"Lucentis" preparation: reviews of patients and doctors, instructions for use

In this article we will talk about the drug "Lucentis". Instruction, reviews, dosage - all this and much more will be sanctified by us.

"Lucentis" is used in ophthalmology in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (neovascular form). Also used for diabetic edema of the macula to restore vision. The drug is injected into the vitreous of the eye.

Composition and form of release

It is a clear or slightly opalescent solution for internal administration of the drug "Lucentis" (reviews of patients 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 structure of Lucentis includes the following auxiliary components:

• Α-trehalose dihydrate;
• Polysorbate;
• L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate;
• water.

One cardboard package contains:

• A bottle of clear glass, with a volume of 0.23 ml, with a drug;
• Needle with filter;
• A sterile syringe with a needle.

The drug is dispensed in pharmacies only on prescription.

Indications

Assign a number of ophthalmic diseases "Lucentis". Patients' opinions are rather ambiguous, as to its effectiveness - someone helps the drug, and someone barely notices its effect. Nevertheless, "Lucentis" is prescribed for the following diseases:

• Moist (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 edema of the macula, which caused retinal vein occlusion;
• Decreased vision due to choroidal neovascularization caused by pathological myopia.

Contraindications

There are a number of contraindications for the appointment of the drug "Lucentis". The patient's testimonials also confirm that the medicinal product is not prescribed to everyone. So, the drug is prohibited for patients:

• Suffering from infectious eye diseases or susceptible to infectious processes of periocular localization;
• Who were diagnosed with "intraocular inflammation";
• Unready 18-year-old;
• In whom there is an increased sensitivity to any ingredient of the drug.

Also, the drug should not be administered to pregnant and lactating women.

The drug is administered with caution in the following category of patients:

• Persons with hypersensitivity; If there is a risk of a stroke, then the drug is administered only after the doctors assess the risk-benefit ratios of Lucentis.
• 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 medications that affect the endothelial growth of blood vessels.

In what cases is the treatment interrupted?

There are also cases when therapy should be urgently interrupted and no longer try to resume:

• Changes in intraocular pressure to 30 or more mm Hg. P.
• Decrease in visual acuity by 30 or more letters compared with the last measurement;
• Retinal rupture;
• Subretinal hemorrhage affecting the central fossa, or affecting more than 50% of the area;
• Intraocular surgery.

Dosage

Only in the form of injections in the vitreous body apply "Lucentis". The patients' testimonies indicate that the procedure itself is painless.

The content of one vial of the drug is intended for only one injection. Introduce the drug can only an ophthalmologist with experience in conducting similar procedures.

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 therapy, continuous monitoring of visual acuity should be carried out.

When appointing the drug to patients over 65 years of age, no special dose adjustment is required.

LUCENTIS: instructions for use

Reviews about the drug itself and about the work of doctors suggest that the patient himself needs to monitor the preparation for the introduction process in order to avoid negligence.

So, before the administration of the product, it is necessary to make sure that the solution corresponds to the norm - color, consistency, absence of sediment. When changing the shade or the presence of insoluble particles, Lucentis is prohibited to use.

The drug should be administered under sterile conditions: the hands of the health worker should be appropriately handled; Gloves are used only sterile, also napkins, eyelash extender and all other instruments that will be used are also sterile.

Immediately before the injection, the skin around the eye and eyelid is disinfected. Then anesthesia is made and antimicrobials are dripped . It must be remembered that antimicrobial agents must be digested 3 times a day before and after the procedure for three days.

Only if these rules are observed, treatment with Lucentis can be successful. The testimonies of those who passed it, say that there are cases when the 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, directing the tip of the needle towards the center of the eyeball. Subsequent injection should be performed in the half of the sclera that was not affected by the first injection.

Since intraocular pressure may increase within an hour after the procedure, it needs to be monitored, as well as to monitor the perfusion of the optic nerve. If necessary, treatment will be needed to reduce pressure.

For one procedure, it is allowed to administer the drug in only one eye.

Overdose

In the course of clinical trials, cases of unintentional overdose were noted. The most frequent signs of this were:

• 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 responses of patients (most of them) allow us to conclude that doctors do not prescribe any other drugs with Lucentis other than anesthetics and anti-infectious agents.

This is due to the fact that no research has been carried out regarding the interaction of Lucentis with other drugs. Therefore, the agent is not recommended for use with other solutions or drugs.

During pregnancy and lactation

Contraindicated to pregnant and nursing women shot of "Lucentis" (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 is completely eliminated from the body. Until the same time, you should use reliable contraceptives.

Side effects

Can cause and undesirable consequences of an injection in the eye ("Lucentis"). The patient's responses in this regard are mostly positive - side effects are very rare. Nevertheless, biennial clinical studies have revealed the following serious adverse effects on health after drug administration:

• Endophthalmitis;
• Detachment of the retina ;
• cataract;
• Increased intraocular pressure;
• Intraocular inflammation.

In addition, there were also less dangerous consequences of the use of Lucentis related to the organs of vision:

• Inflammation of the vitreous and intraocular;
• Vitreous body detachment;
• Impaired vision;
• Retinal hemorrhage;
• Pain in the eyes;
• Conjunctive hemorrhage;
• Blepharitis;
• Eye irritation;
• Lacrimation;
• Dry eye syndrome;
• Irit;
• Uveitis;
• Decreased visual acuity;
• A spike of the iris;
• Degenerative processes in the retina;
• Redness of the eye.

There were also the following side effects:

• Nasopharyngitis;
• flu;
• anxiety;
• anemia;
• headache;
• Strokes;
• cough;
• nausea;
• Itching and rash;
• Arthralgia.

However, all of these side effects are observed in less than 2% of the use of Lucentis. Reviews, in particular, indicate a relatively frequent occurrence of redness and pain. However, these symptoms pass fairly quickly.

Storage conditions

"Lucentis" should be stored at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, but in no case freeze. Keep the product in a dark and dry place, where there is no access for children. Shelf life of the drug is 3 years from the date of manufacture. It is forbidden to use the overdue Lucentis.

special instructions

When using LUCENTIS, various visual disturbances can occur that adversely affect a patient's ability to work with different mechanisms and drive a vehicle. Therefore, if such symptoms are manifested, do not sit behind the wheel of the car or manipulate the mechanisms until all the visual impairment disappears.

Also it is not recommended to drive the vehicle immediately after the injection, even if you do not notice any sensations at first. Side effects may appear later, for example, after the end of the painkiller.

LUCENTIS: reviews of doctors

"Lucentis" is often recommended and prescribed by doctors, since it is considered a fairly effective drug. On the other hand, not always the patient can afford to pay the required number of injections: "Lucentis" - quite expensive. In these cases, doctors propose to replace it with a cheaper analogue - Avastin. However, the latter has not yet been properly investigated, therefore the initial recommendation of the medical team remains the time-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 drug "Lucentis". Reviews say that the drug does not always have the expected effect. Nevertheless, most of the patients who completed the course, says that the vision has improved significantly or has ceased to decline. In this case, there are such sex effects as pain and the onset of infection, but antibiotics can easily cope with this. In addition, most patients are sure that such undesirable consequences are worth the result.

However, there are cases when the drug was ineffective. The fact that the "Lucentis" does not help in 100% of cases, they say, and doctors themselves. Although the most significant drawback, according to patients, is the cost of the facility. Not everyone can afford a full course of several injections.

Among the significant advantages, in addition to efficiency, is called painless application of "Lucentis" (reviews in this issue converge). The only inconvenience is unpleasant sensations before and after. However, they are quite tolerant, and the injection itself is not felt at all. After the termination of anesthesia, there are minor pains.

Nevertheless, "Lucentis" considers it quite effective, after which patients experience improved vision.