[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Intravitreal anti-VEGF agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/intravitreal-anti-vegf-agents/) › Aflibercept

# Aflibercept

## Intravitreal anti-VEGF agents?

Intravitreal anti-VEGF agents

A decoy receptor injected into the eye. It soaks up VEGF so fewer leaky vessels grow in wet macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Intravitreal anti-VEGF agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/intravitreal-anti-vegf-agents/)

**Target**
VEGF-A (and placental growth factor), bound as a soluble decoy

**Used for**
Wet · Diabetic macular oedema

**Key effects**
Feeling of something in the eye · Watery eyes

**Monitor**
Intraocular pressure · Signs of endophthalmitis

**ATC**
S01LA05

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

◆**VEGF-A (and placental growth factor), bound as a soluble decoy**Aflibercept

ⓘ The figure shows human VEGF bound to domain 2 of VEGF receptor 1 (FLT-1), one of the receptor pieces built into aflibercept.

**Target in 3D:** VEGF-A (and placental growth factor), bound as a soluble decoy. PDB structure 1FLT (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1FLT) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Aflibercept is a recombinant fusion protein made of parts of human VEGF receptors 1 and 2 joined to an antibody Fc segment. It works as a soluble decoy: it binds VEGF-A and placental growth factor so they cannot activate receptors on retinal endothelial cells. This reduces abnormal vessel growth and leakage, so macular oedema falls and vision can be kept or improved.

- Aflibercept is injected into the vitreous
- It traps VEGF-A and placental growth factor
- Retinal endothelial receptors are not activated
- Less new-vessel growth and leakage; oedema falls

## Indications

- Wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration [Age-related macular degeneration →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/age-related-macular-degeneration/)
- Diabetic macular oedema and diabetic retinopathy [Diabetic retinopathy →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/)
- Macular oedema after retinal vein occlusion [Central retinal vein occlusion →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/central-retinal-vein-occlusion/)
- Retinopathy of prematurity [Retinopathy of prematurity →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/retinopathy-of-prematurity/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Feeling of something in the eye
- Watery eyes
- Brief blurred vision after the injection

### Serious (rare, important)

- Endophthalmitis: eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, falling vision
- New floaters or flashing lights, which need urgent eye review
- Rise in intraocular pressure
- Arterial events: chest pain, sudden weakness or trouble speaking
- Allergic reaction: rash, hives, trouble breathing

## Contraindications

- Active infection in or around the eye
- Active intraocular inflammation
- Hypersensitivity to aflibercept or any component

## Key interactions

**Other anti-VEGF agents in the same eye**
Same target and same injection risks; they are not combined

## What is monitored

- Intraocular pressure and optic nerve perfusion after each injection
- Signs of endophthalmitis or a retinal problem in the days after
- Visual acuity and retinal imaging at follow-up

## Administration and safety

- Intravitreal injection only, given by a qualified eye specialist under aseptic conditions.
- Several products contain aflibercept under different names and strengths; the exact product ordered is checked, since they are not interchangeable without a prescriber's decision.
- The patient should not drive until vision returns to normal after the injection.

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy should be avoided before and during treatment and for some months after the last injection, with effective contraception.

## Nursing care

- Before the injection, ask about eye infection, redness, swelling or eye inflammation.
- After the injection, check the patient's vision and make sure eye pressure is checked.
- Teach the warning signs: increasing pain, redness, light sensitivity, new floaters or loss of vision, to be reported at once.
- Teach stroke and heart-attack warning signs.
- Remind about effective contraception during treatment and for some months after the last injection.

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Given into the vitreous; it acts locally in the eye and little reaches the blood

## Memory aid

«Aflibercept = a fake receptor»: a decoy that traps VEGF before the retina's real receptors can.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## How does aflibercept block VEGF?

It is a soluble decoy receptor that binds VEGF-A (and placental growth factor) before they reach their receptors.

## Which eye findings rule out an injection that day?

Active infection in or around the eye, or active intraocular inflammation.

## After an injection the patient reports rising eye pain and light sensitivity. What is feared?

Endophthalmitis, which needs urgent eye review.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/aflibercept/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 2

- [Ranibizumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ranibizumab/)
- [Bevacizumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/bevacizumab/)

## Related conditions 4

- [Age-related macular degeneration](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/age-related-macular-degeneration/)
- [Diabetic retinopathy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/)
- [Central retinal vein occlusion](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/central-retinal-vein-occlusion/)
- [Retinopathy of prematurity](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/retinopathy-of-prematurity/)

[← Back to the class: Intravitreal anti-VEGF agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/intravitreal-anti-vegf-agents/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Aflibercept Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a612004.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=S01LA05) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); [RCSB PDB - 1FLT: VEGF IN COMPLEX WITH DOMAIN 2 OF THE FLT-1 RECEPTOR](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1FLT) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/aflibercept/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/aflibercept/