Brolucizumab is a medicine given as an injection into the eye to treat certain serious retina conditions like wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema.
| Drug class | Anti-VEGF Biologic |
|---|---|
| Type | Single |
| Forms | Intravitreal Injection |
| Common strength | 6 mg / 0.05 mL |
| Common Indian brands | Pagenax (Beovu) |
| Prescription status | Prescription (hospital use) |
What Brolucizumab is used for
Brolucizumab is an important medicine used by retina specialists at Pristine Eye Hospitals to treat specific eye conditions that affect the macula, a crucial part of your retina responsible for sharp, central vision. These conditions can severely impact your eyesight if not managed properly.
- Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Wet AMD): This condition occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak fluid or blood, damaging the macula and causing blurred vision or a blind spot in your central vision.
- Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO): This is a complication of diabetes where high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the retina, causing fluid to leak into the macula and make it swell. This swelling can lead to blurred vision or vision loss.
By treating these conditions, Brolucizumab aims to help preserve your vision and prevent further damage to your macula.
How it works
Brolucizumab belongs to a category of medicines called Anti-VEGF Biologics. To understand how it works, it’s helpful to know about a substance in your body called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF).
In conditions like wet AMD and DMO, there is often an excess of VEGF. This excess VEGF acts like a signal, encouraging the growth of abnormal, leaky blood vessels in the eye. These leaky vessels are the culprits behind the fluid buildup and damage to your macula, leading to vision problems.
Brolucizumab is a special type of medicine: it’s a small, highly concentrated antibody fragment. Think of it as a tiny, very precise blocker. When injected into your eye, Brolucizumab works by attaching itself to and blocking the VEGF. By blocking VEGF, it stops the signals that promote the growth of these abnormal blood vessels and helps to reduce the leakage from existing ones. This can lead to a reduction in fluid and swelling in the macula, helping to improve or stabilise your vision.
A key advantage of Brolucizumab is its design as a small, highly concentrated antibody fragment, which allows it to block VEGF effectively and potentially be dosed less often compared to some other treatments.
How it’s used
Brolucizumab is administered as an intravitreal injection, which means it is given directly into the vitreous humour (the jelly-like substance that fills the centre of your eye) by a retina specialist at Pristine Eye Hospitals. This method ensures the medicine reaches the exact location where it is needed most to treat your retina condition.
The treatment typically begins with a series of initial injections, known as loading doses. You will receive 3 loading doses to start the treatment process effectively.
After these initial doses, your retina specialist will determine your ongoing treatment schedule. The maintenance doses are usually given every 8 to 12 weeks. The exact timing of your injections will depend on your specific condition, how you respond to the treatment, and your doctor’s assessment.
It is crucial to attend all your scheduled appointments for these injections to ensure the best possible outcome for your vision. Your retina specialist will monitor your eye closely throughout the treatment period.
Always follow your ophthalmologist’s exact instructions.
Brands available in India
- Pagenax (Beovu)
Brand availability and pricing vary; confirm with your pharmacist.
Please note
Given as an injection inside the eye by a retina specialist. After any intravitreal injection, seek help IMMEDIATELY if you develop increasing pain, redness, sensitivity to light or a drop in vision — these can be signs of a serious infection (endophthalmitis).
Precautions & side effects
While Brolucizumab is an effective treatment, it is important to be aware of certain precautions and potential risks. Your retina specialist at Pristine Eye Hospitals will discuss these with you in detail before your treatment.
- Intraocular Inflammation and Retinal Vasculitis: Brolucizumab carries a recognised risk of causing intraocular inflammation (inflammation inside the eye) and retinal vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels in the retina). It is extremely important to be vigilant for any new or worsening symptoms.
- Immediate Reporting of Symptoms: If you experience any of the following symptoms after your injection, you must report them to your doctor IMMEDIATELY:
- Any new or increasing redness in your eye.
- Any pain in your eye, especially if it is increasing.
- Any sudden or significant drop in your vision.
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia).
These symptoms can be signs of serious inflammation or, in rare cases, a serious infection called endophthalmitis, which requires urgent medical attention.
- Injection Procedure Warning: Brolucizumab is given as an injection inside the eye by a retina specialist. After any intravitreal injection, seek help IMMEDIATELY if you develop increasing pain, redness, sensitivity to light, or a drop in vision – these can be signs of a serious infection (endophthalmitis).
