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aflibercept ophthalmic (Eylea)
Indications:
- wet age-related macular degeneration
- diabetic macular edema
Contraindications:
- active eye infection
- active ocular inflammation
Dosage:
- 2 mg (0.05 mL) every 4 weeks for 3 months, then 2 mg (0.05 mL) every 8 weeks
Solution: 40 mg/mL solution for intravitreal injection in a single-use vial
Notes:
- in two randomized trials, involving 2400 patients, aflibercept was as effective as ranibizumab (Lucentis) in improving visual acuity
Adverse effects:
- eye pain
- conjunctival hemorrhage
- vitreous floaters
- cataract
- increased intraocular pressure (may occur within 60 minutes)
- endophthalmitis & retinal detachments may occur following intravitreal injections
Mechanism of action:
- recombinant fusion protein consisting of portions of human VEGF receptor 1 & VEGF receptor 2 extracellular domains fused to the Fc portion of human IgG1
- acts as a soluble decoy receptor that binds VEGF-A & PlGF
General
aflibercept (Eylea)
ophthalmic agent (eyedrops)
References
- FDA NEWS RELEASE: Nov. 18, 2011
FDA approves Eylea for eye disorder in older people
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm280601.htm
- The Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network.
Aflibercept, Bevacizumab, or Ranibizumab for Diabetic Macular Edema.
N Engl J Med. 2015 Feb 18.
PMID: 25692915
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1414264
- Martin DF, Maguire MG.
Treatment Choice for Diabetic Macular Edema.
N Engl J Med. 2015 Feb 18. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 25692914
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe1500351
- aflibercept (Eylea) prescribing information
http://www.regeneron.com/docs/eylea-fpi.pdf