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Iluvien

Generic: fluocinolone acetonide

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
NDC
68611-190
RxCUI
1552351
Route
INTRAVITREAL
ICD-10 indication
E11.321

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About Iluvien

What is this medication? Iluvien is a prescription corticosteroid medication used for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. This condition occurs when fluid leaks into the center of the retina due to damaged blood vessels caused by diabetes, leading to vision loss. The medication contains fluocinolone acetonide and is designed to reduce inflammation and swelling within the eye to help improve or maintain visual clarity for patients who have previously been treated with a course of corticosteroids without a significant rise in intraocular pressure.

The medication is administered as a tiny intravitreal implant that is injected directly into the back of the eye by a healthcare professional. Once inserted, the implant provides a sustained release of the steroid for up to thirty-six months, offering a long-term solution compared to treatments that require more frequent injections. Because it is a steroid, patients using this treatment must be monitored by their eye doctor for potential side effects such as increased eye pressure or the development of cataracts.

Copay & patient assistance

  • Patient Copay Amount: Maximum of $25.00 out-of-pocket
  • Maximum Annual Benefit Limit: No maximum assistance level
  • Core Eligibility Restrictions: Must have commercial or private insurance covering ILUVIEN for the FDA-labeled indication; patient out-of-pocket responsibility must exceed $25; must be a resident of the United States; must provide household income and number of members in household; program does not cover procedures, supplies, or physician-related services.
  • RxBIN, PCN, and Group numbers: Not Publicly Available

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Iluvien. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Jan 28, 2026

