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RETISERT® (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.59 mg is a sterile implant designed to release fluocinolone acetonide locally to the posterior segment of the eye at a nominal initial rate of 0.6 μg/day, decreasing over the first month to a steady state between 0.3-0.4 μg/day over approximately 30 months. The drug substance is the synthetic corticosteroid fluocinolone acetonide, represented by the following structural formula:
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Chemical Name: Pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione,6,9-difluoro-11,21-dihydroxy- 16,17-[(1-methyl-ethylidene)bis(oxy)],(6α,11β ,16α)-.
Fluocinolone acetonide is a white crystalline powder, insoluble in water, and soluble in methanol. It has a melting point of 265-266°C.
Each RETISERT consists of a tablet containing 0.59 mg of the active ingredient, Fluocinolone Acetonide, USP, and the following inactives: microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, and magnesium stearate.
RETISERT® is indicated for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye.
RETISERT is implanted into the posterior segment of the affected eye through a pars plana incision.
The implant contains one tablet of 0.59 mg of fluocinolone acetonide. RETISERT is designed to release fluocinolone acetonide at a nominal initial rate of 0.6 mcg/day, decreasing over the first month to a steady state between 0.3-0.4 mcg/day over approximately 30 months. Following depletion of fluocinolone acetonide as evidenced by recurrence of uveitis, RETISERT may be replaced.
Caution should be exercised in handling RETISERT in order to avoid damage to the implant, which may result in an increased rate of drug release from the implant. Thus, RETISERT should be handled only by the suture tab. Care should be taken during implantation and explantation to avoid sheer forces on the implant that could disengage the silicone cup reservoir (which contains a fluocinolone acetonide tablet) from the suture tab. Aseptic technique should be maintained at all times prior to and during the surgical implantation procedure.
RETISERT should not be resterilized by any method.
0.59 mg fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant.
The implant consists of a tablet encased in a silicone elastomer cup containing a release orifice and a polyvinyl alcohol membrane positioned between the tablet and the orifice. The silicone elastomer cup assembly is attached to a silicone elastomer suture tab with silicone adhesive. Each RETISERT is approximately 3 mm x 2 mm x 5 mm.
Each implant is stored in a clear polycarbonate case within a foil pouch within a Tyvek peelable overwrap. Each packaged implant is provided in a carton which includes the package insert.
NDC 24208-416-01 0.59 mg 1 count
Store in the original container at 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Protect from freezing.
Manufactured for: Bausch & Lomb Americas Inc, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 USA. Manufactured by: Bausch + Lomb Ireland Limited, Waterford, Ireland. Revised: Apr 2025
The available safety data includes exposure to RETISERT in patients with chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment in two multicenter controlled clinical trials. Patients were randomized to dosage regimens of 0.59 mg or 2.1 mg implants.
The most frequently reported ocular adverse events were cataract, increased intraocular pressure, procedural complication, and eye pain. These events occurred in approximately 50 - 90% of patients. Cataract includes aggravated cataract, and posterior capsular opacification. Procedural complications includes post-op complication, post-op wound complication, post-op wound site erythema, and wound dehiscense.
Based on clinical trials with RETISERT, during the 3-year post-implantation period, nearly all phakic eyes are expected to develop cataracts and require cataract surgery. IOP lowering medications to lower intraocular pressure were required in approximately 77% of patients; filtering surgeries were required to control intraocular pressure in 37% of patients. Ocular adverse events occurring in approximately 10 - 40% of patients in decreasing order of incidence were ocular/conjunctival hyperemia, reduced visual acuity, glaucoma, conjunctival hemorrhage, blurred vision, abnormal sensation in the eye, eye irritation, maculopathy, vitreous floaters, hypotony, pruritus, ptosis, increased tearing, vitreous hemorrhage, dry eye, eyelid edema, macular edema and visual disturbance.
