Beovu Side Effects

Prescribed to help treat chronic eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Diabetic Macular Edema, Beovu can come with the risk of some eye-related side effects.

As of September 2024, the most common Beovu side effects reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were vitreous floaters, impaired vision, blurred vision, eye inflammation and reduced visual acuity. These five side effects accounted for 76.44% of all reported reactions.

It’s important to tell your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your vision or experience eye pain. Using drugs like Beovu may also put you at risk for blood clots.

Disclaimer: Reports sent to the FDA don’t necessarily mean the drug caused an adverse event. Consult a health care professional before stopping or changing medication.

Beovu’s label highlights five common side effects, all reported in 1% or fewer of Phase 3 clinical trial participants.

Using Beovu can lead to severe side effects, especially in the eyes. The Beovu label lists six specific side effects that you should be alert for if you are prescribed Beovu.

Report any of these symptoms to your doctor immediately. They can be early indications of serious long-term or life-threatening conditions.

According to its label, Beovu can trigger an immune response, with 53% to 76% of patients developing antibodies after treatment. This may lead to eye inflammation, retinal vasculitis or vascular occlusion. These risks can occur even after the first injection but don’t affect the drug’s effectiveness.

In 2020, Novartis updated Beovu’s label with new safety information about vascular occlusion and retinal vasculitis.

On April 8, 2020, Novartis announced the conclusion of a safety review of post-marketing cases, which included an external, independent Safety Review Committee.

Before the label update, some people who received Beovu injections experienced retinal vascular occlusion or retinal vasculitis. Novartis, however, failed to warn health care providers of this risk.

Other medications may also cause retinal damage and vision changes. For instance, Elmiron, a drug used to treat some bladder conditions, lists this side effect in its medication guide.

Certain individuals should avoid using Beovu due to potential risks. If you have an eye infection or an infection around your eyes, Beovu is not recommended. The medication can worsen these infections. Additionally, you should avoid Beovu if you have active inflammation inside your eye, as it can increase inflammation and cause further complications.

Beovu is also unsuitable for people allergic to brolucizumab or any other medication ingredients. Allergic reactions to Beovu can be serious and may include symptoms like rash, itching, hives, redness or severe inflammation inside the eye.

If you have experienced these reactions, avoid using Beovu and discuss alternative treatments with your doctor.

If Beovu is not suitable for you, other options exist to treat chronic eye conditions. Talk with your doctor about which option is best for you.

Vabysmo (faricimab)

Vabysmo is an eye injection that helps treat conditions like wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). It works by blocking proteins that cause abnormal blood vessel growth and swelling in the eye.

Eylea (aflibercept)

Eylea is another injectable alternative for treating retinal diseases, including wet AMD and DME. It helps reduce blood vessel growth to maintain vision.

Susvimo (ranibizumab)

Susvimo is a refillable implant that continuously delivers Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medicine, making it a less frequent treatment option. Inserted by a specialist, this implant reduces the need for monthly injections and may be a more convenient choice for some patients.