What Is Pegaptanib Used For? (Cont.)

How Does Pegaptanib Work?

Age-related wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal blood vessel growth in the back of the eye. The blood vessels grow behind the retina, underneath the macula (a part of the retina that is essential for detailed vision). These new blood vessels are not normal and are weak and prone to leaking. Leaking causes damage to the macula, which causes "wet" macular degeneration.
 
Pegaptanib is a molecule that is designed to bind to and inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a naturally occurring protein that encourages the growth of new blood vessels (including abnormal blood vessels). By binding to VEGF, pegaptanib prevents this protein from encouraging new blood vessel growth. This helps to slow down (or even reverse) vision loss and macular damage.
 

Is Pegaptanib Used in Children?

Pegaptanib is not approved for use in children. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in children.
 

Is Pegaptanib Used for Off-Label Reasons?

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend pegaptanib for treating something other than the condition listed in this article. Currently, there are no universally accepted off-label uses for pegaptanib.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;