brolucizumab at a glance
Medicine class
Anti-VEGF ophthalmic biologic
Licensed uses
Wet age-related macular degeneration and visual impairment from diabetic macular oedema in adults
Administration
Injection into the vitreous of the eye by a qualified ophthalmologist
Key safety point
New eye pain, redness, light sensitivity or worsening vision needs prompt assessment
What is brolucizumab used for?
Brolucizumab is licensed in adults for:
Neovascular, or wet, age-related macular degeneration.
Visual impairment caused by diabetic macular oedema.
How does brolucizumab work?
Brolucizumab binds to vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), preventing it from activating its receptors. This reduces abnormal blood-vessel growth and leakage, helping to lessen fluid accumulation in the retina.
brolucizumab preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 120 mg/mL
How to take brolucizumab
Brolucizumab is not self-administered. An ophthalmologist injects it into the eye under aseptic conditions after cleaning and numbing the eye; eye pressure may be checked afterwards. Unless the clinic advises otherwise, routine medicines, food and drink can usually continue normally before the procedure. Do not drive until any temporary visual disturbance has cleared.
Tell the eye team about eye infection or inflammation, glaucoma, previous eye treatments or surgery, allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and any recent heart attack or stroke.
Arrange transport if dilating drops or the injection are likely to blur your vision.
Follow the treating clinic's aftercare instructions.
brolucizumab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Blurred or reduced vision
- Floaters
- Eye pain or discomfort
- Bleeding or redness on the white of the eye
- Raised pressure inside the eye
- Cataract
- Inflammation within the eye
- Retinal or vitreous bleeding
- Allergic reactions such as rash, itching or hives
Get urgent medical advice
- Eye infection, particularly with increasing pain, redness and marked loss of vision
- Retinal vasculitis or retinal vascular occlusion, which may cause sudden or worsening vision loss
- Retinal tear or detachment
- Severe intraocular inflammation
- Serious loss of vision
brolucizumab in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited. Despite low systemic exposure after an eye injection, VEGF inhibition could affect fetal development. Brolucizumab should be used during pregnancy only when a specialist considers the potential benefit greater than the potential risk. People who could become pregnant should discuss effective contraception and contact their specialist promptly if pregnancy occurs.
brolucizumab while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether brolucizumab enters human milk, and a risk to the breastfed infant cannot be excluded. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for a period after it ends; the ophthalmology and maternity teams should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding against the need for treatment.
brolucizumab interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed. Tell the ophthalmology team about all medicines and eye treatments.
Other anti-VEGF medicines
Brolucizumab should not be administered concurrently with another ocular or systemic anti-VEGF medicine because supporting safety data are unavailable.
Common questions about brolucizumab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can brolucizumab cure wet age-related macular degeneration?
It does not remove the underlying condition. By blocking VEGF-A, it can control abnormal vessel leakage and swelling, helping to preserve or improve vision in some people.
Does a brolucizumab eye injection hurt?
The eye is numbed before injection. Brief pressure, scratching or discomfort may occur, but significant or increasing pain afterwards needs urgent assessment.
Can I drive after a brolucizumab injection?
Do not drive or operate machinery while your vision remains blurred or otherwise affected by the injection or eye examination.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.