Izervay (avacincaptad pegol) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat an eye condition called geographical atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration. The drug comes as a liquid solution that’s injected into your eye. It’s usually given once a month.
Izervay is prescribed to adults to treat geographic atrophy caused by age-related macular degeneration.
The active ingredient in Izervay is avacincaptad pegol. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Izervay belongs to a group of drugs called complement blockers.
This article describes the dosage of Izervay, as well as its strength and how it’s administered. To learn more about Izervay, see this in-depth article.
This section describes the usual dosage of Izervay. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Izervay’s form?
Izervay is available as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection directly into the eye (also called an intravitreal injection).
What strength does Izervay come in?
Izervay comes in one strength: 20 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL). It comes in a single-dose vial.
What is the usual dosage of Izervay?
Your doctor will start by prescribing a standard dosage of Izervay. The standard dosage is 2 mg (0.1 mL of the 20 mg/mL liquid solution) into each affected eye once per month.
The information below describes the dosage that is commonly prescribed or recommended. But be sure to follow the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for geographic atrophy
The usual Izervay dosage for adults with geographic atrophy is 2 mg (0.1 mL of the 20 mg/mL liquid solution) injected into each affected eye once a month for up to 12 months.
Is Izervay prescribed long term?
Yes, Izervay is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment for up to 12 months. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely receive it long term for up to 12 months.
Izervay is available as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection directly into the eye. You’ll receive these injections at your doctor’s office or a clinic once a month. After receiving your injections, you must avoid driving or using machinery until your vision returns to usual.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Izervay, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you miss an appointment to receive a dose of Izervay, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. You can receive Izervay once every 21–35 days.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Izervay’s dosage.
Is Izervay’s dosage similar to the dosage of Syfovre?
The forms of each drug are similar. Izervay and Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) are both liquid solutions that doctors inject directly into the eye. Izervay injections are given once every month, and Syfovre injections are given once every 25–60 days.
The dose for each drug also differs. The strength of Izervay is 20 mg/mL, and Syfovre’s strength is 150 mg/mL. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Izervay to start working?
Izervay starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel it working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition. Your doctor may notice an improvement after 6 months of treatment.
If you have other questions about what to expect from your Izervay treatment, talk with your doctor.
The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by Izervay’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Izervay without your doctor’s recommendation. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Do I need to stop taking any medications before receiving Izervay injections?
- How many doses of Izervay do I need to notice a difference?
- When can I stop receiving Izervay injections?
To learn more about Izervay, see this article:
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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.