Faricimab

Faricimab is a prescription injection used to treat serious eye conditions that can lead to vision loss, including wet age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular oedema (DME). It works by targeting specific proteins inside the eye that cause abnormal blood vessel leakage and swelling. By reducing this leakage, the medicine helps protect your vision and may help maintain or improve your eyesight.

Faricimab is injected directly into the eye by a trained eye specialist, usually every few weeks or months depending on how well your eye responds to treatment. Keeping all scheduled appointments is important because delaying or missing injections may reduce the effectiveness of treatment. Eating a balanced diet rich in leafy green vegetables and protecting your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) light may also help support long-term eye health.

Some people experience mild side effects such as temporary eye discomfort, small floating spots in their vision (floaters), or a brief increase in pressure inside the eye after the injection. These effects usually improve with time. However, seek immediate medical attention if you develop severe eye pain, worsening redness, sudden vision changes, or increasing sensitivity to light, as these may be signs of a serious eye problem.

Before starting treatment, tell your eye specialist if you have an active infection in or around your eye or inflammation inside your eye. Do not receive this medicine if you are allergic to this medicine or any of the ingredients in the injection.

Because this medicine works mainly inside the eye, interactions with oral medicines or alcohol are unlikely. However, smoking may worsen age-related macular degeneration and reduce the benefits of treatment. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, discuss the potential benefits and risks with your doctor before starting treatment.

When used as prescribed, Faricimab may provide the following benefits:

• Helps preserve vision: By reducing fluid leakage and swelling in the retina, it helps slow further vision loss and may improve vision in some people.
• May reduce the number of injections: Many people can gradually extend the time between injections compared with some older treatments, resulting in fewer clinic visits.
• Reduces retinal swelling: Helps decrease swelling in the retina, reducing stress on the delicate tissues responsible for vision.

• Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
• Faricimab is administered by the doctor or nurse in a healthcare setting.
• Do not self-administer.

Common Side Effects (Usually mild)

• Temporary eye pain or discomfort
• Seeing small dark spots or floaters
• Blood on the white of the eye (conjunctival haemorrhage)
• Temporary increase in pressure inside the eye
   

Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)

• Severe eye pain, worsening redness, or extreme sensitivity to light, which may be signs of an eye infection
• Sudden changes in vision, flashes of light, or a shadow or curtain across your vision, which may indicate retinal detachment
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing