What it does
Ranibizumab is a medicine used to treat specific eye conditions that affect vision.
Commonly used for: age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion
Read more in plain English ↓Plain-language summary for general understanding - not medical advice. Always follow your pharmacist/doctor.
Ask about this medicine
Answers come only from this medicine's registration record, BNF monograph and interaction data - not medical advice.
Hard to find? We help patients in Kenya source rare medicines. We don't sell or dispense medicines - licensed pharmacies do.
Source this medicineRegistration & product details
Source: Pharmacy and Poisons Board · fetched 2026-01-28 21:32:59 · updated 2026-09-04 02:11:29
Drug Interactions
5Unknown (5)
Argatroban - increases risk of bleeding events
Ranibizumab is predicted to increase the risk of bleeding events when given with thrombin inhibitors (argatroban).
Bivalirudin - increases risk of bleeding events
Ranibizumabispredictedtoincreasetheriskofbleeding eventswhengivenwiththrombininhibitors(bivalirudin). oTheoretical R Ra an ni ot li ad zi in ne e→ →s se ee eH T2 Ar Bec Le Ep 9to pr .a 1n 5t 1a 9g (o
Danaparoid - increases risk of bleeding events
Ranibizumab is predicted to increase the risk of bleeding events when given with danaparoid. Dantrolene → see TABLE 1 p. 1517 (hepatotoxicity)
Phenindione - increases risk of bleeding events
Ranibizumab is predicted to increase the risk of bleeding events when given with phenindione.
Thrombin Inhibitors - increases risk of bleeding events
Ranibizumab is predicted to increase the risk of bleeding events when given with thrombin inhibitors (argatroban).
Data from BNF 85 (British National Formulary). This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Matched via: exact
About this medicine
Ranibizumab is a medicine used to treat specific eye conditions that affect vision.
What it treats
- age-related macular degeneration
- diabetic macular edema
- retinal vein occlusion
How it works
It works by blocking a protein that causes abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, helping to preserve vision.
Who it's for
This medicine is for adults with certain eye diseases that can lead to vision loss.
AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
Clinical monograph: Ranibizumab
BNF-referencedRanibizumab is a monoclonal antibody fragment that inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key mediator in angiogenesis, promoting abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye. It is primarily used to treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema, conditions that can lead to vision loss due to retinal damage.
Indications
- Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration
- Diabetic macular edema
Dosage
Children: Dosage information for pediatric patients is not established; refer to the BNF for Children for specific guidelines.
Adults: The recommended dose for adults is usually 0.5 mg (0.05 ml) administered as an intravitreal injection, with treatment intervals typically every month or as directed by a specialist based on the patient's response.
Mechanism of action
Ranibizumab binds to and inhibits the activity of VEGF-A, preventing it from interacting with its receptors on the surface of endothelial cells. This action reduces vascular permeability and neovascularization, stabilizing the retinal tissue and improving visual function.
Pharmacodynamics
The pharmacodynamic effects of ranibizumab include the reduction of fluid leakage from retinal vessels and the regression of newly formed blood vessels, which improves the visual acuity in patients with retinal disorders. The effects are generally seen within a few weeks of administration.
Pharmacokinetics
Ranibizumab is administered via intravitreal injection, leading to localized concentrations in the eye. Systemic absorption is minimal due to the large molecular weight of the drug. It has a half-life of approximately 9 days in the vitreous humor. Clearance is primarily via retinal and choroidal mechanisms.
Contra-indications
- Intra-ocular inflammation (active)
- Ocular or periocular infection
- Previous retinal detachment or macular hole with visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema
Adverse effects
- Endophthalmitis
- Intra-ocular pressure increase
- Retinal detachment
- Vitreous hemorrhage
- Cataract formation
Interactions
- Danaparoid: Unknown (increases risk of bleeding events)
- Phenindione: Unknown (increases risk of bleeding events)
- Thrombin inhibitors: Unknown (increases risk of bleeding events)
- Argatroban: Unknown (increases risk of bleeding events)
- Bivalirudin: Unknown (increases risk of bleeding events)
Precautions
- Monitor intra-ocular pressure and perfusion of the optic nerve head following injection
- Counsel patients or their carers to report symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis, retinal detachment or intra-ocular inflammation
- Use with caution in patients with a history of ocular or periocular infections
Pregnancy
Avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk-systemic exposure very low; limited information available.
Breast-feeding
Specialist sources indicate use with caution-no information available. Large molecular weight suggests limited excretion into milk and likely partial destruction in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract.
Storage
Store in a refrigerator (2–8°C). May be stored unopened at room temperature (20–25°C) for up to 24 hours before use; protect from light.
Formulations
- Solution for injection (pre-filled disposable injection)
AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.
This drug in other countries
The same active ingredient registered across other registries we cover - including different brands.