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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Please note, any and all questions regarding VABYSMO^® should be discussed with your retina specialist. These questions may help you get started with the conversation.

FAQs about DME

DME is a complication associated with diabetes. It occurs when consistently high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the eye causing fluid to leak into the macula, the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision.

If untreated, DME can lead to severe vision problems and even blindness, but VABYSMO can help reduce the swelling and prevent vision loss.

While DME affects everyone differently, its symptoms include:

Blurry or blind spots appearing in the central vision of the affected eye
Straight lines that appear wavy
Colors that appear less vibrant
Trouble seeing in low light

In DME, blood and fluid can spill into the macula—the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision.

The macula swells, leading to blurred vision and vision loss.

VABYSMO can help quickly dry the excess fluid.

It’s important to keep up with your treatment for DME. Keeping up with your treatment can prevent blindness. Your retina specialist can tell you more about what to expect from treatment with VABYSMO.

FAQs about VABYSMO

VABYSMO is a prescription medicine administered by injection into the eye by your retina specialist.

It is approved for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

VABYSMO may cause serious side effects, including:

Inflammation and detached retina (separation of the retina from the back of the eye), which have been associated with injections in the eye
A temporary increase in eye pressure has been seen in some patients within 1 hour of injection
Although not common, there is a risk of stroke, heart attack, or even death due to abnormal conditions in the arteries and the veins
Severe inflammation of vessels in the retina has happened for patients treated with VABYSMO. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience a change in vision

The most common side effects with VABYSMO were cataract and blood on the white of the eye (conjunctival hemorrhage)
These are not all the possible side effects of VABYSMO

For people with DME, VABYSMO is given every month for the first 4 or 6 months. Afterwards, your retina specialist will personalize your treatment schedule based on your needs, with the chance to receive as few as 3 injections per year (after 4 or 6 initial monthly doses, receive a minimum of 6 injections over 2 years and a maximum of 21).

Everyone is different, but studies show that VABYSMO may improve your vision after just 1 treatment.

DME is a chronic condition that requires long-term care. Your retina specialist can tell you more about what to expect from treatment with VABYSMO.

Contact your retina specialist right away if you think you might be experiencing any side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

For additional Safety Information, please talk to your retina specialist and see the VABYSMO full Prescribing Information.

If you are already on a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment, ask your retina specialist if switching to VABYSMO is right for you.

There may be options to help you afford your VABYSMO, no matter what type of health insurance you have.

There are a number of things you can do that can make a big difference in the life of a loved one with vision loss associated with DME.

Check out some ideas here

Genentech is committed to helping you find financial assistance options for VABYSMO

LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL SUPPORT

What is VABYSMO?

VABYSMO (faricimab-svoa) is a prescription medicine given by injection into the eye used to treat adults with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Do not receive VABYSMO if you:

Have an infection in or around your eye.
Have active swelling around your eye that may include pain and redness.
Are allergic to VABYSMO or any of the ingredients in VABYSMO.

What is the most important information I should know about VABYSMO?

Injections like the one for VABYSMO can cause an eye infection (endophthalmitis), separation of layers of the retina (retinal detachment), or inflammation in the eye that can lead to vision loss. Call your healthcare provider right away if your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, or you have a change or loss of vision.
VABYSMO may cause a temporary increase in pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure), which occurs within 60 minutes after receiving the eye injection.
Although not common, VABYSMO patients have had serious, sometimes fatal, problems related to blood clots, such as heart attacks or strokes (thromboembolic events). In clinical studies for wet AMD during the first year, 7 out of 664 patients treated with VABYSMO reported such an event. In clinical studies for DME from baseline to week 100, 64 out of 1,262 patients treated with VABYSMO reported such an event. In clinical studies for RVO during 6 months, 7 out of 641 patients treated with VABYSMO reported such an event.
Severe inflammation of vessels in the retina has happened for patients treated with VABYSMO. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience a change in vision.

Before receiving VABYSMO, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Based on how VABYSMO interacts with your body, there may be a potential risk to your unborn baby. You should use birth control before your first injection, during your treatment with VABYSMO, and for 3 months after your last dose of VABYSMO.
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VABYSMO passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive VABYSMO.
Are taking any medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take.

What should I avoid while receiving VABYSMO?

Your vision may be impaired after receiving an eye injection or after an eye exam. Do not drive or use machinery until your vision has recovered sufficiently.

What are the most common side effects with VABYSMO?

The most common side effects with VABYSMO were cataract and blood on the white of the eye (conjunctival hemorrhage).
These are not all the possible side effects of VABYSMO.

Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.

Please see the VABYSMO full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.