Faricimab side effects

[tallyho]

Hi all I have had injections monthly since 2011 for DMO I had Avastin then Lucentis and then since 2016 Eylea. Last Saturday I was switched to Faricimab it’s def thicker than Eylea. Since then I had tiny floaters in the eye that was injected it’s been a week now and although the number of floaters has gone down I still have some anyone else found this. I have no other side effect.

[Koalajane]

sorry I have never been injected with this new drug. Do you have the number of the eye clinic to contact a medical person who would know more.

I did ask about this new drug a while ago but was told my clinic was holding off using it to see how it goes

[tallyho in reply to Koalajane]

yes I tried phoning them but no reply

I know a lot about this drug as I was on the NICE technology appraisal committee for it but just wondered if anyone else had this side effect.

[springcross]

Hi tallyho. I've been having Faricimab (Vabysmo) injections since December - had No 5 in June). I've had a couple of side effects but the only time I've experienced any floaters was after the first one (I had one floater which resembled a fruit fly but it disappeared after about a week), then again after the last injection in June - I had several floaters like black polo mints which I haven't had for a long time, most of which disappeared during the course of the following week, but I did have one stubborn floater that hung around. That eventually disappeared but yesterday it was back again (and again, I kept thinking it was a fruit fly and trying to bat it away!!☺️) but it's gone again now!! I suspect what you have will eventually disappear but it's best to ask your consultant if you can just to be sure.

[Shimano]

my consultant is refusing to use vabysmo. I am still on eylea. However, I am allergic to iodine and it was worrying to hear that the alternative they use is in short supply. Think I got the last lot. Anyone else got this problem?

[springcross in reply to Shimano]

Hi Shimano. I hope you are well. That's interesting your consultant is refusing to use Vabysmo, has he told you why? Also, do you know what was being used instead of iodine? My consultant has refused to stop using iodine in favour of something else!!!! I know they use Chlorhexidine for some people but I don't know the actual medical name for it. Something was said at my last injection about the alternative and they can no longer get it?? I'm wondering if it's the Chlorhexidine.

[Shimano in reply to springcross]

hi springcross, yes, I think that is the name of my alternative to iodine to which I had a severe reaction. To date I have had no problems with it and worried if supplies are running out. No idea why my consultant won’t use vabysmo. He is very charming when questioned but somehow never gives an answer. However, when I enquired, he did say that the new injection for dry macular has been withdrawn which seems to contradict the information in the very interesting talk given by a consultant via the macular society.

[tallyho in reply to Shimano]

it is and never was approved for dry AMD

[tallyho in reply to tallyho]

dry macular ? Oedema, drusen there are lots of macular diseases why is it always shortened to ‘ I have macular’

[Shimano in reply to tallyho]

there is a very recent injection being trialed for dry which was supposed to delay progress of condition a bit.

[tallyho in reply to Shimano]

dry AMD? Yes there is but I want to state I myself the original poster do not have dry AMD or wet AMD there are other conditions that have eye injections not just those with wet AMD. Faricimab is not for Dry AMD but is used for Wet AMD.

[Shimano in reply to tallyho]

I know.

[Shimano in reply to tallyho]

I know. But there is a potential new injection for dry macular which would be the first ever Hope of treatment for dry macular.

[tallyho in reply to Shimano]

it is so exciting try is new treatment for dry AMD I really hope it is successful for those that have it

[springcross in reply to Shimano]

Hi Shimano. It must have been that being referred to at my last injection as my consultant said there wasn't anything else available so it would be the iodine (after telling me the iodine wouldn't be stopped!). I haven't been able to find out anything about the Chlorhexidine but will keep trying. Interesting that your consultant doesn't give an answer about Vabysmo, I suppose each consultant has their own view about the drugs used. Shame about the drug for dry AMD, a lot of people will be upset as they've waited so long for a treatment to arrive, but it will be for a very good reason I would think. I must watch the talk given by the consultant via Macular Society. Take care Shimano. x

[tallyho in reply to Shimano]

interested in this as it is dual approved for AMD and DMO it may also be a funding issue May I ask what eye condition you have?

[Shimano in reply to tallyho]

ps. I have wet in both eyes and also dry. However, they no longer inject the right eye for wet as it seems to have dried. However, this has very poor vision due to dry macular which was why I was interested in the new treatment.

[JJnan]

i've had 4 inj of faricimab...5th due on Fri...i have noticed tiny floaters that don't go away.....but have vitreous detachment since ladt week....don't know if it's connected ....x

[tallyho in reply to JJnan]

I had PVDs binocularly years ago so not that. Never had so many floaters with any other drug and I have had all the anti vegf going

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Hello Tallyho,

Ideally you should report your floaters to the macular clinic, as you have had them for more than 2 days post injection. They can then advise you appropriately.

The following is a link to our webinar on Faricimab:

macularsociety.org/support/...

Kind regards,

Macular Society

Advice and Information Service

Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

macularsociety.org

[tallyho]

thank you I went to the Macular Clinic yesterday

The Ophthalmologists could see air bubbles, my PVD and concluded it was this as well as the medication that was causing the issue.

I will rewatch the webiner thanks so much for posting it

[Thisisapain]

I have Eylea every 4 to 5 weeks for 3 years, can’t seem to make it to week 6. Has anyone had luck going longer stretches of time on Faricimab?

[tallyho]

I have just started on Faricimab I was in Eylea every 4 weeks for 7 years. To start off there are 4 loading injections with Faricimab then it’s a treat and extend regime not sure if I will be able to extend myself.

[yotboy]

Just seen your post. I've been on Lucentis /eylea /and recently Ongavia for Wet AMD since 2014. I often get floaters after injection. They mostly disappear within several days but over the last year or so (whatever drug) some are persistent but vey small and last right up to the next injection. I liked the fruit fly comparison!

I have discussed this with Moorfield and been told not to worry about it. It's better than the alternative!

[tallyho in reply to yotboy]

Yes I have had 109 injections in my right eye now Avastin the Eylea going back to 2011. The floaters were the most I have ever seen. I was checked on day 11 after my first loading injection of Faricimab and it was air bubbles that could still be seen ! . I had my second Faricimab yesterday and she was much more careful she said this drug is a lot more frothy than the others. Today no floaters so it really worked. I wish you well. I have DMO myself not AMD but I think the outcome would have been the same

[Birchermu]

Hi tallyho

I’ve only had faricimab injections (x3 so far) for wet AMD. After the first jab I had loads of floaters like polo mints with black rings. After a month my eye was scanned and checked out at hospital and no signs of retinal tear etc. The floaters are still there but less annoying. I’ve had floaters since having a retinal tear in 2004 but they were more like ink blots and random shapes.

[tallyho in reply to Birchermu]

So Faricimab is a lot thicker than other IVT’s and so it’s easier into get air bubbles. It needs to be treated slightly differently from other IVTs as it’s so thick for example they let it rest a bit longer in the vial before drawing it up. I only had air bubbles with the first injection by the second they had learnt how to do it without getting so many tiny bubbles. I am back in Eylea as Farcimab did not work for me probably becuse I have ischemia in that eye too. I wish you well