Ocular adverse events occurring in approximately 5 - 9% of patients in decreasing order of incidence were eye discharge, photophobia, blepharitis, corneal edema, iris adhesions, choroidal detachment, diplopia, eye swelling, retinal detachment, photopsia, retinal hemorrhage and hyphema.
The most frequently reported non-ocular adverse event was headache (33%). Other non-ocular adverse events occurring in approximately 5-20% of patients in decreasing order of incidence were nasopharyngitis, arthralgia, sinusitis, dizziness, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, influenza, vomiting, nausea, cough, back pain, limb pain, and rash.
No Information provided
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Use of corticosteroids may result in posterior subcapsular cataract formation. Based on clinical trials with RETISERT, during the 3-year post-implantation period, nearly all phakic eyes are expected to develop cataracts and require cataract surgery.
Late onset endophthalmitis has been observed. These events are often related to the integrity of the surgical wound site. Careful attention to assure tight closure of the scleral wound and the integrity of the overlying conjunctiva at the wound site is important.
Potential complications accompanying intraocular surgery to place RETISERT into the vitreous cavity may include, but are not limited to, the following: cataract formation, choroidal detachment, endophthalmitis, hypotony, increased intraocular pressure, exacerbation of intraocular inflammation, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, vitreous loss, and wound dehiscence.
Following implantation of RETISERT, nearly all patients will experience an immediate and temporary decrease in visual acuity in the implanted eye which lasts for approximately one to four weeks post-operatively.
Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in elevated IOP and/or glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. Steroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. Patients must be monitored for elevated IOP.
Based on clinical trials with RETISERT, within 3-years post-implantation, approximately 77% of patients will require IOP lowering medications to control intraocular pressure and 37% of patients will require filtering procedures to control intraocular pressure [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
In vitro stability studies show that the strength of the adhesive bond between the silicone cup reservoir and the suture tab is reduced with prolonged hydration, indicating a potential for the separation of these components. The suture tab composition is a silicone elastomer reinforced with a polyester mesh. Physicians should periodically monitor the integrity of the implant by visual inspection.
RETISERT should be used with caution in patients with a history of a viral, bacterial, mycobacterial or fungal infection of the cornea and conjunctiva including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia and varicella. Use of ocular steroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex). Employment of a corticosteroid medication in the treatment of patients with a history of herpes simplex requires great caution.
Prolonged use of corticosteroids may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections (bacterial, fungal, and viral). In acute purulent conditions of the eye, steroids may mask infection or enhance existing infection. Fungal and viral infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with longterm application of steroids. The possibility of fungal invasion should be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where steroid treatment has been used.
Since resistance to infections is known to be reduced by corticosteroids, simultaneous bilateral implantation should not be carried out, in order to limit the potential for bilateral post-operative infection.
Ocular administration of corticosteroids has also been associated with delayed wound healing and perforation of the globe where there is thinning of the sclera.
The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation.
Long-term animal studies have not been performed to determine the carcinogenic potential or the effect on fertility of RETISERT.
Fluocinolone acetonide was not genotoxic in vitro in the Ames test (S. typhimurium and E. coli), the mouse lymphoma TK assay, or in vivo in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay.
Adequate and well-controlled studies with RETISERT have not been conducted in pregnant women to inform drugassociated risk. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with RETISERT. It is not known whether RETISERT can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. RETISERT should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
There are no data on the presence of RETISERT in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Systemically administered corticosteroids are present in human milk and can suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other unwanted effects. Clinical or nonclinical lactation studies have not been conducted with RETISERT.
It is not known whether intravitreal treatment with RETISERT could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities of fluocinolone acetonide in human milk, or affect breastfed infants or milk production.
The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for RETISERT and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from RETISERT or from the underlying maternal condition.
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 12 years have not been established.
No overall differences in safety and effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.
No Information provided
Surgical placement of RETISERT is contraindicated in active viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in active bacterial, mycobacterial or fungal infections of the eye.
