Pegaptanib Sodium, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by injection into the eye to treat age-related “wet” macular degeneration.
• In the days after you receive this medicine, you are at risk for eye infection, eye inflammation, or retinal detachment. This medicine may cause other unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: macular degeneration therapy; selective vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist

Generic and brand names: pegaptanib sodium, injection; Macugen

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shot) into the eye to treat age-related “wet” macular degeneration (an eye disease).

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• Glaucoma

Also tell your provider if you have had an eye infection recently.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These shots are given by your healthcare provider once every 6 weeks. Keep all appointments for these shots.

What should I watch out for?

In the days after you receive this medicine, you are at risk for eye infection or inflammation. If the eye becomes red, sensitive to light, painful or you notice a change in vision, contact your eye care provider right away.

Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat); sudden weakness, numbness, or tingling, especially on one side of your body; sudden or severe headache; sudden trouble with vision, speech, balance, or walking.

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Severe vision changes; red, swollen, or painful eyes; sensitivity to light; seeing flashes of light or "floaters" in your vision; change in how much or how often you urinate; chest pain; trouble breathing; severe dizziness or fainting; hearing loss.

Other: Headache, blurred vision, dry eyes, itching eyes, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.