Diabetic Retinopathy Drug Summary

Last updated: 04 November 2025

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Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets & Fibrinolytics (Thrombolytics)



Drug Available Strength Dosage Remarks
Sulodexide 250 LSU/cap  1-2 cap PO 12 hourly
May increase dose up to 4 cap PO 12 hourly          
Adverse Reactions
  • Cap: GI effects (nausea/vomiting, epigastralgia, diarrhea)
  • Injection: Pain, burn and hematoma at injection site 
Special Instructions
  • Cap: Take on an empty stomach
  • Contraindicated in patients with diathesis and hemorrhagic diseases
  • Monitor hemocoagulative parameters regularly
300 LSU/mL injection
600 LSU/mL injection
2 mL IM/IV 24 hourly 

Dyslipidemic Agents


Drug Available Strength Dosage Remarks
Fenofibrate 145 mg/tab

1 tab PO 24 hourly

Adverse Reactions

  • GI effects (abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence); Other effects (increased homocysteine levels, increased transaminases)
Special Instructions
  • Contraindicated in patients with hepatic and kidney impairment, galactose and fructose intolerance, concomitant use with HMG CoA reductase inhibitors
  • Monitor transaminase and creatinine levels regularly 

Eye Corticosteroids


Drug Available Strength Dosage Remarks
Dexamethasone 0.7 mg ophthalmic injection implant

0.7 mg intravitreal injection 

Adverse Reactions

  • Ocular effects (increased intraocular pressure [IOP], conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, conjunctival hyperemia, ocular hypertension, cataract, vitreous detachment); CV effect (hypertension)
Special Instructions
  • Contraindicated in patients with advanced glaucoma and active or suspected ocular or periocular infections including most viral disease of the cornea and conjunctiva including active ocular herpes simplex and fungal diseases
  • Prior to administration, adequate anesthesia and a broad spectrum antibiotic should have been given to the patient
  • Monitor signs of infection (eg endophthalmitis) for a week after administration
Fluocinolone 0.19 mg ocular implant

0.19 mg intravitreal injection in affected eye 

Adverse Reactions

  • Ocular effects (cataract, increased IOP, eye pain, abnormal sensation in eyes, blepharoptosis, blurred vision, decreased visual acuity, eyelid edema, macular edema, conjunctival hemorrhage, vitreous opacity, glaucoma, vitreous hemorrhage, lacrimation); CNS effects (dizziness, headache); GI effects (nausea/vomiting) 
Special Instructions
  • Not recommended for concurrent administration to both eyes
  • Contraindicated in patients with advanced glaucoma and active or suspected ocular or periocular infections including most viral disease of the cornea and conjunctiva including active ocular herpes simplex and fungal diseases
  • Monitor signs of infection (eg endophthalmitis) for a week after administration

Other Cardiovascular Drugs


Drug Available Strength Dosage Remarks
Calcium dobesilate  500 mg/cap

Initial dose: 500-2,000 mg PO 24 hourly
Maintenance dose:
1,000 mg 24 hourly 

Adverse Reactions

  • GI effects (nausea, diarrhea); Other effects (skin rash, fever, joint and muscle pain, headache) 
Special Instructions
  • Take with food
  • Use with caution in patients with severe renal insufficiency

Other Eye Preparations


Drug Available Strength Dosage Remarks
Aflibercept 40 mg/mL ophthalmic injection solution 

2 mg intravitreal injection/month x 5 consecutive doses followed by 2 mg intravitreal injection every 2 months
Treatment interval may be extended after the first 12 months based on visual and/or anatomic outcomes

Adverse Reactions

  • Ocular effects (conjunctival/vitreous hemorrhage, reduced visual acuity, eye pain, increased IOP, cataract, vitreous detachment, vitreous floaters, retinal pigment epithelial tear, detachment of retinal pigment epithelium, retinal degeneration, corneal erosion/abrasion, foreign body sensation in eyes, increased lacrimation, eyelid edema, punctate keratitis, conjunctival and ocular hyperemia) 
Special Instructions
  • Contraindicated in patients with active or suspected ocular or periocular infection and active severe intraocular inflammation
  • Avoid injection if IOP ≥30 mmHg
  • Avoid use in patients with clinical signs of irreversible ischemic visual function loss
  • Use with caution in patients with history of stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or myocardial infarction (MI) within the last 6 months, endophthalmitis, risk factors for retinal pigment epithelial tears
  • Withhold dose 28 days from performed ocular surgery or before planned ocular surgery
  • Monitor IOP, optic nerve perfusion, visual acuity
  • Monitor signs of infection (eg endophthalmitis) for a week after administration
Ranibizumab 10 mg/mL ophthalmic injection solution

0.5 mg intravitreal injection/month x 3 consecutive months or until visual acuity is stable 

Adverse Reactions

  • Ocular effects (increased IOP, conjunctival hemorrhage, vitreous floaters, eye pain, ocular hyperemia, vitritis, vitreous detachment, retinal hemorrhage, visual disturbance, eye irritation, foreign body sensation in eyes, increased lacrimation, blepharitis, dry eye, eye pruritus); Renal effect (UTI); Other effects (headache, nasopharyngitis, arthralgia)
Special Instructions
  • Contraindicated in patients with active or suspected ocular or periocular infection and active severe intraocular inflammation 
  • Use with caution in patients with history of stroke or TIA 
  • Monitor visual acuity monthly
  • Avoid giving concurrently with other VEGF-A inhibitors
  • Prior to administration, adequate anesthesia and a broad spectrum antibiotics should have been given to the patient
  • Monitor IOP 30 minutes after administration
  • Monitor signs of infection (eg endophthalmitis) for a week after administration

Disclaimer

All dosage recommendations are for non-elderly adults with normal renal and hepatic function unless otherwise stated.   
Not all products are available or approved for above use in all countries.  
Products listed in the Drug Summary are based on indications stated in the locally approved product monographs.   
Please refer to local product monographs in Related MIMS Drugs for country-specific prescribing information.  

Related MIMS Drugs