Iluvien

Iluvien is a prescription medication used to treat diabetic macular edema (a condition where fluid builds up in a part of the eye called the macula) in patients who have previously tried a course of corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medications) and did not have a significant increase in eye pressure. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Iluvien. See the “Iluvien Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Iluvien include the following:

• development of cataracts 
• eye "floaters" 
• eye pain
• increased pressure in the eye
• eye irritation

This is not a complete list of Iluvien side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

The Iluvien implant is available as one dose, 0.19 mg. It is injected into the eye once and the implant slowly releases the drug over 36 months.

If Iluvien is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

Since the fluocinolone implant contains a specific amount of the medication, you are not likely to receive an overdose.

In the U.S.

• Iluvien
• Retisert

Available Dosage Forms:

• Implant

Therapeutic Class: Corticosteroid, Intermediate

Pharmacologic Class: Fluocinolone

Your eye doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks after you receive this medicine.

Serious eye problems may occur after receiving this medicine. Check with your eye doctor right away if you have a change in vision or the eye becomes red, sensitive to light, or painful.

Cataracts may occur after receiving this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, decreased vision, or loss of vision.

This medicine may cause temporary blurred vision. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well.

This implant could move into a different part of your eye if the back part of your lens is missing or torn. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.
• Eye redness.
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
• If bright lights bother your eyes.
• Feeling very tired or weak.

• If you need to store this medicine at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Applies to fluocinolone ophthalmic: intraocular implant

Along with its needed effects, fluocinolone ophthalmic (the active ingredient contained in Iluvien) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking fluocinolone ophthalmic:

• Blindness
• bloody eye
• blurred vision
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• change in color vision
• decreased vision
• difficulty seeing at night
• discharge or excessive tearing
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• seeing flashes or sparks of light
• seeing floating spots before the eyes, or a veil or curtain appearing across part of vision

Some side effects of fluocinolone ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Feeling of having something in the eye