Ahzantive

Pronunciation: ah-zant-iv
Generic name: aflibercept-mrbb 
Dosage form: single-dose vial for ophthalmic injection.
Drug class: Anti-angiogenic ophthalmic agents

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jul 2, 2024.

What is Ahzantive?

Ahzantive (aflibercept-mrbb) is an injectable vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor that is a biosimilar to Eylea (aflibercept), and is approved to treat the following eye conditions:

• Neovascular (Wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO) 
• Diabetic macular edema (DME) 
• Diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Ahzantive works to treat eye conditions by binding to VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor-A) and acting as a decoy receptor, trapping and blocking VEGF. By reducing VEGF levels, Ahzantive helps to slow the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye, decrease leakage from these blood vessels, prevent further vision loss, and potentially improve vision in some cases. This helps to preserve vision and prevent blindness caused by these eye conditions.

Ahzantive was approved on June 28, 2024. A biosimilar is a biological product that is like the reference biologic (in this case Eylea) and for which there are no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety, purity, and potency. An interchangeable biosimilar is one that can be substituted for the reference product at the pharmacy level, without contacting the prescriber, subject to state laws. Interchangeable biosimilars to Eylea include Opuviz and Yesafili.

Ahzantive side effects

The most common side effects of Ahzantive affecting 5% of more people prescribed it include:

• conjunctival hemorrhage (a broken blood vessel in the eye)
• eye pain
• cataracts
• vitreous detachment (the separation of the vitreous gel from the retina)
• vitreous floaters (small dark shapes that float across your vision)
• increased pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure).

Call your healthcare provider at once if you have experience:

• eye pain or redness, swelling around your eyes

• sudden vision problems

• seeing flashes of light or "floaters" in your vision, seeing halos around lights

• your eyes become more sensitive to light

• chest pain

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body

• sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with speech or balance.

Serious side effects and warnings

Ahzantive can cause serious side effects such as allergic reactions, a serious inflammation of the eye, retinal detachments, eye infections, and an increase in eye pressure.

You should not use Ahzantive if you are allergic to aflibercept, Ahzantive, Eylea, Yesafili, Opuviz, or any of the inactive ingredients in the Ahzantive preparation. Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Yesafili such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

There is a possibility that endophthalmitis (a serious inflammation of the intraocular fluids, usually due to infection) and retinal detachments may occur following intravitreal injections. Call your doctor at once if you have eye pain or redness, swelling or puffiness around your eyes, sensitivity to light, or sudden vision problems at any time during treatment. Arterial thromboembolic events are also possible following intravitreal VEGF inhibitor injections.

Increases in intraocular pressure have been seen within 60 minutes of an intravitreal injection.

There is a potential risk of arterial thromboembolic events (blood clots), such as a nonfatal stroke, nonfatal heart attack, or vascular death following the use of VEGF inhibitors such as Ahzantive.

Temporary visual disturbances may occur following an intravitreal injection with Ahzantive, or the associated eye examinations. Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision recovers.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before using Ahzantive

You should not receive Ahzantive if you are allergic to aflibercept, Ahzantive, Eylea, Yesafili, Opuviz, or any of the inactive ingredients in Ahzantive, or if you have:

• swelling or redness inside your eyes
• any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection in or around your eyes.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

• have had a blood clot or stroke
• have glaucoma or other conditions that increase pressure inside your eyes
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding.

Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Ahzantive. You may need to undertake a pregnancy test if you are a female with childbearing potential. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy before your first dose of this medicine. Keep using birth control during treatment and for at least 3 months after your last Ahzantive injection.

There is no data regarding the effects of Ahzantive on human fertility.

Breastfeeding

Do not breastfeed while you are using Ahzantive.

How is Ahzantive administered?

Ahzantive is given as an injection into your eye. Your doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before giving you the injection. You will receive this injection in your doctor's office or another clinic setting.

For a short time after your injection, your eyes will be checked periodically to make sure the injection has not caused any side effects.

Dosage for Ahzantive

The usual recommended dose of Ahzantive in adults is 2mg (0.05mL of a 40 mg/mL solution) into each affected eye.

• An Ahzantive injection is usually administered every 4 weeks (approximately every 28 days, monthly) initially, which may be extended to once every 8 weeks (2 months), depending on the condition.
• In some patients, treatment may be extended to one dose every 12 weeks, although this is not as effective as the recommended every 8-week dosing. Other patients may need to continue on the 4 weekly dosing indefinitely. 
• Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor to reschedule if you miss an appointment for your Ahzantive injection. The injection can be given as frequently as every 25 days.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose is unlikely because Ahzantive is administered by healthcare professionals. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid?

Ahzantive may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

What other drugs will affect Ahzantive?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will affect Ahzantive. However, many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Storage

Store Ahzantive in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).

Do not freeze. Do not use it beyond the date stamped on the carton and container label.

Store in the original carton until time of use to protect from light.

Ingredients

Ahzantive ingredients

Active: aflibercept-mrbb 40 mg/mL.

Inactive: histidine (0.046 mg), L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate (0.043 mg), polysorbate 20 (0.015 mg), sodium chloride (0.117 mg), sucrose (2.5 mg) and water for injection with a pH of 6.2. 

The single-dose glass vial is designed to deliver 0.05 mL (50 microliters) of the solution containing 2 mg of aflibercept-mrbb

Ahzantive does not contain an anti-microbial preservative.

Who makes Ahzantive?

Formycon AG  makes Ahzantive.

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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