- Prescription Only: Brolucizumab is a prescription-only medicine and is administered only in a hospital setting by a qualified retina specialist. It is not available for self-administration.
Always follow your doctor’s instructions and attend all follow-up appointments. Do not hesitate to contact Pristine Eye Hospitals if you have any concerns or experience any unusual symptoms after your injection.
Understanding Your Eye Condition
At Pristine Eye Hospitals, we understand that being diagnosed with an eye condition like wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wet AMD) or Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO) can be concerning. Both conditions affect the macula, a small but vital part of your retina at the back of your eye. The macula is responsible for your sharp, central vision, which you use for tasks like reading, recognising faces, and driving. When the macula is damaged, your central vision can become blurry, distorted, or you might develop a blind spot. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak fluid or blood, while DMO is a complication of diabetes where fluid leaks into the macula, causing swelling. Early detection and consistent treatment, such as with Brolucizumab, are crucial to help preserve your vision and prevent further damage. Our specialists will explain your specific condition in detail and tailor a treatment plan just for you.
General Eye Care and Hygiene
Maintaining good eye hygiene is always important, especially when undergoing treatment for an eye condition. While Brolucizumab is an injection and not an eye drop, general eye care principles still apply. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your eyes or the area around them. Avoid rubbing your eyes, especially after an injection, as this can introduce germs or irritate the treated eye. If you use other eye drops or ointments for different conditions, make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions on how and when to use them. Store all eye medicines, including any other prescribed drops, in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children. Never use expired medicines. If you wear contact lenses, your doctor will advise you on when it is safe to wear them again after an injection. Generally, it’s best to avoid wearing them for a few days post-injection to minimise any risk of irritation or infection.
When to Seek Immediate Help
Your safety and vision are our top priority at Pristine Eye Hospitals. While intravitreal injections are generally safe, it is extremely important to be aware of potential complications and know when to seek immediate medical attention. After receiving an injection of Brolucizumab, or any intravitreal injection, there are specific symptoms that should prompt you to contact us without delay. These include increasing pain in your eye, new or worsening redness, increased sensitivity to light (photophobia), or any sudden or significant drop in your vision. These symptoms, though rare, can be signs of a serious infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis) or significant inflammation, which require urgent evaluation and treatment to prevent severe vision loss. Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment if you experience any of these warning signs. Our team is here to support you, so please do not hesitate to reach out immediately if you have any concerns or experience any unusual symptoms after your treatment.
Frequently asked questions
What is Brolucizumab used for?
Brolucizumab is used to treat serious eye conditions that affect the macula, specifically wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) and diabetic macular oedema (DMO). These conditions can cause blurred vision or vision loss by damaging the central part of your retina.
How does Brolucizumab work?
Brolucizumab is an anti-VEGF biologic medicine. It works by blocking a substance called VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) in your eye. By blocking VEGF, it helps to stop the growth of abnormal, leaky blood vessels and reduces fluid buildup in the macula, which can improve or stabilise your vision.
What are the common Indian brands for Brolucizumab?
In India, Brolucizumab is available under the brand name Pagenax. It is also known internationally as Beovu.
How is Brolucizumab administered?
Brolucizumab is given as an intravitreal injection, which means it is injected directly into the eye by a retina specialist. The treatment usually starts with 3 loading doses, followed by maintenance doses every 8 to 12 weeks, as determined by your doctor.
Do I need a prescription for Brolucizumab?
Yes, Brolucizumab is a prescription-only medicine and is administered only in a hospital setting by a qualified retina specialist. It is not available for self-administration.
What precautions should I take after receiving Brolucizumab?
After the injection, it's crucial to report any new or increasing redness, pain, sensitivity to light, or a drop in vision to your doctor immediately. These could be signs of serious inflammation or infection. Always attend all your scheduled follow-up appointments.
References
- Effectiveness, Safety, and Real-World Experience of Brolucizumab: A Systematic Review
- Diabetic Retinopathy – National Eye Institute
- Eye health – MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Eye health information – American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Blindness and vision impairment – World Health Organization
Medically reviewed by Dr. C Jagadesh Reddy, Chief Surgeon: Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery — last reviewed 2026-07-28.
This page is for general education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never self-medicate or reuse an old prescription. Always consult a qualified ophthalmologist before starting, changing or stopping any eye medicine.