Pharmacy
This leaflet is designed to provide patients with more information about Vabysmo, answering some frequently asked questions you may have.
Whether you are due to start treatment with Vabysmo for the first time or have agreed with your clinician that your treatment will change from Lucentis® or Eylea® to Faricimab (Vabysmo®) please be reassured that you can expect the same results.
If you still have any queries after reading this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact us (contact details found at the end of this information).
You can also visit https://www.sps.nhs.uk for further information as well as the Macular Society website: www.macularsociety.org/support
About Vabysmo
Faricimab is a medicine that needs to be injected into the eye. It is used to treat eye conditions which affect the retina, such as wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) and diabetic eye conditions. It belongs to a group of medicines called anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Anti-VEGF) agents.
If you are receiving treatment with Faricimab or your ophthalmic healthcare professional is recommending treatment with Faricimab, it means your eye contains more than normal amounts of a substance called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF).
Too much VEGF causes leaky, abnormal blood vessels. The excess fluid that comes from these blood vessels can build up in your eye and affect your vision by causing swelling and eventually scarring in your retina.
Faricimab blocks the action of VEGF and another protein called Ang-2. By lowering the effects of these two proteins, Faricimab prevents abnormal blood vessels from growing and stops damaged blood vessels from leaking fluid.
How is Vabysmo administered?
Faricimab is given as a course of injections into the eye. A very small amount (0.05ml) is drawn up from a container, under sterile conditions, and injected into the affected eye delivering a 6mg dose of Faricimab
Over time, the injections can stop the growth, and leakage of fluid, from these abnormal blood vessels. The aim is to reduce swelling, prevent further loss of vision and sometimes improve vision. Your ophthalmic healthcare professional will advise on the number and interval of each injection.
How does Vabysmo compare to other anti-VEGF agents prescribed for my condition?
Other anti-VEGF agents include aflibercept (Eylea®), brolucizumab (Beovu®), bevacizumab (Avastin®) and ranibizumab (Ongavia®). Your ophthalmic healthcare professional will have discussed your treatment options with you and advised which medicine is best for your condition.
How is Vabysmo made?
Faricimab is a biological medicine. Biological medicines are medicines made or derived from living cells. Biological medicines were first used to treat people with serious illnesses in the UK over 20 years ago and they have improved the lives of millions of people worldwide.
What are the side effects?
All versions of Faricimab can cause similar side effects. If you experience any problems with your treatment, report it straight away to your treating ophthalmology clinician, nurse, or pharmacist.
Some common side effects that could occur include:
- Red eye (there is usually a bleed or bruise on the white part of the eye at the site of injection, which clears in a week or two).
- Sore and gritty eye (slight ache and discomfort lasting a day or two).
- ‘Blobs’ or ‘small specks’ in your vision (‘floaters’) might be seen for a few days after the injection. You may also experience transient flashing lights or swirls of light immediately after the injection.
Is the injection procedure any different?
The injection procedure is the same. The only difference is that Vabysmo® comes in a vial, however our nurse practitioners have received updated training on administration and are competent.
As mentioned previously, you can also contact us using the details at the end of this information.
Where to find us
Eye Outpatients, Retinal Therapy and Eye Day Unit
The James Cook University Hospital
Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW
Eye Outpatients
Friarage Hospital
Bullamoor Road , Northallerton, DL6 1JG
Contact us
If you require further information please contact the South Tees Hospitals Medical Retina Direct telephone helpline
Telephone: 01642 850850, Extension: 58324 or 07467 439208
Monday to Friday, 8.00am until 6pm
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]