Pegaptanib Sodium Injection

• Pegaptanib

Pegaptanib is a drug that is used for treating an eye condition called age-related wet macular degeneration. This eMedTV resource discusses the effects of pegaptanib, describes how it works, and explains what you should know before using the drug.

• Side Effects of Pegaptanib

Common side effects of pegaptanib may include high blood pressure, cataracts, and specks in your vision. This eMedTV page describes other common side effects of the drug and lists potentially serious side effects that may require medical attention.

• What Is Pegaptanib Used For?

Pegaptanib is used for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. This article from the eMedTV archives discusses how pegaptanib can help slow down vision loss and macular damage, and explains whether the drug can be used in children.

• Pegaptanib Dosing

Your dose of pegaptanib will be administered through an injection into the affected eye or eyes. As this eMedTV segment explains, while pegaptanib dosing varies from person to person, most people start with a dosage of 0.3 mg, taken every six weeks.

• Drug Interactions With Pegaptanib

Since pegaptanib is injected into the eye, very little of the drug reaches the bloodstream. As this eMedTV page explains, drug interactions with pegaptanib are unlikely because the rest of the body is exposed to very low amounts of the medication.

• Precautions and Warnings With Pegaptanib

Retinal detachment is a rare but possible complication that may occur with pegaptanib injections. This eMedTV article lists other precautions and warnings with pegaptanib and explains what you should tell your doctor before starting the medication.