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Ranibizumab implant may cause endophthalmitis (infection of tissues or fluids inside the eyeball that can cause severe eye damage, including blindness). Tell your doctor if you have an infection in or around your eyes, inflammation in your eye, or any other eye condition. Your doctor may not give you ranibizumab until the infection or inflammation is gone. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: increasing eye pain, vision loss, sensitivity to light, or redness in the white of the eye.
You will be given the Medication Guide when you begin treatment with ranibizumab implant. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm to obtain the Medication Guide.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving ranibizumab implant.
WHY is this medicine prescribed?
Ranibizumab implant is used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD; an eye disease that causes central vision loss [ability to see straight ahead]), diabetic macular edema (an eye disease caused by diabetes that can lead to vision loss) and diabetic retinopathy (damage to the eyes caused by diabetes). Ranibizumab is in a class of medications called vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) antagonists. It works by stopping abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the eye(s) that may cause vision loss.
HOW should this medicine be used?
Ranibizumab comes as an implant to be inserted into the white part of your eye with a needle by a doctor in a medical office or clinic. The implant may need to be refilled by injecting with more solution into it in a medical office or clinic. Your doctor will refill your implant on a schedule based on your condition.
Before you receive ranibizumab implant, your doctor will clean your eye to prevent infection and numb your eye to reduce discomfort during the implant. You may feel pressure in your eye when the medication is implanted. After your injection, your doctor will need to examine your eyes before you leave the office.
After having the implant inserted, you may be asked to keep your head above shoulder level for the rest of the day, which includes sleeping with 3 or more pillows under your head when you sleep. You will also be provided with an eye shield which should not be removed until told to do so by your doctor and should be worn for at least 7 nights after the implant was inserted.
Do not push, rub or touch that part of the eye for 30 days after the implant insertion (underneath the eyelid in the upper and outer part of the eye) or 7 days after the implant is refilled. Avoid rubbing or touching that part of the eye during your treatment with ranibizumab implant. If you have to rub or touch your eye, wash your hands before.
Ranibizumab controls certain eye conditions, but does not cure them. Your doctor will watch you carefully to see how well ranibizumab works for you. Talk to your doctor about how long you should continue treatment with ranibizumab implant.
Are there OTHER USES for this medication?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?
Before receiving ranibizumab implant,
What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?
If you miss an appointment to receive ranibizumab implant or refill, call your doctor as soon as possible.
What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?
Ranibizumab implant may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
Ranibizumab implant may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at http://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.
This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.
AHFS® Patient Medication Information™ Copyright, 2025. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
Selected Revisions: September 15, 2025.