How long does Eylea or Eylea HD take to work?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 1, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Eylea and Eylea HD usually work within 3 months, with some people noticing improvements in as little as one month of treatment, depending on the condition being treated. Some conditions may take up to 6 months before a significant difference is seen. Many trials for Eylea only reported on results after 1 year of treatment and these report significant improvements in vision and the ability to read and see letters more clearly after this length of time for conditions such as Wet AMD, Diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy. Improvements in vision were maintained for the length of the trial (4 years in some instances).

For premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a leading cause of childhood blindness, Eylea may take up to 52 weeks to work. Two Phase 3 randomized trials FIREFLEYE (N=113) and BUTTERFLEYE (N=120) reported that approximately 80% of Eylea-treated infants achieved an absence of both active ROP and unfavorable structural outcomes after 52 weeks, which was significantly more than what would’ve been expected with placebo.

For diabetic macular edema specifically, 58% of patients had an improvement in their visual acuity measurements at 6 months compared to 6% in the control group. At one year, 80% of patients receiving Eylea improved compared to 15% in the control group. Patients in the Eylea groups gained, on average, the ability to read about two additional lines (15 more letters) on an eye chart compared with almost no change in the control group. In addition, those who received Eylea reduced the risk of continuing to a more serious stage of diabetic retinopathy.

A trial of Eylea HD for neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration of 48 weeks duration reported a mean change in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) for Eylea HD of 8.8 for Eylea HD administered every 12 weeks, 7.9 for Eylea HD administered every 16 weeks, and 9.2 for Eylea 2 mg administered every 8 weeks. All dosage regimens were maintenance regimens administered following 3 initial monthly doses. Improvements in all dosing regimens were noted in as little as 4 weeks.

Does Medicare cover Eylea injections?

Medicare usually covers costs of Eylea or Eylea HD after you meet your yearly Part B deductible. Then you will usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the drug and any medical services. Your costs may vary depending on if you have insurance copays, coinsurance or administration fees. Continue reading

What is the difference between Eylea and Eylea HD?

Eylea HD is a higher dose, longer-acting formulation of Eylea that has been approved to treat Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). Eylea is approved to treat these conditions in addition to Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Continue reading

When do the Eylea and Eylea HD patents expire?

Eylea patents are due to run out from 2023 to 2039; however, these should not be taken as definite dates as there are many ways drug companies can extend their patents, for example, by changing the formulation of their product. A new Eylea HD patent, US11103552B2 which relates to high concentration VEGF receptor fusion protein containing formulations, has a patent expiry date of 15 May 2039. Continue reading

Drug information

Eylea Information for Consumers
Eylea prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
Side Effects of Eylea (detailed)
Eylea user reviews (70)

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