Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) is a prescription drug used to treat geographic atrophy, an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration. Syfovre can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include eye pain and floaters.

The active ingredient in Syfovre is pegcetacoplan. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes as a solution that’s injected into the eye.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Syfovre can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Syfovre treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

These are only a few of the side effects possible with Syfovre. Not everyone experiences side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

Mild side effects have been reported with Syfovre. These include:

  • sensation of foreign body or unusual feeling in the eye
  • broken blood vessels in the white of the eye
  • floaters (appearance of specks, dots, fibers, or cobwebs in your vision)
  • eye discomfort or pain
  • cloudiness of the capsule holding the eye lens (similar to a cataract)
  • mild allergic reaction*†

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be managed easily. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Syfovre unless your doctor recommends it.

Syfovre may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Syfovre, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Serious side effects have been reported with Syfovre. These include:

If you develop serious side effects while using Syfovre, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Syfovre, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Syfovre, visit MedWatch.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Syfovre’s side effects.

Is there a way to lower my risk of developing wet age-related macular degeneration while using Syfovre?

Yes, there is. Your doctor may consider treatment options, depending on the severity of geographic atrophy in your eye. Syfovre studies showed that using Syfovre every other month instead of monthly may reduce the risk of developing wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). But reducing the frequency of injections can reduce Syfovre’s effectiveness.

If you already have wet AMD in one eye, your risk of developing wet AMD in the other eye with Syfovre use is greater. In this case, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Syfovre.

Talk with your doctor before starting Syfovre treatment if you have concerns about developing wet AMD.

How long will increased eye pressure last after a Syfovre injection?

A temporary increase in eye pressure may occur within minutes of a Syfovre injection. Your doctor will monitor your eye pressure immediately after the injection. If your eye pressure remains high, your doctor may administer eye drops to reduce it.

In some cases, eye pressure may need to be managed with daily eye drops. Your doctor will likely schedule follow-up visits to check eye pressure. They’ll do this especially if you already had glaucoma (increased eye pressure) before Syfovre use.

Note any questions you have about Syfovre and its potential effects on eye pressure. It’s essential to discuss these with your doctor.

Does Syfovre cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Long-term side effects may start while using a drug, even if you’ve used it a long time. They also include side effects that may not go away, even after you stop using the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported in Syfovre’s studies include:

The following conditions can lead to blindness. So it’s essential to call your doctor right away if you have any of them:

  • sudden loss of vision
  • redness in the white of the eye
  • severe eye pain or sensitivity to light
  • blurred, wavy, or distorted vision
  • any change in vision, including blurring, distorted vision, flashes of light, black spots, or loss of central vision

If you’re concerned about possible long-term side effects from Syfovre, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects Syfovre may cause.

Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis (swelling and infection of the inner lining of the eye) was an uncommon side effect reported in studies of Syfovre. Endophthalmitis may cause symptoms such as:

  • redness in the white of the eye
  • sensitivity to light
  • blurred, wavy, or distorted vision
  • floaters (appearance of specks, dots, fibers, or cobwebs in your vision)
  • flashes of light

What might help

When receiving Syfovre, sanitary practices during and after the infection are essential. Before giving you a Syfovre injection, your doctor will flush your eye with an antiseptic eye solution. You also may prevent an infection by:

  • exactly following your doctor’s instructions for care after your injection
  • washing your hands before placing any eye drops in your eye
  • avoiding touching the eyedrop bottle to the eye

If you have symptoms of endophthalmitis during your Syfovre treatment, see your doctor right away. Endophthalmitis must be treated urgently to prevent vision damage or blindness.

Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment was an uncommon side effect reported in studies of Syfovre. Retinal detachment may cause symptoms such as:

  • sudden onset of floaters (appearance of specks, dots, fibers, or cobwebs in your vision)
  • sudden onset of tiny black specks in your vision
  • flashes of light
  • a dark or curtain-like shadow in your vision
  • blurred vision
  • loss of vision

Factors that can increase the risk of retinal detachment when receiving an injection of Syfovre include:

  • previous eye injury, eye surgery, or retinal detachment
  • severe nearsightedness
  • vitreous detachment (when the gel filling the eyeball detaches from the retina)
  • family history of retinal detachment

What might help

If you have symptoms of retinal detachment during Syfovre treatment, see your doctor right away. It’s urgent that retinal detachment is treated to prevent vision damage or blindness.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Syfovre can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as itching, slight swelling, or redness, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • taking an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • applying a cool compress to the area to reduce redness and swelling

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Syfovre, they’ll decide whether you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Syfovre, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Syfovre treatment, consider making notes about any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start a new drug or combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were using when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Syfovre affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before using Syfovre.

Warnings

Syfovre can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Syfovre is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you start Syfovre. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

  • active infection
  • active swelling, pain, or redness in the eye being treated
  • history of wet age-related macular degeneration
  • glaucoma
  • history of retinal detachment (when the retina detaches from the back of the eye), floaters (appearance of specks, dots, fibers, or cobwebs in your vision), or flashes of light
  • taking other medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, supplements, or herbs
  • previous allergic reaction to Syfovre
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Alcohol and Syfovre

No interactions between alcohol and Syfovre are known.

If you have questions about consuming alcohol during Syfovre treatment, talk with your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Syfovre

Before starting Syfovre treatment, it’s important to talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning either.

Pregnancy

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Syfovre during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Syfovre.

If you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor may recommend using a form of birth control during your Syfovre treatment. They’ll likely recommend using it throughout your treatment. You may also need to continue using birth control for 40 days after your last Syfovre injection.

Breastfeeding

It isn’t known whether Syfovre is safe to use while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.

Like most drugs, Syfovre can cause a number of side effects that range from mild to serious. But most are temporary and go away after a few days to weeks. If you have questions about side effects that Syfovre can cause, talk with your doctor.

Examples of questions to help get you started include:

  • With Syfovre, what are my risks of developing severe side effects, such as wet age-related macular degeneration?
  • What side effects from Syfovre should prompt me to contact you?
  • Can I take over-the-counter pain relievers for Syfovre injection pain?
  • What are the risks of Syfovre worsening my vision?

To learn more about Syfovre, see this “All About Syfovre” article.

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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.