Aflibercept

EYLEA is indicated for the treatment of:

Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) In Patients With DME

Aflibercept is a prescription medication for the treatment of people with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD, a common eye disease associated with aging) and macular edema. Aflibercept is also used to treat diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic macular edema.  Aflibercept belongs to a group of drugs called vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) antagonists and placental growth factor (PlGF) antagonists. It works by inhibiting a protein that stimulates growth of new blood vessels and blood vessel leakage.

This medication comes in an injectable form to be given directly into the eye by a healthcare provider.

Common side effects of aflibercept include eye redness and pain, blood spots on the whites of eyes, and cataracts.

Because aflibercept is injected into the eye, only a very small amount of the drug reaches the bloodstream, making aflibercept unlikely to interact with most medications. However, be sure to tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Aflibercept comes as a liquid to be injected into the eye by a healthcare provider in a medical office, hospital, or clinic.

Before you receive an aflibercept injection, your eye will be cleansed to prevent infection and numbed to reduce discomfort during the injection. You may feel pressure in your eye when the medication is injected. You should feel no pain.

After your injection, your doctor will need to examine your eyes before you leave the office.

You may receive a prescription for antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection after the procedure.

After receiving an aflibercept injection you may experience temporary vision problems. Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision has returned to normal.

Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider for aflibercept injections. This medication must be taken as prescribed to receive the most benefit.

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

Applies to aflibercept ophthalmic: intraocular solution

Along with its needed effects, aflibercept ophthalmic may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking aflibercept ophthalmic:

• Blindness
• bloody eye
• blurred vision
• eye or eyelid redness
• eye pain
• seeing flashes, sparks of light, or a veil or curtain
• seeing floating spots before the eyes
• vision changes

• Bleeding or pain at the injection site
• swelling of the eyelid

• Fast heartbeat
• fever
• headache
• hives, itching, rash, or skin redness
• hoarseness
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• swelling of the face, lips, hands, or feet
• troubled breathing or swallowing

• Pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
• severe, sudden headache
• slurred speech
• sudden loss of coordination
• sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
• sudden, unexplained shortness of breath

Some side effects of aflibercept ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Feeling like something is in the eye
• watery eyes

No adjustment recommended.

Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age).