Lucentis side effects: What you should know

Lucentis can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Lucentis in clinical trials:

• eye floaters (spots in your vision)
• bleeding in your eye
• eye pain or irritation*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Lucentis use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Lucentis’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Lucentis include:

• eye floaters
• bleeding in your eye
• blurred vision
• cough
• dry eye
• eye itching
• nausea
• a feeling of something in your eye
• symptoms of the common cold
• eye pain or irritation*
• mild allergic reaction†

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect during Lucentis treatment and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

† An allergic reaction is possible after using Lucentis. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Lucentis may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Lucentis’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects during Lucentis treatment, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

• Endophthalmitis (an infection that causes severe swelling in your eye). Symptoms can include:
  • blurry vision
  • swollen eyelids
  • eye pain
  • eyes that look cloudy or red
  • sensitivity to bright lights
• Retinal detachment (when your retina detaches from the back of your eye). Symptoms can include:
  • blurry vision
  • the sudden appearance of floaters
  • reduced ability to see objects unless they’re right in front of you
  • flashes of light in one or both eyes
• Anemia (low red blood cell levels). Symptoms can include:
  • pale skin
  • shortness of breath
  • fast heartbeat
• Cataracts (clouding of the lens in your eye). Symptoms can include:
  • cloudy or blurry vision
  • sensitivity to glare
  • trouble seeing at night
• Increased pressure inside your eye.
• Blood clots.*
• Severe allergic reaction.†

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

† An allergic reaction is possible after using Lucentis. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Lucentis may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Are side effects of Lucentis similar to those seen with Avastin or Eylea?

The side effects of Lucentis are similar to those seen with Eylea. These two medications are in the same drug class, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGFs). The most common side effects reported with these drugs are eye pain and bleeding.

Avastin and Lucentis have some similar side effects. Avastin is also in the anti-VEGF drug class. However, it is FDA-approved to treat certain types of cancer. Avastin is used off-label to treat certain eye conditions. (Off-label use is when a drug approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition.)

Because of this, the side effects of Avastin when it’s used to treat certain eye conditions are not reviewed by the FDA. However, the American Academy of Ophthalmology provides side effects of Avastin when used for certain eye conditions.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how the side effects of Lucentis, Avastin, and Eylea compare.

How long do side effects of Lucentis usually last?

The length of time side effects last depends on the side effect. Some may go away within a few hours, while others may be permanent. Side effects that may go away after your Lucentis injection include increased eye pressure and eye pain.

An increase in eye pressure typically occurs within 1 hour after your injection and goes away within a few hours. In rare cases, the increased eye pressure may continue long term. Your doctor will monitor your eye pressure before and after your injection.

Eye pain after your Lucentis injection is one of the more common side effects. It should go away within a few hours to a few days after your injection.

Eye floaters may occur after your injection and can be permanent. However, eye floaters may fade over time in some cases.

If you have side effects from Lucentis that are bothersome or aren’t going away, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Lucentis may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Lucentis.

Eye pain or irritation

Eye pain or irritation was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of Lucentis. In most cases, eye pain is mild and goes away on its own within a few hours to a few days after your injection.

What you can do

Before your injection, you’ll receive eye drops that numb your eye to help prevent pain during the Lucentis injection. Your eye may be sore after the injection, and this soreness can last for a few hours to a few days. Wearing sunglasses after your injection may be helpful in case your eyes are sensitive to light. When you get home, try to rest your eyes.

If you have eye pain or irritation that doesn’t go away or worsens, you should call your doctor immediately. Severe eye pain may be a symptom of an infection or a more serious condition.

Blood clots

There have been reports of blood clots in people treated with Lucentis. This was a rare side effect in clinical trials of the drug. A blood clot can cause pain and swelling in your leg or arm or sudden mental changes. It’s also possible that blood clots could lead to more serious conditions, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

• chest pain or pressure
• sweaty or clammy skin
• severe headache
• vision problems

Symptoms of a stroke can include:

• confusion
• vision problems
• numbness or weakness, which may affect only one side of your body
• trouble talking

What you can do

If you notice any symptoms of a blood clot, talk with your doctor right away. They can determine whether you have a blood clot and how best to treat it.

Call 911 or get emergency medical care right away if you experience symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Lucentis can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction with Lucentis may appear as severe swelling in your eye. Other mild or serious symptoms are also possible and may include:

• skin rash
• itching
• flushing
• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and may determine whether you should continue treatment with Lucentis. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you start treatment with Lucentis. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Eye infection or inflammation: If you have an infection or inflammation in your eye or on the skin around your eye, you shouldn’t use Lucentis. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any changes in your vision or symptoms of an eye infection, such as fever, skin discoloration, or crusting around your eye. They will likely wait until your infection is gone before giving you a Lucentis injection. If you experience changes in your vision with inflammation in your eye, your doctor will likely stop treatment with Lucentis.

Glaucoma: Before starting treatment with Lucentis, tell your doctor about any eye conditions you have. Lucentis can increase eye pressure and may worsen some eye conditions, such as glaucoma. Your doctor will check your eye pressure before and after your Lucentis injection and may recommend treatment to manage your eye pressure before starting therapy.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lucentis or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lucentis. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known whether Lucentis is safe to use if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child. Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with Lucentis if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Alcohol consumption: If you drink alcohol, Lucentis is likely safe for you to use. Talk with your doctor about how much alcohol is safe to drink during Lucentis treatment.

Like most medications, Lucentis can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild, but some may be severe and require treatment. Talk with your doctor if you develop side effects that are bothersome or serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Lucentis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

• More information about Lucentis: For details about other aspects of Lucentis, refer to this article.
• Drug comparison: To learn how Lucentis compares with Avastin, read this article.
• Dosage: For information about the dosage of Lucentis, view this article.
• A look at your condition: For details about your condition, see our eye health hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.