Corticosteroids inhibit the inflammatory response to a variety of inciting agents and probably delay or slow healing. They inhibit the edema, fibrin deposition, capillary dilation, leukocyte migration, capillary proliferation, fibroblast proliferation, deposition of collagen, and scar formation associated with inflammation.
There is no generally accepted explanation for the mechanism of action of ocular corticosteroids. However, corticosteroids are thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins. It is postulated that these proteins control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2. Corticosteroids are capable of producing a rise in intraocular pressure.
In a subset of patients who received the intravitreal implant, and had blood samples taken at various times (weeks 1, 4 and 34) after implantation, plasma levels of fluocinolone acetonide were below the limit of detection (0.2 ng/mL) at all times. Aqueous and vitreous humor samples were assayed for fluocinolone acetonide in a further subset of patients. While detectable concentrations of fluocinolone acetonide were seen throughout the observation interval (up to 34 months), the concentrations were highly variable, ranging from below the limit of detection (0.2 ng/mL) to 589 ng/mL.
In two randomized, double-masked, multicenter controlled clinical trials, 224 patients with chronic (a one year or greater history) non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of one or both eyes were randomized to receive a 0.59 mg RETISERT. The primary efficacy endpoint in both trials was the rate of recurrence of uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the study eye in the 34 week pre-implantation period compared to the rate of recurrence in the 34 week postimplantation period. Uveitis recurrence rates at 1, 2, and 3 year post-implantation were also compared to the 34 week preimplantation period.
Detailed results are shown in Table 1 below:
Table 1: Uveitis Recurrence Rates
| TIME POINT | STUDY 1 N=108 |
STUDY 2 N=116 |
| Uveitis Recurrence Rates1,2 N (%) | ||
| 34 Weeks Preimplantation | 58 (53.7) | 46 (39.7) |
| 34 Weeks Postimplantation | 2 (1.8) | 15 (12.9) |
| 1 Year Post-implantation | 4 (3.7) | 15 (12.9) |
| 2 Years Post-implantation | 11 (10.2) | 16 (13.8) |
| 3 Years Post-implantation | 22 (20.4) | 20 (17.2) |
| 3 Years3 Postimplantation | 33 (30.6) | 28 (24.1) |
| 1 Recurrence of uveitis for all post-implantation time points was compared to the 34 weeks pre-implantation time point. 2 p-value <0.01 from McNemar’s χ2 test. 3 Results presented include imputed recurrences. Recurrences were imputed when a subject was not seen within 10 weeks of their final scheduled visit. |
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In assessing the effect of RETISERT on the corneal endothelial cell density in eyes that have been implanted for a minimum of 1 year, the results indicate that eyes containing the RETISERT implant for an average of 3.54 years had a lower mean corneal endothelial cell density (mean paired difference of -435 cells/mm²) compared with non-implanted eyes (p<0.01).
Patients should be advised to have ophthalmologic follow-up examinations of both eyes at appropriate intervals following implantation of RETISERT.
As with any surgical procedure, there is risk involved. Potential complications accompanying intraocular surgery to place RETISERT into the vitreous cavity may include, but are not limited to, the following: cataract formation, choroidal detachment, temporary decreased visual acuity, endophthalmitis, hypotony, increased intraocular pressure, exacerbation of intraocular inflammation, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, vitreous loss, and wound dehiscence.
Following implantation of RETISERT, nearly all patients will experience an immediate and temporary decrease in visual acuity in the implanted eye which lasts for approximately one to four weeks post-operatively.
Based on clinical trials with RETISERT, within 3 years post-implantation, approximately 77% of patients will require IOP lowering medications to control intraocular pressure and 37% of patients will require filtering procedures to control intraocular pressure [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Based on clinical trials with RETISERT, during the 3-year post-implantation period, nearly all phakic eyes are expected to develop cataracts and require cataract surgery.
