DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Pegaptanib (peg-AP-ta-nib)
Brand Name: Macugen

Pegaptanib is used for:

Treating a certain eye problem known as neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Pegaptanib is a selective vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist. It works by blocking a protein in the eye to slow or stop wet AMD.

Do NOT use Pegaptanib if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Pegaptanib
• you have an infection in or around the eye

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Pegaptanib :

Some medical conditions may interact with Pegaptanib . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of glaucoma or other eye problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Pegaptanib . However, no specific interactions with Pegaptanib are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Pegaptanib may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Pegaptanib :

Use Pegaptanib as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Pegaptanib is administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
• If Pegaptanib contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Pegaptanib is for injection into the eye only.
• Do not shake forcefully.
• If you miss a dose of Pegaptanib , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Pegaptanib .

Important safety information:

• Pegaptanib may cause dizziness or vision changes. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Pegaptanib . Using Pegaptanib alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• If your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, or painful, or if you develop a change in vision, contact your eye doctor or health care provider immediately.
• Lab tests, including eye examinations and eye pressure measurements, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Pegaptanib with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Pegaptanib during pregnancy. It is unknown if Pegaptanib is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Pegaptanib , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Pegaptanib :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; minor eye irritation; nausea.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bleeding; blurred vision or other unusual changes in vision; chest pain; eye discharge; floaters, sparks, or lights in your vision; hearing loss; hoarseness; pain, redness, or swelling of your eye or eyelid; sensitivity to light.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Pegaptanib :

Store Pegaptanib in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Keep Pegaptanib out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Pegaptanib , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Pegaptanib is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Pegaptanib . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.