Advice

Following a full submission.

Pegaptanib for intravitreal injection (Macugen) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

It has been shown to reduce the rate of loss of visual acuity in patients with subfoveal neovascular AMD. Pegaptanib should be restricted to patients with visual acuity between 6/12 to 6/60 (inclusive) and should be stopped if visual acuity falls below 6/60 during treatment or where severe visual loss is experienced.

The cost effectiveness of pegaptanib in patients who are also receiving photodynamic therapy has, however, not been demonstrated.

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Medicine details

Medicine name:
Pegaptanib (Macugen)
SMC ID:
290/06
Indication:
Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration
Pharmaceutical company
Pfizer Ltd
BNF chapter
Eye
Submission type
Full
Status
Superseded
Date advice published
07 August 2006