Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Macugen

Descriptions


Pegaptanib is used to treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a disorder of the retina of the eye that causes blurring of vision or blindness .

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription .

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of pegaptanib in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of pegaptanib in the elderly .

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Eye infection—Pegaptanib should NOT be used in patients with an infection in or around the eye .
  • Glaucoma—This medicine may increase eye pressure after injection. Your doctor will monitor your eye pressure during the week after every injection .

Proper Use

A doctor will give you this medicine. Pegaptanib is given through a shot into your eye. .

Precautions

Your doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks that you receive this medicine .

Serious eye problems may occur after treatment with this medicine. Check with your doctor immediately if your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, painful or develops a change in vision several days after your treatment.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

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

More common

  1. Bladder pain
  2. blindness
  3. bloody eye
  4. bloody or cloudy urine
  5. blurred vision
  6. burning, dry, or itching eyes
  7. cough producing mucus
  8. decreased vision or other changes in vision
  9. difficult, burning, or painful urination
  10. difficulty breathing
  11. discharge, excessive tearing
  12. disturbed color perception
  13. double vision
  14. drainage from eyes
  15. eye pain
  16. frequent urge to urinate
  17. gradual loss of vision
  18. halos around lights
  19. itching of eyelid
  20. looking through water
  21. lower back or side pain
  22. nausea
  23. night blindness
  24. overbright appearance of lights
  25. painful irritation of the clear front part of the eye
  26. redness, pain, swelling of eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid
  27. seeing flashes or sparks of light
  28. seeing floating spots before the eyes
  29. shortness of breath
  30. sore eyes
  31. swelling of the eye
  32. tightness in chest
  33. tunnel vision
  34. vomiting
  35. wheezing

Less Common

  1. Bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)
  2. change in vision not present before treatment
  3. chest pain
  4. confusion
  5. decrease in frequency of urination
  6. decrease in urine volume
  7. difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
  8. dizziness or lightheadedness
  9. dry mouth
  10. eye irritation
  11. fatigue
  12. feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
  13. flushed, dry skin
  14. fruit-like breath odor
  15. headache
  16. hearing loss
  17. inability to speak
  18. increased hunger
  19. increased sensitivity of eyes to light
  20. increased thirst
  21. increased urination
  22. loss of consciousness
  23. numbness or tingling in face, arms, or legs
  24. seeing floaters, veil or curtain appearing across part of vision
  25. seizures
  26. sensation of spinning
  27. severe or sudden headache
  28. slurred speech
  29. stomachache
  30. sweating
  31. temporary blindness
  32. trouble speaking, thinking, or walking
  33. troubled breathing
  34. unexplained weight loss
  35. weakness in arm and/or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe

Incidence not determined

  1. Difficulty swallowing
  2. fast heartbeat
  3. hives
  4. itching
  5. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  6. skin rash
  7. unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways 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

  1. Diarrhea

Less common

  1. Acid or sour stomach
  2. belching
  3. blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of skin
  4. bruise
  5. difficulty in moving
  6. heartburn
  7. indigestion
  8. itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, swelling of skin
  9. muscle pain or stiffness
  10. pain, swelling, or redness in joints
  11. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

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.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/pegaptanib-intraocular-route/description/DRG-20070848