Faricimab-svoa (Intraocular)

Faricimab-svoa injection is used to treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a condition of the retina in the eye that leads to blurred vision or blindness. Faricimab-svoa works by altering the amount of blood that flows to the eye.

Faricimab-svoa injection is also used to treat diabetic macular edema (swelling in the back of the eye). It is also used to treat macular edema that occurs after retinal vein occlusion (a blocked blood vessel in the eye). Macular edema can lead to vision loss.

This medicine should only be given by your doctor or under their direct supervision.

Your eye doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few days after you receive this medicine, to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Receiving this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to prevent pregnancy during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Serious eye or vision problems (e.g., eye infection, retinal detachment, retinal vasculitis, or retinal vascular occlusion) may occur with this medicine. Check with your eye doctor right away if you have blurred or any other change in vision, eye pain, eye redness, headache, seeing flashes or sparks of light, seeing floating spots before your eyes, a veil or curtain appearing across part of your vision, or tearing of the eyes several days after you receive this medicine. Also, tell your eye doctor if you feel increased pressure in your eye.

This medicine may increase your risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. Check with your doctor right away if you have pain in your chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves, difficulty or trouble breathing, a severe, sudden headache, slurred speech, sudden loss of coordination, sudden, severe weakness or numbness in your arm or leg, or vision changes.

This medicine may cause temporary blurred vision. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you can see clearly.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the benefits it will provide. This is a decision you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been done to determine how age affects the effects of faricimab-svoa injection in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

To date, appropriate studies have not shown any geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of faricimab-svoa injection in older adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no sufficient studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at or around the time of eating food or specific types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional how to use your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may influence the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Eye infection or
• Eye swelling, active—This medicine should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Along with its necessary effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects will occur, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects happen:

More common

• Bloody eye
• Redness of the eye

Less common

• Blurred vision
• Change in vision
• Eye pain
• Loss of vision
• Red, sore eyes
• Seeing floaters, veil, or curtain across part of vision
• Seeing floating dark spots or material before the eyes
• Tearing

Rare

• Eye irritation
• Seeing light flashes
• Watering of the eyes

Incidence not known

• Chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
• Fast heartbeat
• Fever
• Hives, itching, rash
• Hoarseness
• Irritation
• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Nausea
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• Redness of the skin
• Stroke
• Sweating
• Swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• Trouble breathing
• Vomiting

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Vabysmo

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Pharmacologic Class: Faricimab

Find detailed information on biosimilars for this medication.

An ophthalmologist (eye doctor) will give you this medicine as a shot into the eye. This medicine is usually given every 4 weeks (about every 28 days) for at least 4 doses. Some patients may receive additional doses every 4 weeks after the first 4 injections.