Izervay (avacincaptad pegol) is a brand-name eye injection. It’s prescribed to treat geographic atrophy caused by age-related macular degeneration in adults. Izervay can cause side effects, such as blurred vision.

Izervay can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Izervay in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Mild side effects can occur with Izervay use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Izervay’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Izervay include:

  • blurred vision
  • eye bleeding appearing as a red spot on the white of your eye
  • eye pain
  • eye floaters (tiny specks in your vision)
  • blepharitis (swelling around your eyelashes)

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while receiving Izervay and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Izervay may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Izervay’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Izervay, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • retinal detachment (seperation of the retina from the back of the eye), which may include symptoms such as:
    • sudden increase in the number of eye floaters
    • brief flashes of light in your outer vision
    • blurred vision
  • increased risk of neovascular AMD, which may include symptoms such as:
    • blank spots in your vision
    • visual distortion, causing straight lines to appear wavy
    • colors appearing dull
  • increase in eye pressure*
  • endophthalmitis*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Izervay injectable solution can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep receiving the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Izervay, your doctor may recommend a different medication instead.

Izervay may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do side effects of Izervay compare with those seen with Syfovre?

Both Izervay and Syfovre are eye injections used to treat geographic atrophy caused by AMD. They work similarly to one another to manage this condition. Because of this, they can cause some similar side effects.

For example, side effects reported with Syfovre include eye floaters, eye pain, and endophthalmitis (a serious eye infection). These side effects have also been reported with Izervay.

Syfovre may also cause other side effects, such as keratitis and posterior capsule opacification (an eye condition that can cause cloudy vision). These side effects were not reported with Izervay.

For more information about how Izervay compares with Syfovre, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Izervay cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Long-term side effects include those that may start at any time you’re taking a drug, even if you’ve taken it for a long time. It also includes side effects that may not go away, even after you stop taking the drug.

An example of a long-term side effect reported in Izervay’s clinical trials is retinal detachment. Retinal detachment can cause long-term vision loss if not treated right away. Izervay can also increase the risk of neovascular AMD, a serious and ongoing eye condition.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible side effects of Izervay and how long they may last.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Izervay may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Izervay.

Increased eye pressure

Temporary increase in eye pressure was commonly reported in clinical trials of Izervay. This usually occurred immediately after Izervay was given. Increased eye pressure doesn’t usually cause symptoms.

What you can do

Your doctor will check your eye pressure before you receive Izervay. They may treat your eye pressure if it’s high before starting treatment. They’ll also check your eye pressure after you receive the drug.

Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about increased eye pressure and Izervay.

Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis is a serious eye infection that can occur with medications injected into the eye. But it isn’t clear how often this side effect occurred in clinical trials of Izervay. If not treated quickly, endophthalmitis can lead to permanent eye damage.

Endophthalmitis may cause symptoms such as:

What you can do

To reduce this risk, your doctor will likely give you an antimicrobial medication before your Izervay injection.

Talk with your doctor right away if you experience any of the above symptoms after your injection. Your doctor will likely prescribe medications if you have an infection. Because you may be experiencing visual changes and disturbances, your doctor may recommend you not to drive or use machinery until after your vision has returned to normal.

Below is important information you should consider before receiving Izervay.

Precautions

Before receiving Izervay, discuss your health history with your doctor. Izervay may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • inflammation or swelling inside your eye
  • current infection in or around your eye
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.