aflibercept
Brand names: Eylea
AHZANTIVE is a medicine used to treat certain eye problems. It helps to stop blood vessels from growing and leaking in the eye.
What it does
AHZANTIVE treats wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Common side effects
Bleeding in the eye, Eye pain, Clouding of the lens of the eye (cataract)
Key warnings
Injections with AHZANTIVE may cause serious eye infections (endophthalmitis), separation of the retina (retinal detachment), and inflammation of blood vessels in the retina.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
AHZANTIVE is given as an injection into your eye. A qualified doctor must give you this injection. The dose is 2 mg (0.05 mL). The frequency of injections depends on the eye condition being treated, and your doctor will determine the best schedule for you.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss an appointment for your AHZANTIVE injection, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule.
Storage
Store AHZANTIVE in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) in its original container to protect from light. Do not freeze.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 20,002 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 29,874 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2007–2025.
Total Reports
29,874
Death-Related Reports
8,845
Hospitalization Reports
3,872
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DEATH | 7,853 |
| 2 | VISUAL IMPAIRMENT | 2,013 |
| 3 | OFF LABEL USE | 1,509 |
| 4 | BLINDNESS | 1,459 |
| 5 | ENDOPHTHALMITIS | 1,372 |
| 6 | VISUAL ACUITY REDUCED | 1,244 |
| 7 | EYE PAIN | 1,181 |
| 8 | VISION BLURRED | 1,161 |
| 9 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 1,132 |
| 10 | PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE | 1,078 |
| 11 | BLINDNESS UNILATERAL | 1,068 |
| 12 | BLINDNESS TRANSIENT | 1,028 |
| 13 | EYE INFLAMMATION | 970 |
| 14 | EYE HAEMORRHAGE | 797 |
| 15 | VITREOUS FLOATERS | 781 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Common Questions
What if I am allergic to AHZANTIVE?
Can AHZANTIVE be used for both eyes at the same time?
What kind of needle is used to inject AHZANTIVE?
How often will I need AHZANTIVE injections for wet AMD?
How often will I need AHZANTIVE injections for diabetic macular edema?
Can I drive after getting an AHZANTIVE injection?
What should I do if my eye becomes red and painful after the injection?
Will AHZANTIVE cure my eye condition?
Are there any special instructions before the injection?
Can I still wear contact lenses?
What are the common side effects of aflibercept?
What drug class is aflibercept?
Is aflibercept safe during pregnancy?
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What the FDA Data Shows for aflibercept
The FDA label for aflibercept (sold under brand names such as Eylea) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Anti-VEGF (Ophthalmic Injection) class. AHZANTIVE treats wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Bleeding in the eye, Eye pain, Clouding of the lens of the eye (cataract).
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 20,002 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: October 27, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages