In this article we will talk about the drug "Lucentis". Instructions, reviews, dosage - all this and much more will be consecrated by us.
"Lucentis" is used in ophthalmology in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (neovascular form). Also used in diabetic macular edema to restore vision. The drug is injected into the vitreous of the eye.
Composition and form of release
It is a transparent or slightly opalescent solution for internal administration of the drug "Lucentis" (patient reviews confirm this).
The main active ingredient of the drug is ranibizumab. Its content in the 1st bottle of the drug is 2.3 mg. In addition, the following auxiliary components are part of Lucentis:
- α-trehalose dihydrate;
- polysorbate;
- L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate;
- water.
One carton package with the drug includes:
- 0.23 ml clear glass bottle with drug;
- filter needle;
- sterile syringe with a needle.
The drug is dispensed in pharmacies only by prescription.
Indications
Assign with a number of ophthalmic diseases "Lucentis". Reviews of patients are rather ambiguous, regarding its effectiveness - the drug helps someone, and someone barely notices its effect. Nevertheless, "Lutsentis" is prescribed for the following diseases:
- wet (neovascular) form of age-related macular degeneration;
- decrease in visual acuity due to the development of diabetic edema of the macula - is used once or combined with laser coagulation ;
- decreased vision due to macular edema caused by retinal vein occlusion;
- decreased vision due to choroidal neovascularization caused by pathological myopia.
Contraindications
There are a number of contraindications for prescribing the drug "Lucentis". Patient reviews also confirm that not everyone is prescribed a drug. So, the drug is not allowed to be prescribed to patients:
- suffering from infectious eye diseases or susceptible to infectious processes of periocular localization;
- who have been diagnosed with intraocular inflammation;
- immature 18 years of age;
- in which hypersensitivity to any ingredient of the drug is observed.
Also, the drug can not be administered to pregnant and lactating women.
The drug is prescribed with caution in the following category of patients:
- Persons with hypersensitivity; if there is a risk of stroke, then the drug is administered only after doctors have evaluated the risk-benefit ratios of Lucentis.
- For patients suffering from DMO due to retinal vein occlusion or CNV, which is caused by pathological myopia, in the presence of cerebral ischemia or stroke, the drug can cause thromboembolism.
- Persons who are already taking drugs that affect vascular endothelial growth.
In which cases the treatment is interrupted
There are also cases where therapy must be urgently interrupted and no longer trying to resume:
- changes in intraocular pressure up to 30 and more mm RT. st .;
- decrease in visual acuity by 30 or more letters compared with the last measurement;
- retinal rupture;
- subretial hemorrhage that affects the central fossa, or affects more than 50% of the area;
- conducting intraocular surgery.
Dosage
Only in the form of injections into the vitreous body are used "Lucentis". Patient reviews indicate that the procedure itself is painless.
The content of one bottle of the product is intended for only one injection. Only an ophthalmologist with experience in conducting such procedures can administer the drug.
Since the course of treatment includes several injections, it must be remembered that an interval of at least 1 month should be observed between them. The recommended dose of Lucentis for one injection is 0.5 mg. During the course of therapy, constant monitoring of visual acuity should be carried out.
When prescribing the drug to patients over 65 years of age, special dose adjustment is not required.
"Lucentis": instructions for use
Reviews of the drug itself and the work of doctors indicate that the patient himself must follow the preparation for the administration process in order to avoid negligence.
So, before the introduction of the drug, you need to make sure that the solution meets the norm - color, texture, lack of sediment. If you change the shade or the presence of insoluble particles, "Lucentis" is prohibited to use.
The introduction of the drug should occur under sterile conditions: the hands of the health care provider should be properly handled; only sterile gloves are used; wipes, an eyelid expander and all other instruments that will be used must also be sterile.
Immediately before the injection, the skin around the eye and eyelid is disinfected. Then anesthesia is done and antimicrobials are drip . It must be remembered that antimicrobials must be instilled 3 times a day before and after the procedure for three days.
Only by observing these rules can be successful treatment "Lucentis". The reviews of those who passed it indicate that there are cases when a doctor injects the drug with two patients with the same needle. This is unacceptable and can lead to infection with various infections and diseases like AIDS.
The drug itself is injected into the vitreous body, directing the tip of the needle toward the center of the eyeball. Subsequent injection should be carried out in that half of the sclera that was not affected by the first injection.
Since intraocular pressure may increase within an hour after the procedure, it must be monitored and the perfusion of the optic nerve head should be monitored. If necessary, treatment will be necessary to reduce pressure.
