The retina is one of the membranes at the back of the eye. Its function is to transform the light stimulus into a nervous one and send it to the brain, so that the images are formed.
This very important part of our body is also very sensitive. Thus, injuries in this region can cause serious problems.
For this reason, it is often necessary to intervene with medicines different from traditional eye drops. This is the case with the Lucentis remedy. Check out more information about the indications of this medication and other curiosities below:
Contents
What is the Lucentis injection?
The Lucentis drug is sold in an injectable version, for intraocular application (inside the eye). It has as its active ingredient Ranibizumab, which acts as an antibody and reduces the growth and leakage of blood from vessels in the eye – conditions responsible for eye diseases that decrease vision.
In general, this injection is always used in cases involving lesions in the retina, which can originate from diseases such as diabetes to cases of degenerative disorders.
What is the Lucentis injection for?
The injection of the drug Lucentis is indicated for the treatment of lesions in the retina (the back of the eye sensitive to light). The use should be for cases of diseases caused by leakage and / or abnormal growth of blood vessels, which can cause decreased vision.
- Wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD);
- Choroidal neovascularization (NVC) – pathological process that consists of the formation of new blood vessels in the choroid (membrane that surrounds the eye);
- Diabetic macular edema (EMD);
- Edema due to blockage of the retinal veins (OVR), in which fluids accumulate in the back of the eyes.
How does the active ingredient Ranibizumab act according to the package leaflet?
The label explains that the active ingredient Ranibizumab is part of an antibody – proteins that specifically recognize and connect to other unique proteins in the body.
Thus, Ranibizumab binds selectively to a protein called human vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), which is present in the retina.
When this happens, this substance reduces both the growth and the leakage of blood from vessels in the eye. This is because it is this blood leak that contributes to several eye diseases, leading to the need to use medications like Lucentis.
How does Lucentis apply?
The Lucentis medication should always be administered in a hospital environment, medical clinics or outpatient operating rooms, by an ophthalmologist.
It is the application of an injection into the eye (intraocular). Before that, an eye drop is used that can kill germs in the eye and the skin around the eye, then another eye drop is applied in order to anesthetize the area.
It is injected as a single application and, according to the package leaflet, the usual dose is 0.05 mL (which corresponds to 0.5 mg of active ingredient). The needle should be inserted 3.5mm to 4.0mm posterior to the limbus of the vitreous cavity (gelatinous liquid that fills most of the inside of the eyeball).
The injection site should be switched for the following applications. In addition, the interval between doses (injected in the same eye) should not be less than one month.
The duration of treatment should be in accordance with the recommendations of the responsible medical team. But in many cases, it is common that it is necessary to use the drug every 4 to 6 weeks.
What are the precautions after applying Lucentis?
According to the directions on the package insert, after applying Lucentis, sometimes serious infections or disorders in the eye can occur.
Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of possible reactions and – mainly – signs of infection, which include redness of the eye, pain in the eye, sensitivity to light and / or changes in vision.
In addition, some people may experience increased eye pressure for a short period shortly after the injection. There are also cases where this pressure is long-lasting. Thus, it is essential to have monitoring by the medical team after each injection.
Finally, the package insert reinforces that if you notice any changes after the administration of Lucentis, seek assistance from the doctor immediately.
What are the side effects of Lucentis?
Like any medication, Lucentis has some possible side effects. It is worth remembering that they may not manifest themselves or, even, it may be that patients have more than one. Check what is in the package leaflet:
Serious reactions
The Lucentis package insert provides recommendations for possible adverse reactions that can be serious and that, if they occur, it is necessary to seek medical help immediately:
- Signs of inflammation or infection in the eye – such as redness, pain, sensitivity to light and / or changes in vision;
- See flashes of light with floaters (seeing spots or cobwebs), progressing to a loss of vision or blurred vision;
- Signs of stroke – such as weakness or paralysis of the limbs or face, difficulty speaking or understanding.
Very common reactions
The most common reactions are those that appear in more than 10% of patients who use the drug:
- Inflammation of the eye;
- Bleeding from the eye;
- Visual alteration;
- Pain in the eye;
- Vision of points or spider webs (floaters);
- Redness in the eyes;
- Eye irritation;
- Sensation of having a speck in the eye;
- Increased tear production;
- Inflammation or infection at the edges of the eye;
- Dry eye;
- Redness or itching of the eye;
- Increased pressure inside the eye.
Common reactions
Common reactions are those that appear in 1% to 10% of patients who use the drug:
- Vision of flashes of light with floaters and shadows progressing to a loss of vision;
- Decreased clarity of vision;
- Swelling of a part of the eye (uvea, cornea);
- Cataract;
- Scratches on the cornea (front of the eye);
- Bleeding in the eye or injection site;
- Pus in the eye with itching, redness and swelling (conjunctivitis);
- Sensitivity to light;
- Eye discomfort;
- Swelling of the eyelid;
- Eyelid pain;
- Blurred vision;
- Corneal inflammation.
Lucentis or Eylia?
The Lucentis and E y lia drugs are of the “biological” type and have the same indications for use. Despite having different active principles, the mechanism of action is the same.
So, despite their similarity, they are not identical drugs. That is, they should not be used together, nor as substitutes for each other. If a medication change is necessary, this should be done with medical advice.
This is because Lucentis and Eylia present different formulas and guidelines, which needs to be analyzed before referral to the patient.
Is it approved by ANVISA?
-Yeah . The drug Lucentis is registered under number 100681056 with ANVISA (National Health Surveillance Agency).
With this, it is a medication approved for commercialization and use, with safety and efficacy proven from specific tests.
Value: what is the price of Lucentis and where to buy cheaper?
The price * for Lucentis may vary depending on the location and availability of the medicine. The commercialized version can also interfere in the value.
A tip to know where to buy the cheapest medicine, is to use the Consultation Remedies website . It compares prices from different establishments and helps you find the best one for you.
Now, check out the Lucentis price range:
- Lucentis (10mg / mL) box with 1 ampoule containing 0.23mL of intraocular solution + 1 syringe + 1 needle + 1 filter for injection – the price is between R $ 4,000 and R $ 5,522;
- Lucentis (10mg / mL) box with 1 ampoule containing 0.23mL of intraocular solution + 1 needle with filter – in general, the price is close to R $ 4,375, but can reach up to R $ 5,522.
* Prices consulted in March 2020. Prices may change.
Are you generic?
No . Lucentis is a biological medication and, therefore, does not have alternative or generic versions.
In addition, it is worth noting that, if another version of this remedy is created, it will also be classified as biological.
Free treatment: Does Ranibizumab have SUS?
No . Ranibizumab (active ingredient in Lucentis) is not present in the National List of Essential Medicines (RENAME) 2020.
It is also not currently classified as an exceptional dispensing medication. Therefore, at the moment it is not made available by SUS.
How to budget Lucentis?
When a medication is not available through the Unified Health System (SUS), patients with a medical report can make a judicial request to receive treatment funded by the Federal Government or Health Plan – if applicable.
For this, it is necessary to open a process according to the stipulated requests. Among them is the delivery of documents that include:
- Medical report;
- Exams;
- Standard requirement;
- Budget of 3 pharmacies .
In order to make the budget easier, it is possible to count on the assistance of advisors in judicial quotations for the purchase of medicines.
When accessing the link , just perform your registration informing some personal data and the necessary medication. Finally, just click on “request quotes” and wait for the return.
There are several types of lesions in the retina, among them, those caused by growth and leakage of blood from vessels in the eye. Which can be associated with health problems like diabetes or degenerative conditions. Therefore, medications like Lucentis are very important to prevent further damage to patients.
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