$40 Drug Works as well as $2000 Drug in Treatment of Wet Macular Degeneration

A head-to-head comparison of the two major drugs used to treat wet macular degeneration  - differing in cost by almost $2000 per dose - determined that they were both equally effective in treating the disease. Prior to this study, Lucentis and Avastin had never been compared head-to-head. The study was set up to compare the use of Avastin and Lucentis on a monthly and as-needed treatment schedule. Researchers found that both of the drugs were extremely effective no matter which dosing schedule was followed although the as-needed basis resulted in a little less gain in vision. While the monthly treatments might have an added benefit of improved vision, patients do need to be aware of the increased risk and costs associated with monthly injections. Since both drugs have been determined to be equal when it comes to results, doctors will be to more effectively tailor each patient's treatment.*