Aflibercept (Injection)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 17, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Eylea

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Ophthalmologic Agent

Uses for aflibercept

Aflibercept injection is used to treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a disorder of the retina in the eye that causes blurred vision or blindness. Aflibercept works by changing the amount of blood that gets to the retina.

Aflibercept injection is also used to treat macular edema after retinal vein occlusion. It is also used to treat diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy. Macular edema is swelling in the back of the eye and may cause vision loss. Retinal vein occlusion is a blockage of a blood vessel in the eye. Swelling can occur when the blood vessel is blocked.

Aflibercept injection is also used to treat premature babies with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). ROP happens when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina.

Aflibercept is to be given only by your doctor.

Before using aflibercept

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For aflibercept, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to aflibercept or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of aflibercept injection to treat retinopathy of prematurity in babies. Safety and efficacy have been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of aflibercept injection in the elderly.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of aflibercept. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood clots, history of or
• Detached retina (eye disorder) or
• Endophthalmitis (inflammation of the eye) or
• Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) or
• Heart attack, history of or
• Stroke, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Eye infection or
• Eye swelling, active—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Proper use of aflibercept

An ophthalmologist (eye doctor) will give you aflibercept as a shot into the eye.

Precautions while using aflibercept

Your eye doctor will want to check your or your child''s progress closely and at regular visits, especially during the first few days after you receive aflibercept, to make sure aflibercept is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Receiving aflibercept while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control before the first dose, during treatment, and for 3 months after the last dose to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving aflibercept, tell your doctor right away.

Serious eye problems may occur with aflibercept. Check with your eye doctor right away if your or your child''s eye becomes red, sensitive to light, or painful, or if you see flashes or sparks of light, have a change in vision, or feel increased pressure in the eye several days after the injection.

Aflibercept may increase your risk of blood clots. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child has pain in your chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves, difficulty with breathing, a severe, sudden headache, slurred speech, a sudden loss of coordination, severe weakness or numbness in your arm or leg, or vision changes.

Aflibercept may cause temporary blurred vision. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how aflibercept affects you.

Aflibercept side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:

More common

• 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

Less common

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

Rare

• Chest tightness
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• headache
• hives, itching, rash, or skin redness
• hoarseness
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• swelling of the eye, face, lips, hands, or feet
• trouble breathing or swallowing

Incidence not known

• 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

Some side effects 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:

Less common

• Feeling like something is in the eye
• watery eyes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Frequently asked questions

• What’s the difference between Eylea and Avastin?
• Does Eylea raise blood pressure?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer