Ranibizumab is a recombinant humanised IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody fragment which binds to active forms of human vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and inhibits their biologic activity. Binding of ranibizumab to VEGF-A inhibits VEGF from binding to its receptors, thereby suppressing neovascularisation (angiogenesis), endothelial cell proliferation and vascular permeability.

Ranibizumab is indicated for the treatment of patients with:

• Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
• Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
• Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
• Diabetic Retinopathy (Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR), Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)) in patients with Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
• Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization (mCNV)

Intravitreal (Adult)-

Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration: 0.5 mg mthly into the affected eye as a single dose. Continue treatment until visual acuity is stable for 3 consecutive mth. Doses are given at intervals of at least 1 mth.

Choroidal neovascularisation secondary to pathologic myopia: 0.5 mg into the affected eye as a single dose. Further injections may be given if monitoring reveals signs of disease activity (1-2 inj during the 1st yr; some patients may need more frequent treatment). Doses are given at intervals of at least 1 mth.

Diabetic macular oedema, Macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: 0.5 mg mthly into the affected eye as a single dose. Continue treatment until visual acuity is stable for 3 consecutive mth. Doses are given at intervals of at least 1 mth. Discontinue treatment if no improvement in visual acuity after 3 initial inj.

Active or suspected ocular or periocular infection, active severe intraocular inflammation, signs of irreversible ischaemic visual function loss in patients with retinal vein occlusion.

Ocular pain, hyperaemia, irritation and pruritus; increased intraocular pressure, vitritis, vitreous detachment, retinal haemorrhage, visual disturbance, vitreous floaters, conjunctival haemorrhage, foreign body sensation in eyes, increased lacrimation, blepharitis, dry eye, headache, nasopharyngitis, arthralgia, thromboembolic events. Less frequently, endophthalmitis, blindness, retinal detachment, retinal tear and iatrogenic traumatic cataract.

Overdose Effects

Symptoms: Increased intraocular pressure, transient blindness, reduced visual acuity, corneal oedema, corneal pain, and eye pain.

Management: Intraocular pressure should be monitored and treated by the attending physician, if necessary.

Patient with risk factors for retinal pigment epithelial tears, history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack, uncontrolled HTN, previous intravitreal inj, active systemic infections, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular oedema due to type 1 DM. Discontinue treatment if rhegmatogenous retinal detachment or stage 3 or 4 macular hole develops. Diabetic patients w/ glycosylated Hb over 12%.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category C: Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.