Key takeaways

  • Eylea and Eylea HD are prescription medications used to treat various eye conditions. The dosage and frequency of injections of these drugs vary based on the specific condition and the form of the drug prescribed.
  • The typical treatment plan for Eylea and Eylea HD involves initial frequent doses, followed by a maintenance schedule with less frequent injections that can be adjusted by your doctor based on your specific needs.
  • While Eylea is approved for retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants, Eylea HD is not, and the treatment is typically long-term if it’s determined to be safe and effective by a healthcare professional.

Eylea and Eylea HD (aflibercept) are prescription drugs used to treat certain types of eye conditions. Each comes as a liquid solution given as an injection into the eye.

The dosing schedules can vary depending on the conditions they’re being used to treat and which drug is prescribed.

The active ingredient in Eylea and Eylea HD is aflibercept. (Eylea HD means Eylea “higher dose.” Eylea HD contains a higher dose of the active ingredient than Eylea.)

These drugs are biologic medications made from living cells. They belong to a group of drugs called vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, which are commonly called “anti-VEGF drugs.”

Eylea uses

Specifically, Eylea and Eylea HD are used in adults to slow down vision loss from:

Eylea is also used to treat retinopathy of prematurity (an eye condition that can happen in premature infants) in children

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for Eylea and Eylea HD. But your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those described here.

Eylea forms

Eylea and Eylea HD are available as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection into the back of the eye.

Eylea comes as prefilled syringes and as single-dose vials. Eylea HD comes as single-dose vials.

Eylea strengths

Eylea comes in one strength: 40 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL).

Eylea HD comes in one strength: 114.3 mg/mL.

Your doctor will typically give Eylea injections more often when you begin treatment with the medication. Then, they’ll adjust how often you receive Eylea over time to your maintenance dosing schedule.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. For more information about your dosage of Eylea, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for neovascular (wet) AMD

The typical Eylea dosage for adults with neovascular (wet) AMD depends on which form of Eylea your doctor prescribes.

Eylea

The recommended starting dosage of Eylea is 2 mg given once every 4 weeks (about every 28 days) for the first 3 months.

Then, your doctor will adjust your dosage. The typical maintenance dosage is 2 mg given once every 8 weeks (every 2 months).

Some people may receive different maintenance dosing schedules of Eylea. For example, your eye doctor may continue to give you 2 mg every 4 weeks (about every 25 days) even after 12 weeks (3 months). In some cases, your doctor may give 2 mg every 12 weeks after 1 year of treatment.

Your doctor will regularly monitor your eye health. They’ll determine the best dosing schedule to fit your needs.

Eylea HD

The recommended starting dosage of Eylea HD is 8 mg given once every 4 weeks (about every 28 days) for the first three doses. Then, your doctor will adjust your dosing schedule. The typical maintenance dosage is 8 mg given once every 8 to 16 weeks.

Dosage for diabetic macular edema

For adults with diabetic macular edema, the dosage of Eylea depends on the form of Eylea you’re prescribed.

Eylea

The recommended starting dosage of Eylea is 2 mg given once every 4 weeks (about every 28 days) for the first five doses. Then, your doctor will adjust your dosing schedule. The typical maintenance dosage is 2 mg given once every 8 weeks.

Some people may receive 2 mg every 4 weeks even after the first 5 weeks of treatment.

Eylea HD

The recommended starting dosage of Eylea HD is 8 mg given once every 4 weeks (about every 28 days) for three doses. Then, your doctor will adjust your dosing schedule. The typical maintenance dosage is 8 mg given once every 8 to 16 weeks.

Dosage for diabetic retinopathy

For adults with diabetic retinopathy, the Eylea dosage depends on the form of the drug you’re prescribed.

Eylea

The recommended starting dosage of Eylea is 2 mg given once every 4 weeks (about every 28 days) for the first five doses. Then your doctor will adjust your dosing schedule. The typical maintenance dosage is 2 mg given once every 8 weeks.

Some people may receive 2 mg every 4 weeks even after the first 5 weeks of treatment.

Your doctor will regularly monitor your eyes and recommend the best dosing schedule to fit your needs.

Eylea HD

The recommended starting dosage of Eylea HD is 8 mg given once every 4 weeks (about every 28 days) for the first three doses. Then your doctor will adjust your dosing schedule. The maintenance dosage is 8 mg given once every 8 to 12 weeks.

Dosage for macular edema following retinal vein occlusion

Eylea

Eylea is approved for use in adults with macular edema from retinal vein occlusion. The typical dosage is 2 mg given once every 4 weeks (about every 25 days).

Eylea HD

The recommended starting dosage of Eylea HD is 8 mg given once every 4 weeks (about every 28 days) for the first three to five doses. Then your doctor will adjust your dosing schedule. The maintenance dosage is 8 mg given once every 8 weeks.

Eylea is used to help treat retinopathy of prematurity in certain infants.

The recommended dosage is 0.4 mg given once into the affected eye. Some infants may need more than one dose of Eylea. In this case, their doctor will wait 10 days before injecting 0.4 mg of Eylea into the same eye.

For more information about Eylea’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor to learn more.

Note: Eylea HD is not approved for this use or for children. The safety and effectiveness of Eylea HD in children have not been established.

Is Eylea used long term?

Yes, Eylea is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely receive it long term.

Eylea is given as an injection into the back of the eye by an eye care specialist. Before you receive an Eylea injection, you’ll receive medications to prevent eye infection and numb your eye or eyes so you don’t feel pain.

Your doctor will inject Eylea using a thin needle.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.