Macugen
Generic Name: pegaptanib ophthalmic injection (peg AP ta nib off THAL mik in JEK tion)
Brand Names: Macugen
What is Macugen?
Related Video
Diabetes
Why managing blood sugar is so important.
Macugen (pegaptanib) decreases the level of a protein that affects the cells of the eye. This protein can cause swelling and blood vessel changes that lead to macular degeneration and blindness.
Macugen treats age-related macular degeneration.
Macugen may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Macugen
You should not receive Macugen if you have an infection in or around your eye.
Before you receive Macugen, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction when receiving a pegaptanib injection.
Macugen is given as an injection through a needle placed directly into your eye. Your doctor will give you this injection in a clinic setting. Only one eye at a time will be treated unless your doctor prescribes otherwise.
Macugen injections are usually given every 6 weeks.
Before your injection, you will receive a numbing medicine to make you comfortable during the injection. You will also be treated with an antibiotic medicine to prevent infection.
After your injection, your doctor will need to check your eyes periodically for up to 30 minutes. You may also need to be checked again in 2 and 7 days.
You may need to protect your eyes from bright light while you are being treated with Macugen.
Before receiving Macugen
You should not receive Macugen if you have an infection in or around your eye.
Before you receive Macugen, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction when receiving a pegaptanib injection.
FDA pregnancy category B. Macugen is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether pegaptanib passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Macugen without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
See also: Macugen pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
How is Macugen given?
Macugen is given as an injection through a needle placed directly into your eye. Your doctor will give you this injection in a clinic setting. Only one eye at a time will be treated unless your doctor prescribes otherwise.
Macugen injections are usually given every 6 weeks.
Before your injection, you will receive a numbing medicine to make you comfortable during the injection. You will also be treated with an antibiotic medicine to prevent infection.
After your injection, your doctor will need to check your eyes periodically for up to 30 minutes. You may also need to be checked again in 2 and 7 days.
To be sure Macugen is helping your condition, your eyes will need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic to prevent an eye infection, take the antibiotic for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while receiving Macugen?
You may need to protect your eyes from bright light while you are being treated with Macugen.
Macugen side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Macugen: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
eye pain, redness, or irritation;
drainage or discharge from your eyes;
feeling that your eyes are more sensitive to light; or
trouble seeing, or other vision changes.
Less serious Macugen side effects may include:
cough;
diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;
headache, dizziness;
joint pain; or
painful or burning urination.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Macugen side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Macugen?
There may be other drugs that can interact with Macugen injection. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Macugen resources
Macugen Side Effects (in More Detail)
Macugen Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Macugen Drug Interactions
Macugen Support Group
0 Reviews for Macugen - Add your own review/rating
Macugen Prescribing Information (FDA)
Macugen Monograph (AHFS DI)
Macugen Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
Macugen MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Macugen with other medications
Macular Degeneration
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about Macugen ophthalmic injection.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2010 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.03. Revision Date: 10/27/2010 8:30:32 PM.
0 comments