aflibercept vs bevacizumab (ophthalmic)
Side-by-side comparison of aflibercept and bevacizumab (ophthalmic) Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Eylea
Avastin
AHZANTIVE is a medicine used to treat certain eye problems. It helps to stop blood vessels from growing and leaking in the eye.
Avastin is a medicine that blocks a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It is used to treat several types of cancer.
AHZANTIVE treats wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It also treats swelling in the macula (the central part of the retina) caused by retinal vein occlusion (RVO) or diabetic macular edema (DME). Additionally, it can treat diabetic retinopathy (DR), an eye disease caused by diabetes.
Avastin is used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum that has spread). It also treats non-small cell lung cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. Avastin can also treat recurrent glioblastoma (a type of brain tumor), metastatic renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer that has spread), and certain types of cervical, ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancers. Avastin is also used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer.
AHZANTIVE is a VEGF inhibitor. VEGF is a protein that promotes the growth of new blood vessels. By blocking VEGF, AHZANTIVE helps to reduce the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye and decrease leakage.
Avastin blocks a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF helps tumors grow new blood vessels. By blocking VEGF, Avastin can help slow or stop the growth of cancer.
- • Bleeding in the eye
- • Eye pain
- • Clouding of the lens of the eye (cataract)
- • Separation of the vitreous gel from the retina
- • Spots in your vision
- • Nosebleeds
- • Headache
- • High blood pressure
- • Runny nose
- • Protein in your urine
- Death 7,853
- Trouble seeing 2,013
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 1,509
- Loss of sight 1,459
- Eye infection 1,372
No adverse event reports.
Injections with AHZANTIVE may cause serious eye infections (endophthalmitis), separation of the retina (retinal detachment), and inflammation of blood vessels in the retina. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of these problems. AHZANTIVE may also increase the risk of blood clots that can cause stroke or heart attack.
Avastin can cause serious side effects. It can cause holes in your stomach or intestines, problems with wound healing, and severe bleeding. It can also cause blood clots in your arteries or veins, high blood pressure, and problems with your kidneys. In rare cases, it can cause a brain condition called Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES). Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects.
It is not known if AHZANTIVE can harm an unborn baby. AHZANTIVE should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit justifies the risk. It is also not known if AHZANTIVE passes into breast milk.
Avastin can harm an unborn baby. If you are a woman who could become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while you are taking Avastin and for 6 months after your last dose. Do not breastfeed while taking Avastin and for 6 months after your last dose.
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How to Read This aflibercept vs bevacizumab (ophthalmic) Comparison
aflibercept is classified in the Anti-VEGF (Ophthalmic Injection) drug class, while bevacizumab (ophthalmic) sits within the Anti-VEGF (Off-Label Ophthalmic) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, aflibercept has 14,206 submissions while bevacizumab (ophthalmic) has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between aflibercept and bevacizumab (ophthalmic) — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.