Syfovre (pegcetacoplan)

Syfovre generic

Syfovre is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Syfovre uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Syfovre to treat certain conditions.

Syfovre for geographic atrophy related to age-related macular degeneration

Syfovre is FDA-approved to treat geographic atrophy due to a certain type of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in adults.

Geographic atrophy explained

AMD is an eye condition that occurs when aging causes damage to a person’s macula. The macula is the center of the retina, which is the thin layer of tissue lining the back of the eye. AMD causes central vision loss that usually worsens over time.

Doctors categorize AMD into two types: dry AMD and wet AMD, with dry AMD being more common. Geographic atrophy is the most advanced stage of dry AMD. This condition may lead to permanent loss of central vision in one or both of your eyes.

Syfovre works to help slow vision loss that occurs with geographic atrophy. You can learn more about this condition by visiting our eye health hub.

Syfovre and children

Syfovre is not FDA-approved for use in children. It’s not known for sure whether the drug is safe or effective for children.

Syfovre cost

As with all medications, the cost of Syfovre can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan and your location.

For additional details about Syfovre and cost, refer to this article.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Syfovre or help to understand your insurance coverage, help is available.

A program called Syfovre ApellisAssist is available for Syfovre. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 888-273-5547 or visit the program website.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Generic version

Syfovre is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Syfovre side effects

Syfovre can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while receiving Syfovre. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Syfovre, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Syfovre, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Syfovre. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Syfovre’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Syfovre can include:

• eye irritation or pain
• eye floaters (specks or dots in your vision)
• eye bleeding, which may appear as a red spot on the surface of your eye
• feeling as though something is in your eye
• cloudiness in the lens of your eye
• inflammation of your cornea (the top layer of your eye)
• mild allergic reaction*

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about allergic reaction and Syfovre, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Syfovre aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

• An increased risk of wet age-related macular degeneration. Symptoms can include:
  • dark spots in your center vision
  • trouble seeing colors or fine details
  • eye sensitivity to light
  • seeing straight lines as wavy
• Detached retina (separation of the back of the eye and retina). Symptoms can include:
  • increased number of eye floaters (specks or dots in your vision)
  • darkness that spreads across your vision
  • brief, sudden flashes of light in your outer vision
• Endophthalmitis (a type of serious eye infection). Symptoms can include:
  • eye redness or pain
  • white or yellow eye discharge
  • blurred vision
  • light sensitivity
• Inflammation of various areas inside the eye. Symptoms can include:
  • eye redness or pain
  • eye floaters
  • eye sensitivity to light
  • blurred vision
• Retinal vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels in the retina) or retinal vascular occlusion (blockage of blood vessels in the retina). Symptoms can include:
  • blurred or distorted vision
  • blind spots
  • eye floaters
  • sudden loss of vision in one eye
• Temporary increase in eye pressure after receiving a Syfovre injection. Symptoms can include:
  • headache
  • eye redness, pain, or irritation
  • blurred vision
• Severe allergic reaction.*

* For details about allergic reaction and Syfovre, see “Allergic reaction” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after receiving Syfovre. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Syfovre, but it can still occur.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
• trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Syfovre, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Syfovre dosage

The following information describes dosages of Syfovre that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

For more information about Syfovre’s dosage, refer to this article.

Drug forms and strengths

Syfovre comes as a solution in a single-use vial, for injection into the eye. It’s available in one strength: 15 milligrams (mg) in 0.1 milliliters (mL) of solution. (The vial contains 150 mg in 1 mL of solution.)

Dosage for geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration

Syfovre is used for geographic atrophy due to a certain type of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The usual dosage for this purpose is one injection of 15 mg/0.1 mL into the affected eye. Each injection is given once every 25–60 days. Your eye specialist will tell you exactly how often you’ll receive injections of Syfovre.

How Syfovre is administered

Syfovre is given as an injection into a specific area of your eye. An eye specialist will give you the injection at their clinic or office. You won’t give yourself injections of the drug.

About receiving Syfovre

Below you’ll find information about receiving Syfovre.

• If you miss a dose: If you miss an appointment to receive your Syfovre injection, call your eye specialist as soon as possible to reschedule.
• Length of use: Syfovre is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Syfovre is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.

Syfovre interactions

Syfovre is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. The manufacturer did not list any interactions in the drug’s prescribing information.

However, this doesn’t mean that interactions won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new drugs could be approved that interact with Syfovre.

Before starting Syfovre treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Things to consider when using Syfovre

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, birth control, and breastfeeding.

Syfovre and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Syfovre should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Syfovre and birth control

It’s not known whether Syfovre is safe to use during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re receiving Syfovre.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” and “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

For females using Syfovre

Females who can become pregnant should use birth control during treatment and for at least 40 days after the last injection.

For males using Syfovre

The manufacturer of Syfovre hasn’t given birth control recommendations for males receiving the drug.

If you’re a male who’s using Syfovre and have a sexual partner who can become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They’ll advise you on your birth control needs while receiving this drug.

Syfovre and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Syfovre should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before receiving this medication.

Common questions about Syfovre

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Syfovre.

Does Syfovre cause long-term side effects?

Yes, Syfovre may cause certain side effects that can lead to long-term vision loss. These side effects may start during treatment and continue for a long time, even after stopping Syfovre treatment.

Specifically, Syfovre may cause:

• an increased risk of wet age-related macular degeneration
• detached retina (separation of the back of the eye and retina)
• endophthalmitis (a type of serious eye infection)

If you have questions about long-term side effects of Syfovre, talk with your doctor.

Is Syfovre the only treatment option for geographic atrophy, or are there alternatives?

No, Syfovre isn’t the only treatment option for geographic atrophy.

Syfovre was the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating geographic atrophy. Since then, the FDA has approved another drug to treat geographic atrophy: Izervay (formerly called Zimura). Izervay’s active ingredient is avacincaptad pegol.

To learn more about Izervay, refer to this article. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out how Syfovre compares with Izervay.

In addition, your doctor can recommend whether alternative treatments for geographic atrophy may be right for you. For example, certain foods and supplements are thought to help slow vision loss that occurs with this condition. These include:

• foods high in folate, such as black-eyed peas, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts
• a combination of zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene supplements

To learn more about treatment options for geographic atrophy, talk with your doctor.

Can Syfovre be used for other eye-related conditions?

Possibly, but these would be off-label uses. Syfovre is only approved to treat geographic atrophy due to a certain type of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

With off-label drug use, a drug approved by the FDA is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Your doctor can recommend whether Syfovre may be prescribed off-label for other eye-related conditions.