What is Macugen used for?

Macugen is used to treat adults with an eye problem called the wet form (neovascular) of age-related macular degeneration.  Macular degeneration causes vision loss leading to blindness.

Who should not be treated with Macugen? 

Do not use Macugen if you have an infection in or around your eye

Special Warning(s) with Macugen:  

Call your eye doctor right away if your eye becomes red, sensitivity to light, painful or you have changes in vision.  Macugen can cause a serious eye inflammation called endophthalmitis in the days following an injection.

General Precautions with Macugen:

• Your eye doctor should only inject one eye at a time with Macugen.

• Your eye doctor should monitor your eye for increased pressure and signs of infection right after each Macugen injection and during the week after each injection.

What should I tell my health care provider?

Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, are trying to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

What are some possible side effects of Macugen? (This list is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Macugen.  Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.) 

 The most common side effects with Macugen include:

• inflammation of the eye

• blurred vision or changes in vision

• cataracts

• bleeding in the eye

• swelling of the eye

• eye discharge

• irritation or discomfort of the eye

• eye pain

• seeing "spots" in your vision

For more detailed information about Macugen, ask your health care provider or pharmacist.