Beovu

Generic name: Brolucizumab-dbll
Dosage form: intravitreal injection
Drug class: Anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents

Usage of Beovu

Beovu (Brolucizumab-dbll) injection is a biological drug that is used to treat two chronic eye conditions. One is called neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and it is a leading cause of vision loss in people 50 years of age and over. The other is called diabetic macular edema (DME). It is a complication of diabetes and another leading cause of vision loss. Beovu is given by injection into the eye.

Wet ADM occurs when abnormal, leaky blood vessels grow under your macula. The macula is the part of your retina at the back of your eye and it is responsible for your central vision. The leaky blood vessels can cause scaring on your macula, leading to blurry vision, wavy lines in your vision, muted colors and blind spots.

DME is caused by the leakage of fluid into the retina by damaged blood vessels. This can lead to localized swelling, including swelling of the macula.

Beovu is a type of drug called a humanized recombinant monoclonal antibody fragment. It targets and inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). VEGF-A is a protein that some people with these eye diseases produce too much of.

Beovu is a VEGF inhibitor that works by binding to and blocking VEGF-A from interacting with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) and -2 (VEGFR-2). This helps to stop the growth of new abnormal, leaky blood vessels in the eyes.

Beovu was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019. No biosimilars of Beovu have been approved. Biosimilars are highly similar versions of a biological drug that are designed to have the same effect on a person, but a biosimilar is not identical to the original version of the drug.

Beovu side effects

Beovu can cause serious side effects including:

See "Important information" above

The most common side effects of Beovu are:

reduced clarity in vision

cataracts

broken blood vessels in the eye

eye pain

vitreous floaters (moving spots in the field of vision).

These are not all the side effects of Beovu. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before taking Beovu

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss with you whether Beovu can be used during your pregnancy. It is not know if Beovu will harm your unborn baby, but it is thought it may pose a risk. Beovu should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risks. Tell your doctor if you a breastfeeding or plan to breast feed. Your should not breastfeed your child during treatment with Beovu or for at least one month after you last Beovu injection. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while on Beovu.

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How to use Beovu

For neovascular (wet) AMD The recommended dose of Beovu is 6 mg (0.05 ml of 120 mg/ml solution) monthly (approximately every 25 to 31 days) for the first 3 doses, followed by one dose of Beovu 6 mg (0.05 ml) every 8 to 12 weeks.

For DME The recommended dose for Beovu is 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) administered by intravitreal injection every six weeks (approximately every 39-45 days) for the first five doses, followed by 6 mg (0.05 mL) by intravitreal injection once every 8-12 weeks.

See full prescribing information for further details about Beovu dosing.

Warnings

Beovu can cause serious side effects including:

Infection of the eye or retinal detachment (separation of retina from the back of the eye).

Inflammation of the retinal blood vessels (Retinal vasculitis) and/or blood clots in the retinal veins (retinal vascular occlusion), typically when there is inflammation in the eye.

Increased eye pressure. Increased eye pressure has been seen within 30 minutes of an eye injection, including Beovu. Sustained increases in eye pressure also have been reported. Your doctor should monitor for this when you receive a Beovu injection.

A potential risk of stroke, heart attack, or blood clots. These adverse events have been observed in patients receiving eye injections of VEGF inhibitor drugs, including Beovu.

Sudden vision loss. Sudden vision loss due to blockage of the blood vessels in the back of the eye and inflammation of blood vessels in the back of the eye have been reported.

Tell your doctor straight away if you get any of these symptoms after Beovu is injected:

redness of the eye or worsening eye redness

eye pain

increased eye discomfort

sudden vision loss

blurred or decrease vision

an increased number of small particles in your vision

increased sensitivity to light These could be symptoms of a serious eye condition and may result in your doctor discontinuing your treatment with Beovu.

Tell your doctor straight away if you develop signs of a possible allergic reaction, such as a fast pulse, low blood pressure, sweating, rash, itching or stinging after Beovu is injected.

The safety and efficacy of using Beovu in both eyes at the same time has not been looked at. Using Beovu in both eyes at the same time may increase the risk of side effects.

What other drugs will affect Beovu

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Popular FAQ

Yes, Medicare usually covers the costs of Beovu (brolucizumab), a prescription medication used to treat macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Your specific costs may vary depending on your copays or deductibles, how much your doctor charges, and your type of insurance coverage (private, Medicare, Medicaid). Continue reading

Beovu (brolucizumab-dbll) is used to treat wet AMD (age-related macular degeneration) in adults. Two trials (HAWK and Harrier) have reported the benefits with Beovu are similar to those seen with Eylea. Improvements in visual acuity (the ability to see more clearly) started after the first injection of Beovu and were noticeable within 4 weeks, reached their maximum at 48 weeks, and persisted for at least 2 years (the length of the trial). Continue reading

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