AFLIBERCEPT

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Aflibercept Adverse Events: High Concern for Visual Complications

43,844 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About AFLIBERCEPT

AFLIBERCEPT is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Based on analysis of 43,844 FDA adverse event reports, AFLIBERCEPT has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for AFLIBERCEPT include DEATH, VISUAL IMPAIRMENT, OFF LABEL USE, BLINDNESS, ENDOPHTHALMITIS. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for AFLIBERCEPT.

AI Safety Analysis

Aflibercept has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 43,844 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Death, Visual Impairment, Off Label Use. Of classified reports, 82.0% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Aflibercept is associated with a high rate of serious visual impairment and blindness reports.

Visual complications such as eye pain and blurred vision are frequently reported. The drug is also linked to increased intraocular pressure and retinal hemorrhage.

Patients taking Aflibercept should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Aflibercept should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing ocular conditions, and regular eye examinations are recommended. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Aflibercept received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 82.0% serious event ratio across 29,872 classified reports. The score accounts for 43,844 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DEATH7,853 reports
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT2,013 reports
OFF LABEL USE1,509 reports
BLINDNESS1,459 reports
ENDOPHTHALMITIS1,372 reports
VISUAL ACUITY REDUCED1,244 reports
EYE PAIN1,181 reports
VISION BLURRED1,161 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,132 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE1,078 reports
BLINDNESS UNILATERAL1,068 reports
BLINDNESS TRANSIENT1,028 reports
EYE INFLAMMATION970 reports
EYE HAEMORRHAGE797 reports
VITREOUS FLOATERS781 reports
INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE INCREASED753 reports
RETINAL HAEMORRHAGE578 reports
CATARACT544 reports
DIARRHOEA460 reports
NON INFECTIOUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS450 reports
UVEITIS427 reports
VITRITIS422 reports
HEADACHE411 reports
OCULAR HYPERAEMIA410 reports
HYPERTENSION383 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT349 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE349 reports
EYE DISORDER336 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN333 reports
HOSPITALISATION313 reports
EYE IRRITATION300 reports
WRONG TECHNIQUE IN PRODUCT USAGE PROCESS296 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION283 reports
FALL283 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION283 reports
FATIGUE273 reports
VITRECTOMY273 reports
LACRIMATION INCREASED266 reports
MALAISE264 reports
NEOVASCULAR AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION260 reports
VITREOUS HAEMORRHAGE260 reports
EYE INFECTION253 reports
MACULAR OEDEMA249 reports
ASTHENIA247 reports
SUBRETINAL FLUID246 reports
RETINAL OEDEMA239 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION238 reports
RETINAL DETACHMENT227 reports
NAUSEA226 reports
CATARACT OPERATION224 reports
NEUTROPENIA216 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION213 reports
PAIN211 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED203 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION203 reports
PHOTOPHOBIA198 reports
OCULAR DISCOMFORT195 reports
DIZZINESS192 reports
DYSPNOEA186 reports
DEVICE USE ISSUE179 reports
GLAUCOMA178 reports
EYE SWELLING177 reports
PNEUMONIA174 reports
ANTERIOR CHAMBER CELL173 reports
VITREOUS OPACITIES173 reports
VOMITING170 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION159 reports
PYREXIA159 reports
RETINAL ARTERY OCCLUSION156 reports
IRIDOCYCLITIS154 reports
MACULAR DEGENERATION154 reports
REFUSAL OF TREATMENT BY PATIENT152 reports
DETACHMENT OF RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM144 reports
METAMORPHOPSIA144 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED143 reports
IRITIS140 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION138 reports
MACULAR HOLE136 reports
AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION134 reports
ANAEMIA134 reports
DRY EYE134 reports
NO ADVERSE EVENT134 reports
UNEVALUABLE EVENT132 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN131 reports
DECREASED APPETITE129 reports
FOREIGN BODY SENSATION IN EYES125 reports
VISUAL FIELD DEFECT125 reports
INTENTIONAL DOSE OMISSION122 reports
INJURY ASSOCIATED WITH DEVICE120 reports
HYPOACUSIS119 reports
MULTIPLE USE OF SINGLE USE PRODUCT117 reports
RENAL FAILURE116 reports
PULMONARY EMBOLISM115 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED115 reports
ANTERIOR CHAMBER INFLAMMATION112 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION112 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA112 reports
EYE OPERATION111 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION111 reports
OCULAR HYPERTENSION110 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Blindness and visual impairment are the most serious and frequent adverse reactions.
  • Eye pain and blurred vision are common, indicating potential ocular irritation.
  • Increased intraocular pressure and retinal hemorrhage suggest potential ocular hypertension.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 5,542, Male: 5,138, Unknown: 116. The most frequently reported age groups are age 72 (221 reports), age 80 (220 reports), age 78 (211 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 29,872 classified reports for AFLIBERCEPT:

