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Aflibercept

Also sold as: Eylea, Zaltrap, Pavblu, Ahzantive, Opuviz (+1 more)

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor InhibitorsPrescription OnlyGeneric Available

Related Medications

Important: Only drugs listed as "Exact Equivalents" (FDA AB-rated) are confirmed interchangeable. All other listings are for informational reference only and do NOT indicate that drugs can be substituted without a physician's explicit guidance.
Same Pharmacologic Class

These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.

Classification: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors (source: RxClass/NLM)

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Drug Information

Indications & Uses

These highlights do not include all the information needed to use AHZANTIVE safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for AHZANTIVE. Initial U.S. Approval: 2024 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE AHZANTIVE is indicated for the treatment of: 1.1 Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) 1.2 Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) 1.3 Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) 1.4 Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) AHZANTIVE is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with: Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) (1.1) Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) (1.2) Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) (1.3) Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) (1.4)

Dosage & Administration

2. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION 2.1 Important Injection Instructions For ophthalmic intravitreal injection. AHZANTIVE must only be administered by a qualified physician. Pre-filled Syringe: A 30-gauge × ½-inch sterile injection needle is needed but not provided. Vial: A 5-micron sterile filter needle (18-gauge × 1½-inch), a 1-mL sterile Luer lock syringe and a 30‑gauge × ½-inch sterile injection needle are needed, but not provided. AHZANTIVE is available packaged as follows: Pre-filled Syringe. The AHZANTIVE pre-filled syringe cap and plunger are not made with natural rubber latex. Vial Only. The AHZANTIVE vial stopper is not made with natural rubber latex. [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)]. 2.2 Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) The recommended dose for AHZANTIVE is 2 mg (0.05 mL of 40 mg/mL solution) administered by intravitreal injection every 4 weeks (approximately every 28 days, monthly) for the first 12 weeks (3 months), followed by 2 mg (0.05 mL of 40 mg/mL solution) via intravitreal injection once every 8 weeks (2 months). Although AHZANTIVE may be dosed as frequently as 2 mg every 4 weeks (approximately every 25 days, monthly), additional efficacy was not demonstrated in most patients when aflibercept was dosed every 4 weeks compared to every 8 weeks [see Clinical Studies (14.1)] . Some patients may need every 4 week (monthly) dosing after the first 12 weeks (3 months). Although not as effective as the recommended every 8 week dosing regimen, patients may also be treated with one dose every 12 weeks after one year of effective therapy. Patients should be assessed regularly. 2.3 Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) The recommended dose for AHZANTIVE is 2 mg (0.05 mL of 40 mg/mL solution) administered by intravitreal injection once every 4 weeks (approximately every 25 days, monthly) [see Clinical Studies (14.2), (14.3)]. 2.4 Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) The recommended dose for AHZANTIVE is 2 mg (0.05 mL of 40 mg/mL solution) administered by intravitreal injection every 4 weeks (approximately every 28 days, monthly) for the first 5 injections, followed by 2 mg (0.05 mL of 40 mg/mL solution) via intravitreal injection once every 8 weeks (2 months). Although AHZANTIVE may be dosed as frequently as 2 mg every 4 weeks (approximately every 25 days, monthly), additional efficacy was not demonstrated in most patients when aflibercept was dosed every 4 weeks compared to every 8 weeks [see Clinical Studies (14.4)] . Some patients may need every 4 week (monthly) dosing after the first 20 weeks (5 months). 2.5 Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) The recommended dose for AHZANTIVE is 2 mg (0.05 mL of 40 mg/mL solution) administered by intravitreal injection every 4 weeks (approximately every 28 days, monthly) for the first 5 injections, followed by 2 mg (0.05 mL of 40 mg/mL solution) via intravitreal injection once every 8 weeks (2 months). Although AHZANTIVE may be dosed as frequently as 2 mg every 4 weeks (approximately every 25 days, monthly), additional efficacy was not demonstrated in most patients when aflibercept was dosed every 4 weeks compared to every 8 weeks [see Clinical Studies (14.5)] . Some patients may need every 4 week (monthly) dosing after the first 20 weeks (5 months). 2.6 Preparation for Administration - Pre-filled Syringe The AHZANTIVE pre-filled syringe is sterile and for one-time use in one eye only. The pre-filled syringe should be inspected visually prior to administration. Do not use if particulates, cloudiness, or discoloration are visible, or if the package is open or damaged. Do not use if any part of the pre-filled syringe is damaged or if the syringe cap is detached from the Luer lock. The intravitreal injection should be performed with a 30-gauge x ½-inch injection needle (not provided). The pre-filled syringe contains more than the recommended dose of 2 mg aflibercept-mrbb (equivalent to 50 microliters). The excess volume must be discarded prior to the administration. PRE-FILLED SYRINGE DESCRIPTION - Figure 1: Use aseptic technique to carry out the following steps: 1. PREPARE When ready to administer AHZANTIVE, open the carton and remove sterilized blister pack. Carefully peel open the sterilized blister pack ensuring the sterility of its contents. Keep the syringe in the sterile tray until you are ready for assembly. 2. REMOVE SYRINGE Using aseptic technique, remove the syringe from the sterilized blister pack. 3. TWIST OFF SYRINGE CAP Twist off (do not snap off) the syringe cap by holding the syringe in one hand and the syringe cap with the thumb and forefinger of the other hand (see Figure 2). Figure 2: 4. ATTACH NEEDLE Using aseptic technique, firmly twist a 30-gauge x ½-inch injection needle onto the Luer lock syringe tip (see Figure 3). Figure 3: Note: When ready to administer AHZANTIVE, remove the plastic needle shield from the needle. 5. DISLODGE AIR BUBBLES Holding the syringe with the needle pointing up, check the syringe for bubble

