All About Vyzulta

What is Vyzulta used for?

Vyzulta is used to treat increased pressure in the eye caused by open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The drug may be prescribed for adults and for children ages 17 years and older.

Your eyes are filled with a clear liquid that gives them their shape and provides nutrients to their cells. Changes in the amount of this liquid can lead to high or low pressure in your eye.

If not treated, increased eye pressure can damage your optic nerve, which carries information from your eyes to your brain. Increased eye pressure is the leading cause of glaucoma, a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness.

High eye pressure often does not cause symptoms until it has already caused advanced damage to your optic nerve. It’s typically detected during an eye exam when an eye doctor measures your eye pressure.

Glaucoma does have some possible symptoms, such as:

• reduced vision, including loss of peripheral (side) vision
• redness in the white of your eye
• bulging or swelling in your cornea

Vyzulta works to treat high pressure in your eye by increasing drainage of the clear liquid from your eyes.

What are Vyzulta’s side effects?

Like most drugs, Vyzulta may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below contain some of the more common side effects Vyzulta may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Vyzulta. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Vyzulta can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or read Vyzulta’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Vyzulta that have been reported include:

• redness in the white of your eye
• eye irritation
• eye pain
• temporary pain or stinging after applying a drop of Vyzulta
• blurry vision
• swelling of your eye
• a feeling as though something is in your eye

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Vyzulta can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Vyzulta, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Vyzulta that have been reported include:

• eyelash changes, such as an increase in the length, thickness, or number of hairs
• changes to the color of your eye or eyelid, which may be permanent
• macular edema
• bacterial keratitis, an eye infection caused by contamination of the Vyzulta dropper that comes into contact with your eye (Vyzulta itself does not increase your risk of infection)

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Vyzulta can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep using Vyzulta.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble 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 Vyzulta, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

What is Vyzulta’s dosage?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Vyzulta that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always use the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strength

Vyzulta comes as a liquid solution that is given as an eye drop. It’s available in one strength of 0.24 milligrams in 1 milliliter of solution (0.24 mg/mL).

Recommended dosage

For adults and children who are prescribed Vyzulta, the typical dosage is 1 drop in the affected eye(s) once per day, in the evening.

How to use

Your doctor will explain how you should use Vyzulta. They’ll also explain how much to use and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Vyzulta comes as a liquid solution that is given as an eye drop. It’s important that you avoid touching the tip of the container with your hands or any other surface. Doing so can contaminate the dropper tip with bacteria, which can lead to a bacterial infection in your eye (called bacterial keratitis).

You should not use other eye drops at the exact same time as a dose of Vyzulta. If you use other eye drops in addition to Vyzulta, separate their doses by at least 5 minutes.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using Vyzulta. After using the eye drops, wait at least 15 minutes before putting your contacts back in.

Questions about using Vyzulta

The following are some common questions about using Vyzulta.

• Does Vyzulta need to be refrigerated? Unopened bottles of Vyzulta should be refrigerated at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Once you’ve opened a bottle of Vyzulta, it can be stored at a temperature of 36°F to 77°F (2°C to 25°C) for up to 8 weeks.
• Is there a best time of day to use Vyzulta? Yes, you should use Vyzulta in the evening.
• What if I miss a dose of Vyzulta? If you miss a dose of Vyzulta, take the dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
• Will I need to use Vyzulta long term? Vyzulta is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
• How long does Vyzulta take to work? Vyzulta begins to work after your first dose. But you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. Your doctor will order tests, such as eye exams, throughout your treatment to check whether Vyzulta is working to treat your condition.

Overdose

Do not use more Vyzulta than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you use too much Vyzulta

Call your doctor if you think you’ve used too much Vyzulta. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.

What should be considered before using Vyzulta?

Below is important information you should consider before using Vyzulta.

Interactions

Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Vyzulta is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. The manufacturer did not list any interactions in the drug’s prescribing information.

Before starting Vyzulta treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Although Vyzulta is not known to interact with other drugs, the manufacturer recommends separating doses of Vyzulta and other eye drops by at least 5 minutes. If you have questions about using Vyzulta with other eye drops, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Vyzulta during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor before starting Vyzulta treatment.

Warnings

Vyzulta 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 Vyzulta is a good treatment option for you.

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

• You have inflammation in your eye, such as iritis or uveitis.
• You have a phakic eye lens, such as an implantable collamer lens.
• You have a pseudophakic eye lens.
• You have macular edema or risk factors for it, such as diabetic retinopathy.
• You’ve previously had an allergic reaction to Vyzulta.
• You’re pregnant.
• You’re currently breastfeeding.

Vyzulta cost and coupons

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Vyzulta. What you’ll pay for Vyzulta may depend on several factors, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

• Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Vyzulta when using coupons from the site. See the coupon options below. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
• Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A Vyzulta coupon card may also be available.

Learn more about saving on your prescriptions.