Retisert
Generic name:fluocinolone ophthalmic implant [ FLOO-oh-SIN-oh-lone-off-THAL-mik-IM-plant ]
Drug class:Ophthalmic steroids
What is Retisert?
Retisert is an ophthalmic implant containing fluocinolone. Fluocinolone is a steroid medicine. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.
Retisert ophthalmic implant is used to treat non-infectious posterior uveitis, inflammation that affects the back of the eye.
Retisert slowly releases fluocinolone into the eye over a period of approximately 30 months.
Warnings
You should not be treated with Retisert if you have glaucoma, or any type of infection in or around your eye (including herpes).
The Retisert implant is surgically placed into the eye. If both eyes will be treated, the implants will most likely be placed at two separate times, to decrease your risk of infection in both eyes at the same time.
Do not use any eye medications that your doctor has not prescribed. Retisert can cause dizziness or blurred vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
For the first 1 to 4 weeks after receiving the implant, you may have a temporary decrease in vision. Call your doctor if your vision does not return to normal after 4 weeks. Retisert will not correct vision problems (such as near-sightedness or far-sightedness) that you had before receiving the implant.
The placement of the implant may increase your risk of developing cataracts and eventually needing cataract surgery. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.
Before taking this medicine
You should not be treated with Retisert if you are allergic to fluocinolone, or if you have:
glaucoma; or
any type of infection in or around your eye.
The use of Retisert may increase your risk of developing cataracts and eventually needing cataract surgery. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.
To make sure the Retisert implant is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
glaucoma;
herpes simplex;
cataract surgery; or
a detached retina.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether fluocinolone contained in an implant is harmful to an unborn baby if you use the implant while you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during the 30 months after you receive the implant.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using fluocinolone. Ask your doctor about any risk.
How is the Retisert ophthalmic implant put into place?
A healthcare provider will surgically place the Retisert implant in your eye. If b...
