Daily Medication Pearl: Aflibercept (Eylea)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Aflibercept (Eylea)

Indication: Aflibercept is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration, macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy.

Sources:

• Dosing: Injection 2 mg/0.05 mL solution in a single-dose pre-filled syringe. Injection 2 mg/0.05 mL solution in a single-dose vial.
• Dosage form: The recommended dose for aflibercept is 2 mg (0.05 mL) administered by intravitreal injection every 4 weeks (approximately every 28 days, monthly) for the first 3 months, followed by 2 mg (0.05 mL) via intravitreal injection once every 8 weeks (2 months).
• Adverse events (AEs): The most common AEs (≥5%) reported in patients receiving aflibercept were conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, cataract, vitreous detachment, vitreous floaters, and increased intraocular pressure.
• Mechanism of action: VEGF acts via 2 receptor tyrosine kinases, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, present on the surface of endothelial cells. PlGF binds only to VEGFR-1, which is also present on the surface of leucocytes. Activation of these receptors by VEGF-A can result in neovascularization and vascular permeability.
• Manufacturer: Regeneron

Sources:

• https://www.hcp.eylea.us/download/eylea_fpi.pdf
• Anti-VEGF Therapy | EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection