Lucentis is made by Genentech, Inc.
Wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal blood vessel growth in the back of the eye. The blood vessels grow behind the retina, underneath the macula (a part of the retina that is essential for detailed vision). These new blood vessels are not normal, and are weak and prone to leaking. Leaking causes damage to the macula, causing "wet" macular degeneration.
Lucentis is a part of an antibody that is designed to bind to and inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A). VEGF-A is a naturally occurring protein that encourages the growth of new blood vessels (including abnormal blood vessels in wet macular degeneration). By binding to VEGF-A, Lucentis prevents this protein from encouraging new blood vessel growth. This helps to slow down (or even reverse) vision loss and macular damage.
Several studies have evaluated Lucentis as a wet
macular degeneration treatment. Some studies compared Lucentis injections to placebo injections (an injection without any active ingredient) or to a certain type of
photodynamic therapy (PDT) commonly used to treat the condition.
Studies showed that Lucentis was significantly more effective than placebo injections or PDT. In fact, up to 40 percent of those receiving injections for a year had significant vision improvement, compared to just 5 percent for placebo and 6 percent for PDT.
General considerations for when and how to take Lucentis include the following:
- The medication is injected into the eye on a monthly basis by your healthcare provider.
- Your eye(s) will be cleansed to prevent infection and numbed before the injection. While you should feel no pain, you may feel a little pressure.
- You should have someone drive you home after your injection, as your eye(s) will be dilated during the procedure (which temporarily affects your vision).
- For the medication to work properly, it must be used as prescribed. Lucentis will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of Lucentis your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- How you respond to the drug
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Lucentis. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
- Redness or blood spots on the white part of the eye
- Eye pain
- Specks in your vision.
(Click Lucentis Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Lucentis?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you have:
- An infection in or around the eyes
- A history of blood clots or stroke
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
An overdose of Lucentis is unlikely, since it is injected by your healthcare provider and an entire vial contains just one dose.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not receive a Lucentis injection as scheduled, contact your healthcare provider as soon as is possible and convenient. The medication works best if it is taken on a monthly basis, and missing doses may decrease its effectiveness.
Each vial of Lucentis contains 0.5 mg of the drug, just enough for one dose.
Is There a Generic Version of Lucentis?
Currently, there are no generic versions of Lucentis licensed for sale
(see Generic Lucentis).
