Buy Lucentis (Ranibizumab) Online From Canada

What is Lucentis (Ranibizumab)?

Lucentis belongs to a group of medications called anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) agents and is used to treat various eye disorders. Lucentis is a product of Genentech, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in San Francisco.

What is it used for?

Lucentis is indicated for the treatment of retinal damage in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema (DME), myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) secondary to pathologic myopia and edema resulted from macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Apart from that, Lucentis is also effective in treating CNV caused by central serous chorioretinopathy, angioid streaks, and post-inflammatory retinochoroidopathy.

How to take this medication

Lucentis is intended to be injected intravitreally. The injection process should be carried out with aseptic techniques. Prior to injection, doctors should administer an anesthesia and a broad-spectrum microbicide. At the same time, the treated eye should be cleaned with a solution containing iodine. Lucentis should be administered into the white part of the eye (sclera). If the other eye needs to be injected, use a new vial to ensure sterility. The intraocular pressure should be monitored 30 minutes before and after injection. Wait for at least one month before injecting Lucentis into the same eye.

How does Ranibizumab work?

Lucentis is formulated with ranibizumab as the active ingredient. Once administered, ranibizumab attaches to the receptor binding site of VEGF-A. In models of vascular occlusion and ocular angiogenesis, VEGF-A has been shown to trigger leakage and neovascularization. It is believed that VEGF-A has a key role in the pathophysiology of macular edema following RVO, DME, DR, mCNV, and neovascular AMD. By binding to VEGF-A, ranibizumab effectively blocks the interaction between VEGF-A and its receptors (e.g. VEGFR2 and VEGFR1) on the endothelial cellular surface, thereby decreasing vascular leakage and endothelial cell proliferation. At the same time, Lucentis helps to prevent the formation of new blood vessels.

Dosage

Lucentis comes in two strengths, which are 0.3mg (6mg/ml) and 0.5mg (10mg/ml). It is supplied in a disposable glass vial or prefilled syringe. The dosage of Lucentis varies depending on the treated indication. For example, when used in the treatment for macular degeneration and macular edema following RVO, 0.5mg of Lucentis should be injected intravitreally into the eye every 28 days (once a month). When used to treat DME or diabetic retinopathy with DME, a dose of 0.3mg should be used instead (with the same dosing schedule).

Lucentis side effects

Being FDA-approved, Lucentis has a good safety profile and is well tolerated by most patients; however, some patients may experience the following side effects.

Some of the common adverse effects of Lucentis are

• puffy eyelids, dry eyes and watery or itchy eyes
• eye irritation or pain or sensation of having something in the eye
• nausea, sore throat, sinus pain and cough
• blurred vision

Occasionally, patients may experience side effects other than the ones listed here. Refer to the product information for a full list of side effects. As a general rule, patients should see a doctor if side effects persist or worsen, or if any unexpected adverse effect occurs.