye infection
• Prior eye surgery
• Pregnant woman
• Nursing mothers.⁶Considerations | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health

Interactions

Drug Interactions with Lucentis

• There is no relevant information on whether Lucentis can interact with other medications. However, there is every possibility that Lucentis can interact with other medicines, vaccines, herbs, drugs, or supplements. So, tell your doctor about all the medications that you are taking before getting the Lucentis injection to avoid probable interactions.¹⁰Interactions | Researched based study from National Institutes of Health

Storage

How to Store Lucentis?

• One can store Lucentis in the refrigerator between 2 to 8 degrees centigrade.
• One should avoid freezing Lucentis or keeping it under direct sunlight

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

• Lucentis is an FDA-approved eye injection for managing certain eye conditions in adults, such as wet age-related macular degeneration, myopic choroidal neovascularization, macular edema, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy,
• One can take Lucentis eye injection at a hospital or doctor’s clinic
• Individuals with medical ailments must speak to the ophthalmologist before taking Lucentis injections to avert unwanted complexities.