Anti-VEGF (specialist intravitreal) Pregnancy: US label §8.1: there are no adequate and well-controlled studies of BEOVU in pregnant women. Based on the anti-VEGF mechanism of action, treatment may pose a risk to human embryo-fetal development; should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.

Brolucizumab

Brand names: Beovu

Brolucizumab is a humanised single-chain antibody fragment anti-VEGF agent given by intravitreal injection for neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) per injection

Route: Intravitreal injection (ophthalmic); must be administered by a qualified physician using aseptic technique — one pre-filled syringe or vial treats a single eye

Frequency: Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration: 6 mg monthly (approximately every 25 to 31 days) for the first three doses, followed by 6 mg once every 8 to 12 weeks

US label §2.3 Diabetic macular edema (DME): 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) by intravitreal injection every six weeks (approximately every 39–45 days) for the first five doses, followed by 6 mg once every 8–12 weeks. Paediatric (§8.4): safety and efficacy in paediatric patients has not been established. Geriatric (§8.5): no dosage regimen adjustment required in patients 65 years and above. SOURCE CAVEAT — no UK SPC (eMC) record was present in the fetched bundle; the dose above is taken from the US BEOVU prescribing information and must be verified against the UK SPC before publication.

Dose auto-extracted from US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Ocular or periocular infections
Active intraocular inflammation
Known hypersensitivity to brolucizumab or any of the excipients (may manifest as rash, pruritus, urticaria, erythema, or severe intraocular inflammation)

Side effects

Vision blurred (most common)
Cataract (most common)
Conjunctival haemorrhage (most common)
Eye pain (most common)
Vitreous floaters (most common)
Serious reactions described in US label §5: endophthalmitis and retinal detachment; retinal vasculitis and/or retinal vascular occlusion; increases in intraocular pressure within 30 minutes of injection; potential risk of arterial thromboembolic events

Clinical monograph

How it works

It binds vascular endothelial growth factor A, blocking its interaction with VEGF receptors and thereby suppressing the abnormal choroidal and retinal neovascularisation and vascular leakage.

Prescribing in practice

Carries a recognised risk of intraocular inflammation, including retinal vasculitis and retinal vascular occlusion that can lead to severe, sometimes permanent, vision loss.
Contraindicated in active or suspected ocular or periocular infection and in active intraocular inflammation; administer under strict aseptic technique.
Endophthalmitis and a transient rise in intraocular pressure can occur following intravitreal injection.

Monitoring

Monitor intraocular pressure and perfusion immediately after injection and review patients for signs of intraocular inflammation, vasculitis or occlusion at follow-up.

Counselling the patient

Seek urgent ophthalmology review for eye pain, increasing redness, new floaters, light sensitivity or any reduction in vision after injection.
Treatment requires regular review with monitoring of the response to each course.
Do not drive until any post-injection visual disturbance has resolved.

Evidence & guidelines

An MHRA Drug Safety Update has highlighted the risk of retinal vasculitis and retinal vascular occlusion with brolucizumab; manage according to current specialist guidance.

Reference: NICE TA672; NICE TA820; RCOphth; MHRA Drug Safety Update; SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways