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Overview: Syfovre is used to treat an eye condition called geographic atrophy that is caused by age-related macular degeneration. It is injected into your eye by a health care provider who is specially trained to give these injections. It is common to have blurry vision for a short time afterwards. After each injection, do not drive or operate machinery. Call your health care provider right away if you get eye pain or redness, light sensitivity, or if you see flashing lights, floating specks, or wavy lines.

Uses

What is Syfovre used for?

Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) is commonly used for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA), which is an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). People with geographic atrophy have damage to the central part of their retina called the macula, which can cause blurriness or blind spots in their vision.

Syfovre for Geographic Atrophy: What You Need to Know

Syfovre may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Syfovre work (mechanism of action)?

People with geographic atrophy have patches of damaged cells called lesions in their retina. Geographic atrophy cannot be cured, and damage cannot be reversed. Syfovre works by interfering with an overactive immune system that attacks healthy cells in the retina. Syfovre can slow down the progression of the disease.

How is Syfovre supplied (dosage forms)?

Syfovre is available as an injection that is injected into the eye by a health care provider.

How should I store Syfovre?

Syfovre is given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Syfovre?

The most common side effects of Syfovre are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Syfovre that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Syfovre?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Syfovre are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Syfovre may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Eye and Retina Problems. Syfovre can cause an infection in your eye (endophthalmitis) or cause separation of layers of the retina, which is part of your eye (retinal detachment). Syfovre can also cause inflammation of the blood vessels in your retina (retinal vasculitis), or a blood vessel in your eye to become blocked (retinal vascular occlusion), as early as the first dose. Severe inflammation of the blood vessels in your retina may cause severe vision loss. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Eye redness
  • Light sensitivity
  • Eye pain
  • Any change in your vision including blurry vision, small specks floating in your vision, or flashing lights

Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Syfovre may increase your risk for a condition called wet age-related macular degeneration, which can cause vision problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have changes in your vision including blurry vision, wavy or distorted vision, black spots in your vision, or a blind spot in the middle of your vision.

Inflammation of the Eye. Syfovre can cause inflammation in your eye, such as uveitis. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Eye redness
  • Light sensitivity
  • Eye pain
  • Changes in your vision, including small specks floating in your vision

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Syfovre?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Syfovre.

  • Syfovre
  • Pegcetacoplan
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Syfovre.

Eye Infection. Syfovre should not be used if you have an infection in the eye or around the eye.

Eye Swelling. Syfovre should not be used if you have swelling in or around your eye that may include pain or redness.

What should I know about Syfovre before using it?

Severe side effects can occur from Syfovre. Get care right away from your ophthalmologist (eye specialist) if your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, or painful or if you notice any change in your vision such as blurred vision, flashing lights, or distorted shapes.

You may have temporary problems seeing after you receive your dose of Syfovre or after an eye exam. Do not drive or use machinery until your eyesight has recovered.

Use effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy during treatment with Syfovre and for at least 40 days after your last dose.  

What should I tell my health care provider before using Syfovre?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Syfovre is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Vision Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have a history of seeing flashes of light or small specks floating in your vision and notice a sudden increase in the number and size of these specks. 

Glaucoma. Tell your health care provider if you have high pressure in your eye, also called glaucoma.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Syfovre could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Syfovre while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Syfovre passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Syfovre while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Syfovre?

For more information about Syfovre, you can visit the drugmaker's website at syfovre.com or call them at 833-866-3346.

Interactions

Does Syfovre interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Syfovre and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Syfovre.

Does Syfovre interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Syfovre and other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Syfovre?

If you or someone else has used too much Syfovre, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Syfovre?

Syfovre is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you miss an appointment to get your Syfovre dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.