  • Serious: 24,504 reports (82.0%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 5,368 reports (18.0%)
Serious 82.0%Non-Serious 18.0%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female5,542 (51.3%)
Male5,138 (47.6%)
Unknown116 (1.1%)

Reports by Age

Age 72221 reports
Age 80220 reports
Age 78211 reports
Age 73209 reports
Age 79208 reports
Age 64195 reports
Age 74192 reports
Age 76189 reports
Age 70187 reports
Age 71183 reports
Age 75183 reports
Age 65182 reports
Age 82176 reports
Age 81173 reports
Age 68171 reports
Age 67164 reports
Age 69162 reports
Age 77161 reports
Age 83159 reports
Age 84159 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Aflibercept should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing ocular conditions, and regular eye examinations are recommended.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Aflibercept, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include death, visual impairment, off label use, blindness, endophthalmitis. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor visual acuity and report any changes to your healthcare provider. Follow prescribed dosing instructions to avoid dose omissions or incorrect administration. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA closely monitors adverse events for aflibercept, and any new or worsening visual symptoms should be reported immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Aflibercept?

The FDA has received approximately 43,844 adverse event reports associated with Aflibercept. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Aflibercept?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Aflibercept include Death, Visual Impairment, Off Label Use, Blindness, Endophthalmitis. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Death (7,853 reports), Visual Impairment (2,013 reports), Off Label Use (1,509 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Aflibercept.

What percentage of Aflibercept adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 29,872 classified reports, 24,504 (82.0%) were classified as serious and 5,368 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Aflibercept (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Aflibercept break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 5,542, Male: 5,138, Unknown: 116. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Aflibercept?

The most frequently reported age groups for Aflibercept adverse events are: age 72: 221 reports, age 80: 220 reports, age 78: 211 reports, age 73: 209 reports, age 79: 208 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Aflibercept?

The primary manufacturer associated with Aflibercept adverse event reports is Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Aflibercept?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Aflibercept include: Visual Acuity Reduced, Eye Pain, Vision Blurred, Drug Ineffective, Product Dose Omission Issue. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Aflibercept?

You can report adverse events from Aflibercept to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Aflibercept's safety score and what does it mean?

Aflibercept has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Aflibercept is associated with a high rate of serious visual impairment and blindness reports.

What are the key safety signals for Aflibercept?

Key safety signals identified in Aflibercept's adverse event data include: Blindness and visual impairment are the most serious and frequent adverse reactions.. Eye pain and blurred vision are common, indicating potential ocular irritation.. Increased intraocular pressure and retinal hemorrhage suggest potential ocular hypertension.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Aflibercept interact with other drugs?

Aflibercept should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing ocular conditions, and regular eye examinations are recommended. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Aflibercept.

What should patients know before taking Aflibercept?

Monitor visual acuity and report any changes to your healthcare provider. Follow prescribed dosing instructions to avoid dose omissions or incorrect administration.

Are Aflibercept side effects well-documented?

Aflibercept has 43,844 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Visual complications such as eye pain and blurred vision are frequently reported. The volume of reports for Aflibercept reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Aflibercept?

The FDA closely monitors adverse events for aflibercept, and any new or worsening visual symptoms should be reported immediately. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

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Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.