Lucentis® Prefilled Syringe for Retinal Conditions

What Lucentis® Is and How It Works

Lucentis® (ranibizumab) is an anti-VEGF treatment for retinal diseases that cause fluid leakage and abnormal blood vessel growth. The Lucentis Prefilled Syringe delivers a single intravitreal dose that a retina specialist administers in a clinic. Many patients compare Lucentis Prefilled Syringe cost without insurance when budgeting care. YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba; prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing.

Ranibizumab blocks vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). This reduces vascular leakage and neovascularization in the retina and choroid. It is used for neovascular (wet) age-related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Macular Edema, Diabetic Retinopathy, macular edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion, and myopic choroidal neovascularization. The prefilled syringe is single-use and sterile. The treating ophthalmologist selects the strength and dosing interval based on diagnosis and response.

Ordering brand therapies at Canadian prices helps keep care accessible. We work with licensed, vetted international partner pharmacies so you receive authentic brands, a broad selection, and competitive pricing.

Dosage and Usage

• Administration: Intravitreal injection by an ophthalmologist or retina specialist only. Not for self-injection.
• Typical schedules: Often every 4 weeks at the start, then a treat-and-extend plan when the retina is dry and vision stable. Intervals vary by condition and clinical findings.
• Condition-based notes: Wet AMD and RVO usually start with monthly injections. DME/DR may use monthly dosing initially, then extend if the response is maintained.
• Clinic visit steps: The eye is numbed with anesthetic drops. The lids and surface are cleaned with antiseptic. The injection is placed through the white of the eye, and eye pressure is checked.
• After injection: Vision may blur for a short time. Report increasing eye pain, worsening vision, new floaters, light sensitivity, or discharge promptly.
• Missed appointment: Call the eye clinic to reschedule as soon as possible. Do not attempt to use the syringe yourself.
• Product handling in clinic: The clinician inspects, prepares, and injects the prefilled syringe using sterile technique.

• Storage: Keep refrigerated at 2–8 °C (36–46 °F). Do not freeze. Protect from light. Keep in the original carton.
• Do not shake the syringe. Do not use if the package is damaged, the solution is cloudy, or particles are visible.
• Travel to appointments: Use an insulated container with cold packs to maintain 2–8 °C. Do not place the syringe in direct contact with ice. Avoid heat and direct sunlight.
• Clinic preparation: Allow the syringe to reach room temperature at the clinic only, per the specialist’s handling procedures.
• Single-use only: Do not reuse. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Shipping: We ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling to protect product integrity.

Benefits and Savings

Lucentis® helps reduce retinal swelling, improves or stabilizes vision, and can slow disease activity. The prefilled syringe simplifies clinic workflow and reduces preparation time compared with vials. Treat-and-extend approaches can reduce the number of visits once the retina is stable.

Buying from Canada can offer meaningful savings. Many patients save 60–80% versus typical US prices, which can be helpful for those paying without insurance. You can set reorder reminders in your account, and multi-month planning or bulk promotions may lower your average monthly cost.

To see current offers, visit our promotions page for a Lucentis Prefilled Syringe coupon.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common effects: eye pain or discomfort, redness, conjunctival hemorrhage, feeling of a foreign body, light sensitivity, increased tearing or dryness, floaters, and temporary blurred vision.
• Transient intraocular pressure rise after injection may occur and is usually monitored in clinic.
• Mild inflammation or irritation can occur and often resolves with care guided by the specialist.

Serious risks include endophthalmitis (severe eye infection), retinal detachment or tear, significant intraocular inflammation, sustained pressure elevation, cataract, and rare arterial thromboembolic events (stroke or heart attack). Lucentis® is contraindicated in active ocular or periocular infections and in patients with known hypersensitivity to its components. Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding requires careful risk–benefit discussion. Avoid driving or operating machinery until vision clears after injections.

Onset Time

Some patients notice improvement in vision or a reduction in retinal fluid within the first 1–2 injections. Others need a full loading phase of monthly injections to see a clear change. In DME, vision gains may emerge over 3–6 months as edema recedes. RVO-related edema often improves during the initial series. Long-term maintenance aims to keep the retina dry while gradually extending the interval if stability persists.

Compare With Alternatives

Aflibercept (Eylea) is another anti-VEGF option often dosed every 4 weeks initially, then every 8 weeks or longer in maintenance phases. Some patients respond better to one agent than another based on disease features and prior treatment history.

Faricimab (Vabysmo) targets VEGF-A and Ang-2 and may allow extended intervals (8–16 weeks) after a loading phase for some conditions. This can help reduce visit burden when the retina remains dry.

Bevacizumab (Avastin) is used off-label in retinal disease and may be chosen for cost reasons in certain settings. For those preferring the same molecule in a different format, consider the Lucentis® Vial, which clinics prepare from a multi-use container under sterile conditions.

Learn more about conditions treated with anti-VEGF therapy in our resources on Macular Degeneration and Retinal Vein Occlusion. For eye health tips, read Healthy Vision Month Protect Your Eyes Today.

Combination Therapy

• Laser photocoagulation may be combined with anti-VEGF therapy for select cases of DME or branch retinal vein occlusion.
• Steroid implants or injections can be considered when inflammation contributes to edema, balancing cataract and pressure risks.
• Switching between anti-VEGF agents or alternating agents may be used if response plateaus.
• Dose intervals are adjusted by the specialist to sustain retinal dryness while minimizing visit burden.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include adults diagnosed with wet AMD, DME, DR, macular edema after RVO, or myopic CNV, as confirmed by a retina specialist. It is not suitable for those with an active eye infection, significant intraocular inflammation, or prior severe hypersensitivity to ranibizumab components. Caution is advised in patients with recent stroke, uncontrolled glaucoma, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Plan ahead to reduce costs and avoid treatment gaps. Use your account to set gentle reorder reminders. Consider a multi-month plan if the treatment schedule is stable, and ask about bulk promotions to decrease your per-month expense. These steps are useful for patients paying without insurance.

Authoritative Sources

Novartis Canada Lucentis product page

Health Canada Product Monograph for Lucentis

FDA Prescribing Information for Lucentis

Order Lucentis® from Youdrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from your qualified healthcare professional. Always follow the treatment plan provided by your eye specialist.