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ILUVIEN is a corticosteroid indicated for: the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients who have been previously treated with a course of corticosteroids and did not have a clinically significant rise in intraocular pressure. (1.1) the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. (1.2) 1.1 Diabetic Macular Edema ILUVIEN ® is indicated for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients who have been previously treated with a course of corticosteroids and did not have a clinically significant rise in intraocular pressure. 1.2 Chronic Non-Infectious Uveitis Affecting the Posterior Segment ILUVIEN ® is indicated for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye.
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For ophthalmic intravitreal injection. (2.1) The intravitreal injection procedure should be carried out under aseptic conditions. (2.2) Following the intravitreal injection, patients should be monitored for elevation in intraocular pressure and for endophthalmitis. (2.2) 2.1 General Dosing Information For ophthalmic intravitreal injection. The initial prescription and renewal of the medication order of ILUVIEN should be made by a physician only after examination of the patient with the aid of magnification, such as slit lamp biomicroscopy, and, where appropriate, fluorescein staining. 2.2 Administration The intravitreal injection procedure should be carried out under aseptic conditions, which include use of sterile gloves, a sterile drape, a sterile caliper, and a sterile eyelid speculum (or equivalent). Adequate anesthesia and a broad-spectrum microbicide should be given prior to the injection. The injection procedure for ILUVIEN is as follows: The exterior of the tray should not be considered sterile. An assistant (non-sterile) should remove the tray from the carton and examine the tray and lid for damage. If damaged, do not use unit. If acceptable, the assistant should peel the lid from the tray without touching the interior surface. Visually check through the viewing window of the preloaded applicator to ensure that there is a drug implant inside. Remove the applicator from the tray with sterile gloved hands touching only the sterile interior tray surface and applicator. Prior to injection, the applicator tip must be kept above the horizontal plane to ensure that the implant is properly positioned within the applicator. To reduce the amount of air administered with the implant, the administration procedure requires two steps. Before inserting the needle into the eye, remove the protective cap then gently push the applicator button down and slide it to the first stop (at the curved black marks alongside the button track). At the first stop, release the button and it should move to the UP position. If the button does not rise to the UP position, do not proceed with this unit. Optimal placement of the implant is inferior to the optic disc and posterior to the equator of the eye. Measure 4 millimeters inferotemporal from the limbus with the aid of calipers for point of entry into the sclera. Inspect the tip of the needle to ensure it is not bent. Gently displace the conjunctiva so that after withdrawing the needle, the conjunctival and scleral needle entry sites will not align. Care should be taken to avoid contact between the needle and the lid margin or lashes. Insert the needle through the conjunctiva and sclera. To release the implant, while the button is in the UP position, advance the button by sliding it forward to the end of the button track and remove the needle. Note: Ensure that the button reaches the end of the track before removing the needle. Remove the lid speculum and perform indirect ophthalmoscopy to verify placement of the implant, adequate central retinal artery perfusion and absence of any other complications. Following the injection, patients should be monitored for change in intraocular pressure and for endophthalmitis. Monitoring may consist of a check for perfusion of the optic nerve head immediately after the injection, tonometry within 30 minutes following the injection, and biomicroscopy between two and seven days following the injection. Patients should be instructed to report without delay any symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Ocular or Periocular Infections (4.1) Glaucoma (4.2) Hypersensitivity (4.3) 4.1 Ocular or Periocular Infections ILUVIEN is contraindicated in patients with active or suspected ocular or periocular infections including most viral disease of the cornea and conjunctiva including active epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, varicella, mycobacterial infections and fungal diseases. 4.2 Glaucoma ILUVIEN is contraindicated in patients with glaucoma, who have cup to disc ratios of greater than 0.8. 4.3 Hypersensitivity ILUVIEN is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any components of this product.
