DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
General Dosing Information
FOR OPHTHALMIC INTRAVITREAL INJECTION ONLY.
Dosing
LUCENTIS 0.5 mg (0.05 mL) is recommended to be administered by intravitreal injection once a month.
Although less effective, treatment may be reduced to one injection every three months after the first four injections if monthly injections are not feasible. Compared to continued monthly dosing, dosing every 3 months will lead to an approximate 5‑letter (1‑line) loss of visual acuity benefit, on average, over the following 9 months. Patients should be evaluated regularly [see Clinical Studies].
Preparation for Administration
Using aseptic technique, all (0.2 mL) of the LUCENTIS vial contents are withdrawn through a 5‑micron, 19‑gauge filter needle attached to a 1‑cc tuberculin syringe. The filter needle should be discarded after withdrawal of the vial contents and should not be used for intravitreal injection. The filter needle should be replaced with a sterile 30‑gauge × 1/2‑inch needle for the intravitreal injection. The contents should be expelled until the plunger tip is aligned with the line that marks 0.05 mL on the syringe.
Administration
The intravitreal injection procedure should be carried out under controlled aseptic conditions, which include the use of sterile gloves, a sterile drape, and a sterile eyelid speculum (or equivalent). Adequate anesthesia and a broad‑spectrum microbicide should be given prior to the injection.
Following the intravitreal injection, patients should be monitored for elevation in intraocular pressure and forendophthalmitis. Monitoring may consist of a check for perfusion of the optic nerve head immediately after the injection, tonometry within 30 minutes following the injection, and biomicroscopy between two and seven days following the injection. Patients should be instructed to report any symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis without delay.
Each vial should only be used for the treatment of a single eye. If the contralateral eye requires treatment, a new vial should be used and the sterile field, syringe, gloves, drapes, eyelid speculum, filter, and injection needles should be changed before LUCENTIS is administered to the other eye.
No special dosage modification is required for any of the populations that have been studied (e.g., gender, elderly).
Dosage Forms and Strengths
Single-use glass vial designed to provide 0.05 mL of 10 mg/mL solution for intravitreal injection.
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