Overview
Eylea is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy (DR), both of which are complications of diabetes that can lead to vision loss. Eylea may be prescribed to adults with these conditions to help reduce swelling in the retina and improve or maintain vision. A higher-dose version of the drug, called Eylea HD, is also FDA-approved for DME and DR. Eylea is also known by its drug name, aflibercept.

Eylea belongs to a class of drugs known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. It works by blocking a protein called VEGF that contributes to abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the eye, which can damage vision in people with diabetes.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Eylea is typically administered by intravitreal injection (injection into the eye) once every four weeks for the first five doses. After these initial injections, it is typically given once every eight weeks. Some people may continue to receive injections every four weeks depending on how well the treatment is working. Eylea should be administered exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Eylea include conjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding on the white of the eye), eye pain, cataract, vitreous detachment (pulling away of the gel-like substance inside the eye), vitreous floaters (spots in vision), and increased intraocular pressure (elevated pressure inside the eye).

Rare but serious side effects may include endophthalmitis (a severe eye infection), retinal detachment (separation of the retina from the back of the eye), retinal vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels in the retina), and arterial thromboembolic events (blood clots in arteries that can lead to stroke or heart attack).

For more information about this treatment, visit:
Eylea (Aflibercept) Injection, for Intravitreal Use — Regeneron