What is the difference between Vabysmo and Eylea?
Vabysmo (faricimab) and Eylea (afibercept) are both eye injections used in the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Eylea is also approved to treat diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
The injections are administered by intravitreal injection (into the gel-like part of the eye) by your retina eye specialist (a trained ophthalmologist). Your doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before the injection. You will receive this injection in your doctor's office or a specialty clinic.
Vabysmo is a bispecific antibody that targets both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), whereas Eylea is a recombinant fusion protein that targets VEGF and placental growth factor (P1GF).
Eylea was approved by the FDA in 2011, and Vabysmo was initially approved by the FDA in 2022. A higher strength product of afibercept called Eylea HD became available in 2023. In 2024, the FDA approved a Vabysmo 6 mg single-dose, ready-to-use prefilled syringe (PFS). To compare these medications, see the table below.
What eye conditions do Vabysmo and Eylea treat?
Both Vabysmo and Eylea are approved to treat:
- Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): a long-lasting eye condition where new blood vessels grow under the retina which may cause leaking of blood and fluid into the macula (a part of the retina). The retina is the light-sensitive nerve tissue that covers the back of the eye. This can cause blurred vision or a blind spot in the central vision.
- Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): a diabetes-related swelling and build-up of fluid in the retina that is caused by leaking blood vessels. This may led to blurry vision, double vision or dark floating spots.
- Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO): poor blood supply in the retina caused by a blockage in a vein in the retina. The blood vessels become leaky and lead to swelling of the macula, which can lead to vision distortion of loss.
Eylea is also approved to treat:
- Diabetic Retinopathy (DR): an eye disorder in diabetics that can lead to a buildup of fluid in the retina and cause vision loss or blindness.
- Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): an eye condition affecting the retina in premature babies or babies weighing less than 3 pounds at birth. Abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina, and may lead to vision loss or blindness if not treated.
Clinical studies have shown that Vabysmo and Eylea have similar safety profiles and that Vabysmo is non-inferior to Eylea, which means that the clinical benefits it provides are similar to those provided by Eylea.
Common side effects that occur with Vabysmo, Eylea and Eylea HD include: cataracts and conjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding). Other side effects are described in the table below.
Dosing for Vabysmo, Eylea and Eylea HD may vary based on your condition and response. Your retina specialist eye doctor will determine the dosing schedule that is right for you.
How does Vabysmo compare to Eylea?
Vabysmo | Eylea / Eylea HD | |
---|---|---|
Generic name | Faricimab-svoa | Aflibercept |
Company | Genentech | Regeneron |
FDA approval date | 2022 | 2011 (Eylea) / 2023 (Eylea HD) |
Drug type / class | Bispecific antibody | Recombinant fusion protein |
Dosage form | Intravitreal injection (into the gel-like part of the eye) | Intravitreal injection (into the gel-like part of the eye) |
Mechanism of action | VEGF and angiopoietin-2 inhibitor | Inhibits VEGF / placental growth factor (P1GF) |
Indications / usage |
Vabysmo
|
Eylea
Eylea HD
|
Dosing schedule and administration (intravitreal injection) |
Vabysmo: For detailed dosing instructions, visit:
Dosage forms available as:
|
Eylea / Eylea HD: For detailed dosing instructions, visit:
Dosage forms available as:
|
Side effects / adverse effects |
The most common adverse reactions (≥ 5%) reported in patients were:
|
The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) in patients (in AMD studies) were: Eylea / Eylea HD
Eylea HD Additional side effects (≥3%) reported in patients using Eylea HD were:
|
Warnings and precautions |
|
|
This is not all the information you need to know about Vabysmo, Eylea or Eylea HD for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
Related questions
References
- Vabysmo (faricimab-svoa) prescribing information. Updated 6/2024. Genentech. [Accessed July 8, 2024]. Available at: https://www.gene.com/download/pdf/vabysmo_prescribing.pdf
- Eylea (aflibercept) prescribing information. Updated 12/2023. Regeneron. [Accessed July 8, 2024] at https://www.regeneron.com/downloads/eylea_fpi.pdf
- Eylea (aflibercept) HD prescribing information. Updated 12/2023. Regeneron. [Accessed July 8, 2024] https://www.regeneron.com/downloads/eyleahd_fpi.pdf
- Heier JS, Khanani AM, Quezada Ruiz C, et al. Efficacy, durability, and safety of intravitreal faricimab up to every 16 weeks for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (TENAYA and LUCERNE): two randomised, double-masked, phase 3, non-inferiority trials. Lancet. 2022;399(10326):729-740. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00010-1
- Wykoff CC, Abreu F, Adamis AP, et al. Efficacy, durability, and safety of intravitreal faricimab with extended dosing up to every 16 weeks in patients with diabetic macular oedema (YOSEMITE and RHINE): two randomised, double-masked, phase 3 trials. Lancet. 2022;399(10326):741-755. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00018-6
- Vabysmo.com. Genetech. Accessed Aug 27, 2023 at https://www.vabysmo.com/dme.html
- Vabysmo. Patient brochure. Wet AMD. Accessed Aug 27, 2023 at https://www.vabysmo.com/content/dam/gene/vabysmo/pdfs/vabysmo-patient-brochure-wamd.pdf
Read next
How long does Eylea or Eylea HD take to work?
Eylea and Eylea HD usually work within 3 months, with some people noticing improvements in as little as one month of treatment, depending on the condition being treated. For some conditions, it may take up to 6 months before a significant difference is seen. Continue reading
Does Eylea and Eylea HD raise blood pressure?
Eylea and Eylea HD injections into the eye (intravitreal) are associated with a substantial but temporary increase in blood pressure in some patients. Increases in intraocular pressure (the pressure inside the eye) have also been seen within 60 minutes of an injection of Eylea or Eylea HD. Continue reading
What is the difference between Eylea and Eylea HD?
Eylea HD is a higher dose, longer-acting formulation of Eylea that has been approved to treat Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). Eylea is approved to treat these conditions in addition to Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Continue reading
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