For one procedure, it is allowed to administer the drug in only one eye.
Overdose
In clinical trials, cases of unintentional overdose were noted. The most common signs of this are:
- severe and sharp pain in the eye;
- increased intraocular pressure.
If such symptoms appear, the patient should be under the supervision of a doctor and undergo the necessary therapy.
Interaction with other drugs
It is not known how the drug "Lucentis" interacts with other drugs. The patients' reviews (most of them) allow us to conclude that the doctors do not prescribe any other drugs with Lucentis except anesthetics and anti-infection.
This is due to the fact that no studies have been conducted regarding the interaction of Lucentis with other drugs. Therefore, the tool is not recommended for use with other solutions or drugs.
During pregnancy and lactation
Lucentis injection is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women (reviews also confirm this). This is due to the fact that the drug is classified as teratogenic and embryotoxic drugs, that is, it causes disturbances in the development of the fetus.
As for women of reproductive age, the interval between the end of treatment and conception should be at least 3 months - during this time, ranibizumab will be completely excreted. Until this moment, reliable contraceptives should be used.
Side effects
An injection in the eye can also cause undesirable effects (Lucentis). Patient reviews in this regard are mostly positive - side effects are very rare. Nevertheless, two-year clinical studies have revealed the following serious health consequences after the administration of the drug:
- endophthalmitis;
- retinal detachment ;
- cataract;
- increased intraocular pressure;
- intraocular inflammation.
In addition, less dangerous consequences of the use of "Lucentis" associated with the organs of vision were noted:
- inflammation of the vitreous body and intraocular;
- vitreous detachment ;
- visual impairment;
- retinal hemorrhage;
- eye pain;
- conjunctive hemorrhage;
- blepharitis;
- eye irritation;
- lacrimation
- dry eye syndrome;
- iritis;
- uveitis;
- decreased visual acuity;
- adhesion of the iris;
- degenerative processes in the retina;
- redness of the eye.
The following side effects also occurred:
- nasopharyngitis;
- flu;
- anxiety;
- anemia;
- headaches;
- strokes
- cough;
- nausea;
- itching and rash;
- arthralgia.
However, all these side effects are noted in less than 2% of cases using the "Lucentis". Reviews, in particular, indicate a relatively frequent occurrence of redness and pain. However, these symptoms disappear quite quickly.
Storage conditions
“Lucentis” should be stored at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, but in no case should it be frozen. Keep the product in a dark and dry place where there is no access for children. The shelf life of the drug is 3 years from the date of manufacture. It is forbidden to use the expired "Lucentis".
special instructions
When using Lucentis, various visual disturbances can occur that adversely affect the patient’s ability to work with various mechanisms and drive a vehicle. Therefore, if such symptoms have manifested, you should not drive a car or manipulate the mechanisms until all visual disturbances disappear.
It is also not recommended to drive the vehicle immediately after the injection, even if you do not notice any sensations at first. Side effects may occur later, for example, after the end of the action of the pain medication.
"Lutsentis": reviews of doctors
"Lutsentis" is often recommended and prescribed by doctors, as it is considered a fairly effective drug. On the other hand, the patient is not always able to afford to pay the required number of injections: Lutsentis is a rather expensive means. In these cases, doctors suggest replacing it with a cheaper analogue, Avastin. However, the latter has not yet been adequately investigated, so the initial recommendation of doctors remains the tried and tested Lucentis. Ophthalmologists have long been familiar with this tool, they know what consequences can be expected, and recognize its effectiveness.
Patient Reviews
Now let's talk about what the patients themselves think about the Lucentis drug. Reviews suggest that the drug does not always have the expected effect. Nevertheless, the majority of patients who completed the course claim that vision has improved significantly or has ceased to decline. At the same time, such shelf effects as pain and the occurrence of infection are noted, but antibiotics can easily cope with this. In addition, most patients are confident that such undesirable consequences are worth the result.
However, there are cases when the drug was ineffective. The fact that "Lutsentis" helps not in 100% of cases, the doctors themselves say. Although the most significant drawback, according to patients, is the cost of the product. Not everyone can afford a full course of several injections.
Among the significant advantages, in addition to effectiveness, is called the use of “Lucentis” painlessly (the reviews agree on this issue). The only inconvenience is discomfort before and after administration of the drug. However, they are quite tolerant, and the injection itself is completely not felt. After the termination of anesthesia, slight pains are noted.
Nevertheless, "Lutsentis" considers a rather effective tool, after the use of which patients experience an improvement in vision.