Izervay (avacincaptad pegol) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat an eye condition called geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration. The drug is given as an injection into your eye.

Izervay basics

Izervay is a brand-name medication. It contains the active ingredient avacincaptad pegol. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

There are currently no generic versions of Izervay.

Izervay is used in adults to treat geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

With AMD, factors related to aging cause damage to your retina (the light-detecting tissue in your eye). This condition usually gets worse over time, resulting in vision problems.

Izervay treats geographic atrophy, which is the most advanced stage of AMD. With geographic atrophy, some parts of your retina waste away, leading to loss of central vision. (Central vision refers to the ability to see objects directly in front of you.)

An overactive immune system is believed to play a role in retina damage from AMD. Izervay works by blocking certain proteins involved in the immune system. The goal of Izervay treatment is to slow the worsening of retina damage. However, Izervay doesn’t reverse the damage you already have.

Your eye doctor can help determine whether Izervay may be a fit for you.

Like most drugs, Izervay may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Izervay may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor can tell you more about the potential side effects of Izervay. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Izervay can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or read Izervay’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Izervay that have been reported include:

  • eye pain
  • blurred vision
  • eye floaters
  • swelling or irritation around your eyelashes
  • a temporary red or bloody spot on the white part of your eye
  • mild allergic reaction*

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Izervay can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Izervay, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Izervay that have been reported include:

  • endophthalmitis (severe inflammation inside the eye)
  • detached retina
  • increased risk of “wet” age-related macular degeneration (AMD)*
  • brief increase in eye pressure
  • severe allergic reaction†

* Izervay is used to treat geographic atrophy, which is an advanced stage of “dry” AMD. To learn more about wet versus dry AMD, see this article.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Izervay.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Izervay. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Your eye doctor will recommend the dosage of Izervay that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but the dosage you receive will be determined by your doctor.

Form and strength

Izervay comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection into your eye. It comes in one strength of 2 milligrams in 0.1 milliliters of solution (2 mg/0.1 mL).

Recommended dosage

You’ll receive one Izervay injection into your affected eye. Izervay injections are usually given once per month.

How it’s given

You’ll receive Izervay injections at your doctor’s office or a clinic. For more details about what to expect and how to prepare for your appointment, check out the Izervary website.

Questions about receiving Izervay

Below are some common questions about receiving Izervay.

  • What if I miss a dose of Izervay? If you miss an appointment to receive an Izervay injection, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule.
  • Will I need to use Izervay long term? Most likely. If you and your doctor determine that Izervay is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely continue receiving it once per month over the long term.

Below is important information to know when considering treatment with Izervay.

Interactions

Combining a drug with certain other medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Izervay 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.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Izervay during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Izervay treatment.

Warnings

Izervay can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Izervay is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Izervay. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

  • current infection in or around your eye
  • swelling inside the eye
  • previous allergic reaction to Izervay
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Izervay.

Does Izervay cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Examples of side effects reported in Izervay’s studies that may be long term include:

You and your doctor can discuss your risk of long-term side effects with Izervay and whether this drug is right for you.

* Izervay is used to treat geographic atrophy, which is an advanced stage of “dry” AMD. To learn more about wet versus dry AMD, see this article.

How does Izervay compare with Syfovre?

Izervay and pegcetacoplan (Syfovre) are similar medications that belong to the same group of drugs.

Izervay and Syfovre are both used to treat geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Both drugs come as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection into the eye by an eye doctor.

One difference between these drugs is their dosing schedule. Izervay injections are given once per month, while Syfovre injections are given once every 25–60 days.

If you have other questions about how Izervay and Syfovre compare, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether one of these drugs is right for you.

Is Izervay used for cataracts?

No, Izervay is not used to treat cataracts. Izervay is prescribed to treat geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in adults.

Cataracts occur when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurry vision. Currently, there are no prescription eyedrops or injections approved to treat cataracts. Surgery is an option to replace the cloudy lens with a clear, artificial lens.

To learn more about treatment options for cataracts, such as cataract surgery, talk with your doctor.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Izervay. What you’ll pay for Izervay may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan.

There may also be costs associated with visiting your eye doctor to receive Izervay injections.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor. A program called IZERVAY My Way may also be available.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

If you have questions about taking Izervay, talk with your doctor. Questions you may want to ask include:

  • Do I have a higher risk of side effects from Izervay than others?
  • How and when will you be able to determine whether Izervay is working for me?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford Izervay?

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.