aflibercept vs loteprednol ophthalmic
Side-by-side comparison of aflibercept and loteprednol ophthalmic Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Eylea
Lotemax
AHZANTIVE is a medicine used to treat certain eye problems. It helps to stop blood vessels from growing and leaking in the eye.
Lotemax SM is an eye gel that contains a steroid medicine. It is used to treat inflammation and pain after eye surgery.
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.
Lotemax SM treats inflammation and pain in your eye after surgery. It is a type of steroid medicine that helps to reduce swelling and discomfort. You should use it as directed by your doctor following your eye surgery.
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.
Lotemax SM contains loteprednol etabonate, a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the body. By reducing inflammation in the eye, Lotemax SM helps relieve pain and swelling after surgery.
- • 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
No common side effects listed.
- 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.
Using steroid eye drops for a long time may cause glaucoma. This can damage your optic nerve and cause vision problems. Steroid eye drops can also cause cataracts. Steroids may also slow healing after cataract surgery. If you use this medicine for 10 days or longer, your eye pressure should be checked.
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.
It is not known if Lotemax SM can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if Lotemax SM passes into breast milk.
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How to Read This aflibercept vs loteprednol ophthalmic Comparison
aflibercept is classified in the Anti-VEGF (Ophthalmic Injection) drug class, while loteprednol ophthalmic sits within the Corticosteroid (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 loteprednol 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 loteprednol 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.