EYLEA is a New Medicine for the Treatment of Macular Degeneration
Posted by Dr. J. R. Lacey, Therapeutic Optometrist
Eylea is an Effective Treatment for Macular Degeneration and Costs Less than Current Similar Medicine
EYLEA™ (aflibercept) was approved in December 2011 for the treatment of neovascular (wet) macular degeneration.
Eylea (by Regeneron) works much like Lucentis and Avastin in its treatment of macular degeneration except that it is used less frequently and costs less. The recommended dose for
EYLEA is 2 mg (0.05 mL) administered by injection into the vitreous of the eye every 4 weeks (monthly) for the first 3 months followed by 2 mg (0.05 mL) via injection once every 8 weeks (2 months).
Although EYLEA may be dosed as frequently as 2 mg every 4 weeks (monthly), results were no more effective using Eylea every month compared to every two months. The cost for Eyelea is approximately $1,850 (without doctor fees). The costs for Lucentis is about $1,950 without doctor fees. Therefore, Eyelea tends to be considerably less expensive than Lucentis because it not only costs less but is also used half as often. Avastin, which is not FDA approved for treatment of macular degeneration only costs $50.
Adverse Reactions to Eylea and Anti VEGF Treatments
There is a very slight risk of artery occlusion (i.e. non-fatal stroke, non-fatal heart attack, etc.) following use of all types of anti VEGF medicine for macular degeneration. The incidence of these serious consequences with EYLEA in clinical trials was 1.8% during the first year.
The most common adverse reactions occurred in 5% or more of patients and included: conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, cataract, vitreous detachment, vitreous floaters, and increased intraocular pressure.
Endophthalmitis (serious internal eye infection) occurred in less than 0.1% of eyes treated with Eyelea.
