Aflibercept ophthalmic

Generic name: Aflibercept Ophthalmic
Dosage form: intravitreal solution (40 mg/mL)
Drug class: Anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents

Usage of Aflibercept ophthalmic

Aflibercept ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration. Aflibercept ophthalmic is also used to treat macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, a swelling in the retina caused by a blockage in the blood vessels.

Aflibercept ophthalmic is also used to treat diabetic retinopathy, an eye disorder in diabetics that can lead to a buildup of fluid in the retina and cause blindness. Aflibercept can also be used to treat diabetic macular edema, a build-up of fluid in the retina that is caused by leaking blood vessels.

Aflibercept ophthalmic is also used to treat retinopathy of prematurity, an eye condition of premature babies affecting the retina.

Aflibercept ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Aflibercept ophthalmic side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Aflibercept ophthalmic may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

eye pain or redness, swelling around your eyes;

sudden vision problems;

seeing flashes of light or "floaters" in your vision, seeing halos around lights;

your eyes may be more sensitive to light;

chest pain;

sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; or

sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with speech or balance.

Common side effects of aflibercept ophthalmic may include:

red or watery eyes;

blurred vision;

swelling of the eyelids; or

mild eye pain or discomfort after the injection.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Aflibercept ophthalmic

You should not use aflibercept if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

swelling inside your eyes; or

any type of infection (bacterial, fungal, viral) in or around your eyes.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a blood clot or stroke; or

glaucoma or other condition that increase pressure inside your eyes.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy before your first dose of aflibercept ophthalmic. Keep using birth control during treatment and for at least 3 months after your last injection.

Do not breastfeed.

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How to use Aflibercept ophthalmic

Usual Adult Dose for Macular Degeneration:

2 mg via intravitreal injection every 4 weeks for the first 12 weeks, then 2 mg via intravitreal injection every 8 weeks -Some patients may need to continue with every 4-week dosing after the first 12 weeks. Comments: -Patients should be assessed regularly. -Additional efficacy was not demonstrated for most patients when dosed every 4 weeks compared to every 8 weeks; however, some patients may need monthly dosing. -After 1 year of effective therapy, patients may be treated with 2 mg via intravitreal injection every 12 weeks, although this regimen is not as effective as the recommended every 8-week dosing regimen. Use: For the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration.

Usual Adult Dose for Macular Edema:

Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO):2 mg via intravitreal injection every 4 weeks Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): 2 mg via intravitreal injection every 4 weeks for the first 5 injections (20 weeks), then 2 mg via intravitreal injection every 8 weeks -Some patients may need to continue with every 4-week dosing after the first 20 weeks.Diabetic Retinopathy (DR):2 mg via intravitreal injection every 4 weeks for the first 5 injections (20 weeks), then 2 mg via intravitreal injection every 8 weeks -Some patients may need to continue with every 4-week dosing after the first 20 weeks. Comments: -Patients should be assessed regularly. -Additional efficacy was not demonstrated for most patients when dosed every 4 weeks compared to every 8 weeks; however, some patients may need monthly dosing. Uses: For the treatment of macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Retinopathy:

0.4 mg administered by intravitreal injectionComments: -Treatment may be given bilaterally on the same day.-Injections may be repeated in each eye. The treatment interval between doses injected into the same eye should be at least 10 days.Use: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

Warnings

You should not use aflibercept if you have swelling inside your eyes, or any type of infection in or around your eyes.

Call your doctor at once if you have eye pain or redness, swelling or puffiness around your eyes, or sudden vision problems at any time during treatment.

What other drugs will affect Aflibercept ophthalmic

Medicine used in the eyes is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Popular FAQ

Eylea, Eylea HD, and Avastin may all be used to treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as injections into the eye (intravitreal injections). Both Eylea and Eylea HD are FDA-approved for this indication, but use of Avastin is off-label (not an FDA-approved indication - although it has been used for this purpose since 2005). Eylea HD is a longer acting version of Eylea. Continue reading

Eylea and Eylea HD injections into the eye (intravitreal) are associated with a substantial but temporary increase in blood pressure in some patients. Increases in intraocular pressure (the pressure inside the eye) have also been seen within 60 minutes of an injection of Eylea or Eylea HD. Continue reading

Eylea HD is a higher dose, longer-acting formulation of Eylea that has been approved to treat Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). Eylea is approved to treat these conditions in addition to Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Continue reading

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