Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Iluvien
What is ILUVIEN® used for?
ILUVIEN® is used to treat vision loss due to diabetic macular oedema. ILUVIEN® is suitable for diabetic macular oedema patients who were treated with prior corticosteroids.
Diabetic macular oedema is a condition that affects some people with diabetes. This can cause damage to the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye (macula), affecting your vision.
How does ILUVIEN® work?
ILUVIEN® contains a corticosteroid (fluocinolone acetonide). When implanted, ILUVIEN® helps to reduce the inflammation and the swelling that builds up in the back of the eye (macula). This can help improve the damaged vision or stop it from getting worse.
What are the ingredients in ILUVIEN®?
Medicinal ingredients: Fluocinolone acetonide.
Non-medicinal ingredients: Polyimide tube, polyvinyl alcohol and silicone adhesive.
ILUVIEN® comes in the following dosage forms:
ILUVIEN® is a small implant given by injection into the eye by your healthcare professional.
Do not use ILUVIEN® if:
- You have an infection (bacterial, viral or fungal) in or around your eye.
- You are allergic (hypersensitivity) to any of the ingredients in ILUVIEN® or to other corticosteroids.
- You have high pressure (glaucoma) in your eye.
- Your eyes are without natural or artificial lens (aphakic eyes), with a rupture of your lens. Ask your healthcare professional if you are not sure if you have this condition.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take ILUVIEN®. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if:
- You have had a herpes simplex infection in your eye (an ulcer on the eye that has been there a long time, or sores on the eye).
You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- You are breast feeding or planning to breast feed.
- You had recent eye surgery, or plan to have one.
- You are taking any medication to thin the blood.
Other warnings you should know about:
Driving and Operating Machinery
After the injection, you are likely to have blurred vision and temporary deceased in vision acuity. Do not drive or operate machinery until you can see clearly again. If you have any concerns about how well you can see, talk to your doctor to have your eyes tested.
Eye Pressure (Glaucoma)
ILUVIEN® may increase the pressure or cause inflammation in your eye after the injection. Your healthcare provider might monitor this after your injection. Tell your doctor if you experience any signs of increased pressure or inflammation after receiving ILUVIEN®. See “What are the possible side effects from using ILUVIEN®?”
Infection
ILUVIEN® may increase your chance of getting an infection in or around your eye. Talk to your healthcare provider if you think you may have an eye infection.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with ILUVIEN®:
- medication to thin the blood (anti-coagulant or anti-platelet).
How to take ILUVIEN®:
The ILUVIEN® injection will be given by your doctor.
Usual dose:
The usual dose is one implant to be given by injection into your eye. The corticosteroid in ILUVIEN® is slowly released into your eye over approximately 3 years.
Overdose:
Given that ILUVIEN® will be implanted by your healthcare professional, it is unlikely that overdose could occur.
| If you are having suspecting and overdose, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
What are possible side effects from using ILUVIEN®?
These are not all the possible side effects that you may feel when taking ILUVIEN®. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Very common
- Eye pain or increased discomfort
- A feeling of spots in front of the eye (called floaters)
Common
- Blurred or decreased vision (difficulties in seeing clearly)
- Swelling of the eye lids or on the surface of the eye
- Irritation of the eye (itching, feeling there is ‘something’ in the eye)
- Redness (inflammation) of the eye
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Dry eye
- Headache
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
VERY COMMON Clouding of the lens (cataract) and cataract surgery | X | ||
| Increased pressure in the eye | X | ||
COMMON Bleeding into the inside of the eye | X | ||
RARE Inflammation of the tissues inside the eye (endophthalmitis) which may include a blurred or decreased vision, pain, increasing redness or swelling, ocular discharge and/or increased sensibility to light. | X | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store at 15 - 30°C.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about ILUVIEN®:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website; the manufacturer’s website medinfo@gudknight.com, or by calling 1-844-483-5636.