What is Aflibercept (Eylea): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Aflibercept is a prescription medicine that helps treat serious eye conditions that can lead to vision loss. It's given as an injection directly into your eye to block harmful proteins that damage blood vessels in your retina.

This medication works like a shield, protecting the delicate tissue at the back of your eye from further damage. Many people find it helps preserve their vision and, in some cases, even improve their sight when other treatments haven't worked as well.

What is Aflibercept?

Aflibercept is a man-made protein that mimics your body's natural ability to fight off harmful substances in your eye. It belongs to a class of medications called anti-VEGF drugs, which means it blocks a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor.

Think of VEGF as a signal that tells your body to grow new blood vessels. While this process is helpful in healing wounds, it can cause problems in your eye when it happens in the wrong place or at the wrong time.

The medicine comes as a clear solution that your eye doctor injects directly into the gel-like substance inside your eye. This targeted approach means the medication goes exactly where it's needed most, without affecting the rest of your body as much as pills might.

What is Aflibercept Used For?

Aflibercept treats several eye conditions that involve abnormal blood vessel growth or leakage in your retina. Your doctor might recommend it if you have wet age-related macular degeneration, which affects your central vision.

The medication also helps people with diabetic macular edema, a complication of diabetes where fluid builds up in the center of your retina. This swelling can make your vision blurry or distorted, especially when you're trying to read or see fine details.

Other conditions that respond well to aflibercept include diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. These conditions involve damage to the blood vessels in your retina, which can lead to vision problems if left untreated.

Some people also receive aflibercept for myopic choroidal neovascularization, a condition where new blood vessels grow under the retina in people with severe nearsightedness. Your eye doctor will determine if this treatment is right for your specific situation.

How Does Aflibercept Work?

Aflibercept works by blocking VEGF, a protein that causes blood vessels to grow and leak fluid. When you have certain eye conditions, your body produces too much VEGF, leading to unwanted blood vessel growth in your retina.

These abnormal blood vessels are fragile and tend to leak blood and fluid into your eye. This leakage can cause swelling, scarring, and vision loss over time.

By blocking VEGF, aflibercept helps reduce this abnormal blood vessel growth and decreases fluid leakage. This process can help stabilize your vision and, in many cases, improve it.

Aflibercept is considered a strong and effective medication for these conditions. Most people see improvements in their vision within the first few months of treatment, though results can vary from person to person.

How Should I Take Aflibercept?

Aflibercept is given as an injection directly into your eye at your doctor's office. You won't take this medication at home, and you don't need to worry about remembering to take pills or preparing special foods.

Before your injection, your doctor will clean your eye and the surrounding area with antiseptic to prevent infection. They'll also give you numbing drops to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.

The injection itself takes just a few seconds, though the entire appointment might last 30 to 60 minutes. You can eat normally before your appointment, and you don't need to avoid any specific foods or drinks.

After your injection, you might feel some mild discomfort or see a few floating spots in your vision. These effects are normal and usually go away within a day or two.

Your doctor will schedule your follow-up appointments, and it's important to keep all of them even if your vision seems stable. Regular monitoring helps ensure the treatment is working effectively.

How Long Should I Take Aflibercept For?

Most people need aflibercept injections for several months to years, depending on their specific condition and how well they respond to treatment. Your eye doctor will create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Initially, you'll likely receive injections every month or every other month for the first few months. This frequent schedule helps get your condition under control quickly.

Once your vision stabilizes, your doctor might be able to space out your injections to every two or three months. Some people can eventually go even longer between treatments.

The goal is to find the right balance between maintaining your vision improvement and minimizing the number of injections you need. Your doctor will monitor your progress closely and adjust your treatment schedule as needed.

Some people may need ongoing treatment indefinitely to maintain their vision, while others might be able to stop after their condition stabilizes. Your individual situation will determine the best approach.

What Are the Side Effects of Aflibercept?

Like all medications, aflibercept can cause side effects, though most people tolerate it well. The most common side effects are mild and related to the injection procedure itself.

Here are the side effects you might experience, starting with the most common ones that usually resolve on their own:

• Mild eye pain or discomfort for a day or two after injection
• Small spots of blood on the white part of your eye (conjunctival hemorrhage)
• Temporary floating spots in your vision
• Feeling like something is in your eye
• Mild eye redness or irritation
• Temporary increase in eye pressure
• Dry eyes or increased tear production

These common side effects are usually mild and don't require treatment. They typically improve within a few days as your eye heals from the injection.

Less common but more serious side effects can occur, though they affect fewer than 1 in 100 people. These include eye infection, severe inflammation inside the eye, retinal detachment, or significant increases in eye pressure.

Very rare but serious complications include severe allergic reactions or blood clots. While these are extremely uncommon, your doctor will monitor you for any signs of these conditions.

If you experience severe eye pain, sudden vision changes, or signs of infection like increased redness and discharge, contact your doctor immediately. These symptoms could indicate a serious complication that needs prompt attention.

Who Should Not Take Aflibercept?

Aflibercept isn't suitable for everyone, and your doctor will carefully evaluate whether it's safe for you. People with active eye infections shouldn't receive the injection until the infection is completely cleared.

If you have severe inflammation in or around your eye, your doctor will likely treat this condition first before considering aflibercept. The medication could potentially worsen existing inflammation.

People with known allergies to aflibercept or any of its components should avoid this treatment. Your doctor will review your allergy history before starting treatment.

Certain medical conditions require extra caution, though they don't automatically rule out aflibercept treatment. If you have a history of stroke, heart attack, or blood clots, your doctor will weigh the risks and benefits carefully.

Pregnant women should generally avoid aflibercept unless the potential benefits clearly outweigh the risks. If you're planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding, discuss this with your doctor.

People taking blood thinners or those with bleeding disorders need special monitoring, as these conditions might increase the risk of bleeding during or after the injection.

Aflibercept Brand Names

Aflibercept is most commonly known by its brand name Eylea. This is the version specifically formulated for eye injections that most people receive.

You might also hear your doctor refer to it as aflibercept-VEGF Trap, which describes how the medication works. Some medical professionals use the full generic name aflibercept when discussing treatment options.

There's also a version called Zaltrap, but this is a different formulation used for cancer treatment, not eye conditions. Make sure your doctor is prescribing the correct version for your eye condition.

Aflibercept Alternatives

Several other medications work similarly to aflibercept for treating eye conditions. The most common alternatives include ranibizumab (Lucentis) and bevacizumab (Avastin).

These medications all block VEGF like aflibercept does, but they have slightly different structures and dosing schedules. Some people respond better to one medication than another.

Your doctor might recommend trying a different anti-VEGF medication if aflibercept doesn't work well for you or if you experience side effects. Each person's response to these medications can vary.

In some cases, your doctor might suggest combining aflibercept with other treatments like laser therapy or steroid injections. The best approach depends on your specific condition and how well you respond to initial treatment.

Is Aflibercept Better Than Ranibizumab (Lucentis)?

Both aflibercept and ranibizumab are highly effective medications for treating eye conditions involving abnormal blood vessel growth. Studies show that both medications can significantly improve vision and slow disease progression.

The main difference is that aflibercept may last longer in your eye, which means you might need fewer injections over time. Many people can space out their aflibercept injections to every two months after the initial treatment period.

Ranibizumab typically requires monthly injections initially, though some people can also extend the interval between treatments once their condition stabilizes. Both medications have similar safety profiles and side effect rates.

Your doctor will consider factors like your specific eye condition, your lifestyle, and your insurance coverage when choosing between these options. What matters most is finding the medication that works best for your individual situation.