Pegaptanib

Pegaptanib is a prescription medication used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Pegaptanib belongs to a group of drugs called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonists. These work by stopping abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the eye(s) that may cause vision loss in people with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into the eye by a healthcare professional once every six weeks.

Common side effects of pegaptanib include punctate keratitis (inflammation on the surface of the cornea), vitreous floaters or  opacities (small particles in the field of vision), eye pain, and increased intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye). 

Pegaptanib can also cause blurred vision and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how pegaptanib affects you.

Pegaptanib is a prescription medication used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pegaptanib may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Macugen

Serious side effects have been reported with pegaptanib. See the “Pegaptanib Precautions” section.

Common side effects of pegaptanib include the following:

• anterior chamber inflammation (inflammation of the fluid-filled space between the iris, the colored part of the eye and the clear outer layer of the eye, cornea) 
• blurred vision 
• cataract (clouding of the lens of the eye) 
• conjunctival hemorrhage (bloodshot eye) 
• corneal edema (swelling of the clear outer layer of the eye) 
• eye discharge
• eye irritation
• eye pain
• high blood pressure
• increased intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye)
• eye discomfort
• punctate keratitis (inflammation of the surface of the cornea, clear outer layer of the eye) 
• reduced visual acuity
• visual disturbances
• vision loss
• vitreous floaters or opacities (small particles in the field of vision)

This is not a complete list of pegaptanib side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been studied by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with pegaptanib including the following:

• Endophthalmitis (inflammation of the inner coats of the eye due to an infection). In the days following pegaptanib administration, patients are at risk for developing endophthalmitis. Please seek immediate medical care If you experience any of the following: eye redness, sensitivity to light, eye pain, or changes in vision. 
• Increases in intraocular pressure. Increases in the pressure inside the eye have been seen within 30 minutes of injection with pegaptanib. Your doctor should monitor you appropriately. 
• Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction): Please seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following soon after the injection: sudden onset of breathing difficulty or wheezing, swollen mouth, face, hands or feet, itching skin, fainting, rapid pulse, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Pegaptanib can cause blurred vision and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how pegaptanib affects you.

Do not take pegaptanib if you:

• are allergic to pegaptanib or to any of its ingredients 
• have an eye infection in or around the eye 

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of pegaptanib, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking pegaptanib, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you

• are allergic to pegaptanib or to any of its ingredients
• have an eye infection in or around the eye
• have liver problems
• have kidney problems or are undergoing hemodialysis treatment
• are pregnant or breastfeeding or are planning to become pregnant or breastfeed

​Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if pegaptanib crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using pegaptanib. 

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into the eye by a healthcare professional once every six weeks.

Before the treatment is given your eye doctor may ask you to use antibiotic eye drops, or to wash your eyes carefully. Please follow these instructions carefully.

After each injection your doctor might prescribe antibiotic eye drops or another type of antibiotic treatment to prevent an eye infection.

If you miss a dose, be sure to make a follow up appointment.

The recommended dose of Macugen (pegaptanib) is 0.3 mg and is injected into the eye once every six weeks.

• Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will need to examine your eyes to see if you are developing serious side effects during the week following the injection.