Warnings and precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Intravitreal injections have been associated with endophthalmitis, eye inflammation, increased intraocular pressure, and retinal detachments. Patients should be monitored following the injection. (5.1) Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Increase : Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity, and fields of vision. (5.2) Cataracts : Use of corticosteroids may result in posterior subcapsular cataract formation. (5.3) Delayed Healing : The use of corticosteroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation. (5.4) Corneal and Scleral Melting : In those diseases causing thinning of the cornea or sclera, ophthalmic corticosteroids may lead to perforation of the globe. (5.5) Bacterial Infections : Prolonged use of corticosteroids may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections. In acute purulent conditions, steroids may mask infection or enhance existing infection. If signs and symptoms fail to improve after 2 days, the patient should be re-evaluated. (5.6) Viral Infections : Employment of a corticosteroid medication in the treatment of patients with a history of herpes simplex requires great caution. Use of ocular steroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex). (5.7) Fungal Infections : Fungal infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term local corticosteroid application. Fungus invasion must be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where a steroid has been used or is in use. (5.8) Implant Migration : The implant may migrate into the anterior chamber if the posterior lens capsule is not intact. (5.9) 5.1 Intravitreal Injection-related Effects Intravitreal injections, including those with ILUVIEN, have been associated with endophthalmitis, eye inflammation, increased or decreased intraocular pressure, and choroidal or retinal detachments. For patients with non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment, hypotony has been observed within 24 hours of injection and has resolved within 2 weeks. Patients should be monitored following the intravitreal injection [see Patient Counseling Information (17) ] . Patients may experience temporary blurred vision after injection of the implant. 5.2 Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Increase Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in the development of 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. Intraocular pressure should be routinely monitored during the course of the treatment. 5.3 Cataracts The use of corticosteroids may result in posterior subcapsular cataract formation. 5.4 Delayed Corneal Wound Healing The use of corticosteroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation. 5.5 Corneal and Scleral Melting Various ocular diseases and long-term use of topical corticosteroids have been known to cause corneal and scleral thinning. Use of ophthalmic corticosteroids in the presence of thin corneal or scleral tissue may lead to perforation of the globe. 5.6 Bacterial Infections Prolonged use of corticosteroids may suppress the host immune response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections. Acute purulent or parasitic infections of the eye may be masked or activity enhanced by the presence of corticosteroid medication. If signs and symptoms fail to improve after 2 days, the patient should be reevaluated. 5.7 Viral Infections Use of ocular corticosteroids 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; frequent slit lamp microscopy is recommended. 5.8 Fungal Infections Fungal infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term local corticosteroid application. Fungus invasion should be suspected in any persistent corneal ulceration where a corticosteroid has been used or is in use. Fungal cultures should be taken when appropriate. 5.9 Risk of Implant Migration Patients in whom the posterior capsule of the lens is absent or has a tear are at risk of implant migration into the anterior chamber.
Adverse reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions reported are cataract development and increases in intraocular pressure. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Alimera Sciences, Inc. at 1-844-445-8843 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse reactions associated with ophthalmic steroids including ILUVIEN include cataract formation and subsequent cataract surgery, elevated intraocular pressure, which may be associated with optic nerve damage, visual acuity and field defects, secondary ocular infection from pathogens including herpes simplex, and perforation of the globe where there is thinning of the cornea or sclera. Diabetic Macular Edema ILUVIEN was studied in two multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled, double-masked trials in which patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) were treated with either ILUVIEN (n=375) or sham (n=185). Table 1 summarizes safety data available when the last subject completed the last 36 month follow up visit for the two primary ILUVIEN trials. In these trials, subjects were eligible for retreatment no earlier than 12 months after study entry. Over the three year follow up period, approximately 75% of the ILUVIEN treated subjects received only one ILUVIEN implant. The most common ocular (study eye) and non-ocular adverse reactions are shown in Tables 1 and 2 : Table 1: Ocular Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥1% of DME Patients and Non-ocular Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥5% of DME Patients 1 Includes cataract, cataract nuclear, cataract subcapsular, cataract cortical and cataract diabetic in patients who were phakic at baseline. Among these patients, 80% of ILUVIEN subjects vs. 27% of sham-controlled subjects underwent cataract surgery. 