Pronunciation: peg-AP-ta-nib
Generic Name: Pegaptanib
Brand Name: Macugen
Macugen is used for:
Treating a certain eye problem known as neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Macugen is a selective vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist. It works by blocking a protein in the eye to slow or stop wet AMD.
Do NOT use Macugen if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Macugen
- you have an infection in or around the eye
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Macugen:
Some medical conditions may interact with Macugen. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of glaucoma or other eye problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Macugen. However, no specific interactions with Macugen are known at this time.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Macugen may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Macugen:
Use Macugen as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Macugen is administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
- If Macugen contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
- Macugen is for injection into the eye only.
- Do not shake forcefully.
- If you miss a dose of Macugen, contact your doctor immediately.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Macugen.
Important safety information:
- Macugen may cause dizziness or vision changes. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Macugen. Using Macugen alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
- If your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, or painful, or if you develop a change in vision, contact your eye doctor or health care provider immediately.
- Lab tests, including eye examinations and eye pressure measurements, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Macugen with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Macugen during pregnancy. It is unknown if Macugen is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Macugen, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Macugen:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; minor eye irritation; nausea.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bleeding; blurred vision or other unusual changes in vision; chest pain; eye discharge; floaters, sparks, or lights in your vision; hearing loss; hoarseness; pain, redness, or swelling of your eye or eyelid; sensitivity to light.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Macugen side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Macugen:
Store Macugen in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Keep Macugen out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Macugen, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Macugen is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Macugen. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
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 Consumer Overview
Compare Macugen with other medications
- Macular Degeneration
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