fluocinolone intravitreal implant

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum 

• As a corticosteroid, fluocinolone works by lowering eye inflammation. It has strong immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties.  
• The chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior region of the eye is the main indication for the use of the fluocinolone intravitreal implant. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency defined  

>10%  

For Yutiq only 

Reduced visual acuity (15%) 

Cataract (56%) 

Macular edema (11%)  

>10%  

For Iluvien only 

Eye pain (15%) 

Anemia (11%) 

Conjunctival haemorrhage (13%) 

Cataract (82%) 

Myodesopsia (21%) 

>10%  

10-40%  

For Retisert only 

Headache (33%) 

Eyelid edema and macula edema 

Glaucoma 

Dry eye 

Conjunctival and vitreous hemorrhage 

Eye irritation 

Maculopathy 

Increased tearing 

Pruritus 

Ocular/conjunctival hyperemia 

Abnormal sensation in the eye 

Vitreous floaters 

Hypotony 

Ptosis 

Reduced visual acuity, blurred vision and visual disturbance  

1-10%  

5-9%  

For Retisert only 

Blepharitis 

Retinal hemorrhage 

Hyphema 

Corneal edema 

Photopsia 

Diplopia 

Eye swelling 

Iris adhesions 

Choroidal detachment 

Retinal detachment 

Eye discharge 

Photophobia 

1-10%  

For Iluvien only 

Posterior capsule opacification (9%) 

Ocular discomfort (2%) 

Retinal exudates (2%) 

Eye irritation (8%) 

Ocular hyperemia (3%) 

Eye pruritus (3%) 

Headache (9%)  

Photophobia (2%) 

Foreign body sensation in eyes (3%) 

Optic atrophy (2%) 

Pneumonia (7%)  

Anterior chamber cell (2%) 

Eye discharge (2%) 

Corneal oedema (4%) 

Renal failure (9%) 

Conjunctivitis (4%) 

Vitreous detachment (7%) 

1-10%  

For Yutiq only 

Eye pain (8%) 

Hypotony of eye (7%) 

Visual field defect (1%) 

Lacrimation increased (1%) 

Arthralgia (2%) 

Iridocyclitis (1%) 

Uveitis (10%) 

Conjunctival hemorrhage (8%) 

Conjunctivitis (4%) 

Vitreous hemorrhage (2%) 

Eye inflammation (1%) 

Vitreous haze (3%) 

Choroiditis (1%) 

Vitreous floaters (3%) 

Hypertension (3%) 

Anterior chamber inflammation (5%) 

Eye irritation (1%) 

Foreign body sensation in eyes (3%) 

Vitreitis (3%) 

Posterior capsule opacification (4%) 

Ocular hyperemia (4%) 

Macular fibrosis (2%) 

Photopsia (2%) 

Eye pruritus (3%) 

Glaucoma (2%) 

Ocular discomfort (2%) 

Vitreous opacities (4%) 

Conjunctival hyperemia (2%) 

Nasopharyngitis (5%) 

Dry eye (4%) 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning 

None

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindication: 

• The implant should not be used in the presence of active infections in or around the eye. 
• If a patient has glaucoma or a history of elevated intraocular pressure, the implant may not be recommended due to the potential for further increases in intraocular pressure. 
• Individuals who have a known hypersensitivity or allergy to fluocinolone or any of the components of the implant should avoid its use. 

Caution: 

• Monitor for endophthalmitis, increased intraocular pressure, eye inflammation and retinal detachments. 
• Risk of postoperative infections in both eyes may be reduced by unilateral implantation. 
• Long-term use of corticosteroids raises intraocular pressure, which can lead to glaucoma and affect the optic nerve, vision fields, and visual acuity. 
• It is not advised to take corticosteroids if you have had ocular herpes simplex in the past. 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration:     

Pregnancy category: N/A 

Lactation: Excretion into human milk is unknown  

Pregnancy Categories:         

Category A: well-controlled and Satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester. 

Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.  

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women. 

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits. 

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women. 

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology  

fluocinolone intravitreal implant reduces inflammation by blocking several inflammatory cytokines, which reduces edema, fibrin deposition, capillary leakage, and inflammatory cell migration. 

Pharmacodynamics 

The action of corticosteroids is believed to include the inhibition of phospholipase A2 through the production of inhibitory proteins known as lipocortin.  

By preventing the release of arachidonic acid, it is believed that these proteins regulate the manufacture of powerful inflammatory mediators (such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes). 

Pharmacokinetics 

Absorption   

The drug is absorbed by the ocular tissues and targeting the site of inflammation within the eye.   

Distribution 

fluocinolone intravitreal implant distributes within the ocular tissues. 

Metabolism 

It undergoes hepatic metabolism in the body.  

Elimination and excretion 

fluocinolone intravitreal implant and its metabolites are excreted through the kidneys via urine elimination. 

Adminstartion

Administration 

fluocinolone intravitreal implant is inserted into the vitreous gel of eye.

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: fluocinolone intravitreal implant 

Why do we use fluocinolone intravitreal implant? 

fluocinolone intravitreal implant is indicated for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. fluocinolone intravitreal implant is usually used for the treatment of certain ocular conditions that involve inflammation within the eye.