What is Izervay prescribed for?
Izervay is prescribed to treat geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration.
What is the name of the drug and what does it do?
Izervay, pronounced EYE-ZER-VEY, (generic name: avacincaptad pegol) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA), which is a severe form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that leads to vision loss.
Izervay helps slow the progression of this condition.
How does it work?
Izervay works by inhibiting a protein called complement C5. This protein plays a role in inflammation and tissue damage in the eye.
By blocking C5, Izervay reduces the damage to retinal cells, thereby slowing the progression of geographic atrophy and helping to preserve vision.
What did the research discover?
Clinical trials, including the GATHER1 and GATHER2 studies, evaluated the safety and efficacy of Izervay in patients with GA due to AMD.
The studies showed that Izervay significantly reduced the rate of GA growth over 12 months. Patients treated with Izervay experienced a slower progression of their condition compared to those who received a placebo.
The trials demonstrated that Izervay can effectively help manage GA and potentially delay vision loss.
What are some of the side effects?
The side effects listed are from the product manufacturer. As health scientists, we share this information to keep you informed without causing undue worry. Many side effects diminish over time, and not all patients experience them. If prescribed medication, take it as directed and consult your healthcare professional if you have any concerning side effects.
- Conjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding on the surface of the eye)
- Increased intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye)
- Blurred vision
- Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (a more advanced form of AMD)
- Eye pain
- Vitreous floaters (small spots or threads in vision)
- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)
What are the dosage recommendations and how is it prescribed?
The recommended dosage of Izervay is 2 mg, which is equal to 0.1 mL of a 20 mg/mL solution. This should be given as an injection into each affected eye once a month, around every 28 ± 7 days, for up to a year.
It’s crucial that a trained doctor gives the injection in a clean environment to lower the chances of infection and other problems.
Source:
Highlights of Prescribing Information. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/217225s000lbl.pdf. Accessed 16 July 2024.