2 235 of the 375 ILUVIEN subjects were phakic at baseline; 121 of 185 sham-controlled subjects were phakic at baseline. Adverse Reactions ILUVIEN (N=375) n (%) Sham (N=185) n (%) Ocular Cataract 1 192/235 2 (82%) 61/121 2 (50%) Myodesopsia 80 (21%) 17 (9%) Eye pain 57 (15%) 25 (14%) Conjunctival haemorrhage 50 (13%) 21 (11%) Posterior capsule opacification 35 (9%) 6 (3%) Eye irritation 30 (8%) 11 (6%) Vitreous detachment 26 (7%) 12 (7%) Conjunctivitis 14 (4%) 5 (3%) Corneal oedema 13 (4%) 3 (2%) Foreign body sensation in eyes 12 (3%) 4 (2%) Eye pruritus 10 (3%) 3 (2%) Ocular hyperaemia 10 (3%) 3 (2%) Optic atrophy 9 (2%) 2 (1%) Ocular discomfort 8 (2%) 1 (1%) Photophobia 7 (2%) 2 (1%) Retinal exudates 7 (2%) 0 (0%) Anterior chamber cell 6 (2%) 1 (1%) Eye discharge 6 (2%) 1 (1%) Non-ocular Anemia 40 (11%) 10 (5%) Headache 33 (9%) 11 (6%) Renal Failure 32 (9%) 10 (5%) Pneumonia 28 (7%) 8 (4%) Increased Intraocular Pressure (IOP) in DME Patients Table 2: Summary of Elevated IOP Related Adverse Reactions in DME Patients Event ILUVIEN (N=375) n (%) Sham (N=185) n (%) IOP elevation ≥ 10 mmHg from Baseline 127 (34%) 18 (10%) IOP elevation ≥ 30 mmHg 75 (20%) 8 (4%) Any IOP-lowering medication 144 (38%) 26 (14%) Any surgical intervention for elevated intraocular pressure 18 (5%) 1 (1%) Figure 1: Mean IOP in DME Patients Cataracts and Cataract Surgery in DME Patients In the DME studies at baseline, 235 of the 375 ILUVIEN subjects were phakic; 121 of 185 sham-controlled subjects were phakic. The incidence of cataract development in patients who had a phakic study eye was higher in the ILUVIEN group (82%) compared with Sham (50%). The median time of cataract being reported as an adverse event was approximately 12 months in the ILUVIEN group and 19 months in the Sham group. Among these patients, 80% of ILUVIEN subjects vs. 27% of sham-controlled subjects underwent cataract surgery, generally within the first 18 months (Median Month 15 for both ILUVIEN group and for Sham) of the studies. Chronic Non-Infectious Uveitis Affecting the Posterior Segment of the Eye Studies 1 and 2 were multicenter, randomized, sham injection-controlled, double-masked trials in which patients with non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye were treated once with either fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant or sham injection, and then received standard care for the duration of the study. Study 3 was a multicenter, randomized, masked trial in which patients with non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye were all treated once with fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant, administered by one of two different applicators, and then received standard care for the duration of the study. Table 3 summarizes data available from studies 1, 2 and 3 through 12 months for study eyes treated with fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (n=226) or sham injection (n=94). The most common ocular (study eye) and non-ocular adverse reactions in patients with non-infectious uveitis are shown in Table 3 and Table 4 . Table 3: Ocular Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 1% of Subject Eyes and Non-Ocular Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 2% of Patients with Non-Infectious Uveitis 1 Includes cataract, cataract subcapsular and lenticular opacities in study eyes that were phakic at baseline. 113 of the 226 fluocinolone acetonide study eyes were phakic at baseline; 56 of 94 sham-controlled study eyes were phakic at baseline. Ocular ADVERSE REACTIONS Fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (N=226 Eyes) n (%) Sham Injection (N=94 Eyes) n (%) Cataract 1 63/113 (56%) 13/56 (23%) Visual Acuity Reduced 33 ( 15%) 11 (12%) Macular Edema 25 ( 11%) 33 (35%) Uveitis 22 ( 10%) 33 ( 35%) Conjunctival Hemorrhage 17 ( 8%) 5 ( 5%) Eye Pain 17 ( 8%) 12 (13%) Hypotony Of Eye 16 ( 7%) 1 ( 1%) Anterior Chamber Inflammation 12 ( 5%) 6 ( 6%) Dry Eye 10 ( 4%) 3 ( 3%) Vitreous Opacities 9 ( 4%) 8 ( 9%) Conjunctivitis 9 ( 4%) 5 ( 5%) Posterior Capsule Opacification 8 ( 4%) 3 ( 3%) Ocular Hyperemia 8 ( 4%) 7 ( 7%) Vitreous Haze 7 ( 3%) 4 ( 4%) Foreign Body Sensation In Eyes 7 ( 3%) 2 ( 2%) Vitritis 6 ( 3%) 8 ( 9%) Vitreous Floaters 6 ( 3%) 5 ( 5%) Eye Pruritus 6 ( 3%) 5 ( 5%) Conjunctival Hyperemia 5 ( 2%) 2 ( 2%) Ocular Discomfort 5 ( 2%) 1 ( 1%) Macular Fibrosis 5 ( 2%) 2 ( 2%) Glaucoma 4 ( 2%) 1 ( 1%) Photopsia 4 ( 2%) 2 ( 2%) Vitreous Hemorrhage 4 ( 2%) 0 Iridocyclitis 3 ( 1%) 7 ( 7%) Eye Inflammation 3 ( 1%) 2 ( 2%) Choroiditis 3 ( 1%) 1 ( 1%) Eye Irritation 3 ( 1%) 1 ( 1%) Visual Field Defect 3 ( 1%) 0 Lacrimation Increased 3 ( 1%) 0 Non-ocular ADVERSE REACTIONS Fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (N=214 Patients) n (%) Sham Injection (N=94 Patients) n (%) Nasopharyngitis 10 ( 5%) 5 ( 5%) Hypertension 6 ( 3%) 1 ( 1%) Arthralgia 5 ( 2%) 1 ( 1%) Table 4: Summary of Elevated IOP Related Adverse Reactions in Patients with Non-Infectious Uveitis ADVERSE REACTIONS Fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (N=226 Eyes) n (%) Sham (N=94 Eyes) n (%) IOP elevation ≥ 10 mmHg from Baseline 50 (22%) 11 (12%) IOP elevation > 30 mmHg 28 (12%) 3 (3%) Any IOP-lowering medication 98 (43%) 39 (41%) Any surgical intervention for elevated IOP 5 (2%) 2 (2%) Figure 2: Mean IOP in Patients with Non-Infectious Uveitis iluvien-figure-1 iluvien-figure-2 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of ILUVIEN. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. These reactions include reports of drug administration error and reports of the drug being ineffective.
Use in pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of ILUVIEN use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with fluocinolone acetonide. Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. It is not known whether ILUVIEN can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant women or affect reproduction capacity. ILUVIEN should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the United States 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.

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

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