Anti-VEGF Medications

Anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) drugs are a class of medications used to treat various eye conditions, particularly those affecting the retina. These drugs work by inhibiting the action of VEGF, a protein that plays a critical role in the growth of new blood vessels. In the context of the eye, abnormal blood vessel growth can lead to vision-threatening conditions.

Anti-VEGF drugs are commonly used to treat the following eye conditions:

1. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): AMD is a progressive eye disease that can lead to severe vision loss. In the wet form of AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood, causing damage to the central vision. Anti-VEGF drugs help reduce the growth of these vessels and prevent further vision loss.

2. Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina. Over time, these blood vessels may become damaged and leak fluid or bleed. Anti-VEGF drugs are used to slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy and reduce the risk of vision loss.

3. Macular Edema: Macular edema is the buildup of fluid in the macula, a part of the retina responsible for central vision. Conditions such as diabetic macular edema and macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion can benefit from anti-VEGF treatment, as it helps reduce fluid accumulation and improve vision.

Commonly prescribed anti-VEGF drugs include:

1. Ranibizumab (Lucentis): Lucentis was one of the first anti-VEGF drugs approved for the treatment of wet AMD. It is administered via intravitreal injections directly into the eye.

2. Byooviz (ranibizumab-nuna) is a biosimilar to Lucentis (ranibizumab).

3. Cimerli (ranibizumab-eqrn) is a biosimilar to Lucentis (ranibizumab).

4. Bevacizumab (Avastin): Although not specifically approved for eye conditions, Avastin is sometimes used off-label for the treatment of retinal disorders. It is a cost-effective alternative to Lucentis and is also administered via intravitreal injections.

5. Aflibercept (Eylea): Eylea is another anti-VEGF drug approved for the treatment of wet AMD, diabetic macular edema, and macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion. It is administered through intravitreal injections.

6. EyleaHD is a newer and more concentrated version of Eylea

7. Brolucizumab (Beovu): Beovu is a newer anti-VEGF drug approved for the treatment of wet AMD. It is administered through intravitreal injections and is designed to provide longer-lasting effects between treatments.

8. Vabysmo (faricimab-svoa) is a prescription medicine given by injection into the eye used to treat adults with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME).

Vabysmo is a dual vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) inhibitor. VEGF and Ang-2 are proteins that contribute to edema in the eye in people with AMD or DME. Vabysmo's mechanism of action (how it works) is to block the action of VEGF and Ang-2. This may help slow or stop the damage from eye edema.