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following potentially serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity [see Contraindications (4.3)] Endophthalmitis, Retinal Detachments, and Retinal Vasculitis with or without Occlusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Increase in intraocular pressure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Thromboembolic events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in other clinical trials of the same or another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. A total of 2980 adult patients treated with aflibercept constituted the safety population in eight phase 3 studies. Among those, 2379 patients were treated with the recommended dose of 2 mg. Serious adverse reactions related to the injection procedure have occurred in <0.1% of intravitreal injections with aflibercept including endophthalmitis and retinal detachment. The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) reported in patients receiving aflibercept were conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, cataract, vitreous detachment, vitreous floaters, and intraocular pressure increased. Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) The data described below reflect exposure to aflibercept in 1824 patients with wet AMD, including 1223 patients treated with the 2-mg dose, in 2 double-masked, controlled clinical studies (VIEW1 and VIEW2) for 24 months (with active control in year 1) [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. Safety data observed in the aflibercept group in a 52-week, double-masked, Phase 2 study were consistent with these results. Table 1: Most Common Adverse Reactions (≥1%) in Wet AMD Studies Adverse Reactions Baseline to Week 52 Baseline to Week 96 Aflibercept (N=1824) Active Control (ranibizumab) (N=595) Aflibercept (N=1824) Control (ranibizumab) (N=595) Conjunctival hemorrhage 25% 28% 27% 30% Eye pain 9% 9% 10% 10% Cataract 7% 7% 13% 10% Vitreous detachment 6% 6% 8% 8% Vitreous floaters 6% 7% 8% 10% Intraocular pressure increased 5% 7% 7% 11% Ocular hyperemia 4% 8% 5% 10% Corneal epithelium defect 4% 5% 5% 6% Detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium 3% 3% 5% 5% Injection site pain 3% 3% 3% 4% Foreign body sensation in eyes 3% 4% 4% 4% Lacrimation increased 3% 1% 4% 2% Vision blurred 2% 2% 4% 3% Intraocular inflammation 2% 3% 3% 4% Retinal pigment epithelium tear 2% 1% 2% 2% Injection site hemorrhage 1% 2% 2% 2% Eyelid edema 1% 2% 2% 3% Corneal edema 1% 1% 1% 1% Retinal detachment <1% <1% 1% 1% Less common serious adverse reactions reported in <1% of the patients treated with aflibercept were hypersensitivity, retinal tear, and endophthalmitis. Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) The data described below reflect 6 months exposure to aflibercept with a monthly 2 mg dose in 218 patients following central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in 2 clinical studies (COPERNICUS and GALILEO) and 91 patients following branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in one clinical study (VIBRANT) [see Clinical Studies (14.2), (14.3)]. Table 2: Most Common Adverse Reactions (≥1%) in RVO Studies Adverse Reactions CRVO BRVO Aflibercept (N=218) Control (N=142) Aflibercept (N=91) Control (N=92) Eye pain 13% 5% 4% 5% Conjunctival hemorrhage 12% 11% 20% 4% Intraocular pressure increased 8% 6% 2% 0% Corneal epithelium defect 5% 4% 2% 0% Vitreous floaters 5% 1% 1% 0% Ocular hyperemia 5% 3% 2% 2% Foreign body sensation in eyes 3% 5% 3% 0% Vitreous detachment 3% 4% 2% 0% Lacrimation increased 3% 4% 3% 0% Injection site pain 3% 1% 1% 0% Vision blurred 1% <1% 1% 1% Intraocular inflammation 1% 1% 0% 0% Cataract <1% 1% 5% 0% Eyelid edema <1% 1% 1% 0% Less common adverse reactions reported in <1% of the patients treated with aflibercept in the CRVO studies were corneal edema, retinal tear, hypersensitivity, and endophthalmitis. Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) The data described below reflect exposure to aflibercept in 578 patients with DME treated with the 2-mg dose in 2 double-masked, controlled clinical studies (VIVID and VISTA) from baseline to week 52 and from baseline to week 100 [see Clinical Studies (14.4)]. Table 3: Most Common Adverse Reactions (≥1%) in DME Studies Adverse Reactions Baseline to Week 52 Baseline to Week 100 Aflibercept (N=578) Control (N=287) Aflibercept (N=578) Control (N=287) Conjunctival hemorrhage 28% 17% 31% 21% Eye pain 9% 6% 11% 9% Cataract 8% 9% 19% 17% Vitreous floaters 6% 3% 8% 6% Corneal epithelium defect 5% 3% 7% 5% Intraocular pressure increased 5% 3% 9% 5% Ocular hyperemia 5% 6% 5% 6% Vitreous detachment 3% 3% 8% 6% Foreign body sensation in eyes 3% 3% 3% 3% Lacrimation increased 3% 2% 4% 2% Vision blurred 2% 2% 3% 4% Intraocular inflammation 2% <1% 3% 1% Injection site pain 2% <1% 2% <1% Eyelid edema <1% 1% 2% 1% Less common adverse reactions reported in

Contraindications

4. CONTRAINDICATIONS 4.1 Ocular or Periocular Infections AHZANTIVE is contraindicated in patients with ocular or periocular infections. 4.2 Active Intraocular Inflammation AHZANTIVE is contraindicated in patients with active intraocular inflammation. 4.3 Hypersensitivity AHZANTIVE is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to aflibercept or any of the excipients in AHZANTIVE. Hypersensitivity reactions may manifest as rash, pruritus, urticaria, severe anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, or severe intraocular inflammation. Ocular or periocular infections (4.1) Active intraocular inflammation (4.2) Hypersensitivity (4.3)

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