Cimerli (Intraocular)

Ranibizumab-eqrn is used to treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a condition of the retina in the eye that can cause blurred vision or blindness. Ranibizumab-eqrn works by changing how much blood flows to the eye.

Ranibizumab-eqrn is also used to treat myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV).

Ranibizumab-eqrn is also used to treat macular edema (swelling of the back of the eye) after retinal vein occlusion (a blockage in a blood vessel in the eye). It is also used for diabetic patients who have diabetic macular edema (DME). Macular edema can lead to vision loss. This medicine is also used to treat diabetic retinopathy (an eye problem caused by diabetes).

This medicine must be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Your eye doctor will want to check how you are doing at regular visits, especially in the first few days after you receive this medicine, to ensure it is working correctly and to look for any unwanted effects.

Serious eye or vision problems (for example, eye infection or bleeding, retinal detachment) may happen with this medicine. Contact your eye doctor right away if your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, painful, or watery, or if you have eye bleeding or discharge, a feeling that something is in your eye, or a change or loss of vision several days after you receive this medicine. Also, inform your eye doctor if you feel increased pressure in your eye.

This medicine may raise your risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. Get in touch with your doctor right away if you experience pain in your chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves, trouble breathing, a severe, sudden headache, slurred speech, sudden loss of coordination, sudden, severe weakness or numbness in your arm or leg, or vision changes.

In deciding to use a medicine, you need to consider the risks of taking it against the benefits it will provide. This is a decision you will make with your doctor. For this medicine, you should think about the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies you may have, like to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

No appropriate studies have been done on how age affects the use of ranibizumab-eqrn in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

Studies done so far have not shown any specific problems in older adults that would limit the usefulness of ranibizumab-eqrn.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if there is a possibility of an interaction. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken at or around mealtime or with certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional how your medicine interacts with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect how you can use this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• Eye infection or
• Severe eye swelling—This medicine should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects will happen, but if they do, you might need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Blindness
• bloody eye
• bloody urine
• blurred vision
• body aches or pain
• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• change or loss of vision
• chills
• cough
• decreased amount of urine
• diarrhea
• disturbed color perception
• ear congestion
• eye pain, irritation
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• halos around lights
• headache
• increased blood pressure
• increased thirst
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• loss of voice
• lower back or side pain
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea
• night blindness
• overbright appearance of lights
• pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
• pale skin
• redness of the eye
• seeing floating dark spots or material before the eyes
• seeing floating spots before the eyes, or a veil or curtain appearing across part of vision
• shivering
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• sweating
• swelling of the face, fingers, hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• tearing of the eyes
• trouble breathing
• trouble sleeping
• tunnel vision
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
• weight gain

Less common

• Chest tightness
• cough producing mucus
• difficulty in moving
• dizziness
• fainting
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• joint pain
• muscle stiffness
• redness, swelling, or itching of the eyelid
• redness of the white part of the eyes or inside of the eyelids
• sensitivity of the eye to light

Incidence not known

• Chest pain or discomfort
• confusion
• difficulty in speaking
• inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
• inability to speak
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck
• slow speech

Some side effects may happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you how to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Constipation
• heartburn

Less common

• Slow wound healing

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

In the U.S.

• Cimerli

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Ophthalmologic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Ranibizumab

Find detailed information on biosimilars for this medication.

An ophthalmologist (eye doctor) will give you this medicine as a shot into the eye. This medicine is usually given once a month (about every 28 days). In some patients, it may be given once every 3 months after the first 4 injections.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

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