Faricimab is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.
- Type
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Brand names
- Vabysmo
- Taken
- Intravitreal
- Label
- Genentech, Inc., revised April 15, 2026 · full label on DailyMed
- Biosimilars
- 1 approved · details
What it is used for
VABYSMO is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with: VABYSMO is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with: Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) ( 1.1 ) Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) ( 1.2 ) Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) ( 1.3 )
1.1 Neovascular (wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD)
1.2 Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
1.3 Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
Forms and strengths
VABYSMO is a clear to opalescent, colorless to brownish-yellow solution available as: Injection: 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) in a single-dose prefilled glass syringe Injection: 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) in a single-dose glass vial Injection: 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) in a single-dose prefilled syringe ( 3 ) Injection: 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) in a single-dose vial ( 3 )
Who should not take it (contraindications)
Ocular or periocular infection ( 4.1 ) Active intraocular inflammation ( 4.2 ) Hypersensitivity ( 4.3 )
4.1 Ocular or Periocular Infections VABYSMO is contraindicated in patients with ocular or periocular infections.
4.2 Active Intraocular Inflammation VABYSMO is contraindicated in patients with active intraocular inflammation.
4.3 Hypersensitivity VABYSMO is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to faricimab or any of the excipients in VABYSMO. Hypersensitivity reactions may manifest as rash, pruritus, urticaria, erythema, or severe intraocular inflammation.
Warnings and precautions
Endophthalmitis and retinal detachments may occur following intravitreal injections. Patients should be instructed to report any symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment without delay, to permit prompt and appropriate management. ( 5.1 ) Increases in intraocular pressure have been seen within 60 minutes of an intravitreal injection. ( 5.2 ) There is a potential risk of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) associated with VEGF inhibition. ( 5.3 )
5.1 Endophthalmitis and Retinal Detachments Intravitreal injections, including Vabysmo, have been associated with endophthalmitis and retinal detachments [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Proper aseptic injection techniques must always be used when administering VABYSMO. Patients should be instructed to report any signs or symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment without delay, to permit prompt and appropriate management [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) and Patient Counseling Information (17) ].
5.2 Increase in Intraocular Pressure Transient increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) have been seen within 60 minutes of intravitreal injection, including with VABYSMO [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. IOP and the perfusion of the optic nerve head should be monitored and managed appropriately [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ].
5.3 Thromboembolic Events Although there was a low rate of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) observed in the VABYSMO clinical trials, there is a potential risk of ATEs following intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors. ATEs are defined as nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or vascular death (including deaths of unknown cause). The incidence of reported ATEs in the nAMD studies during the first year was 1% (7 out of 664) in patients treated with VABYSMO compared with 1% (6 out of 662) in patients treated with aflibercept [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . The incidence of reported ATEs in the DME studies from baseline to week 100 was 5% (64 out of 1,262) in patients treated with VABYSMO compared with 5% (32 out of 625) in patients treated with aflibercept [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . The incidence of reported ATEs in the RVO studies during the first 6 months was 1.1% (7 out of 641) in patients treated with VABYSMO compared with 1.4% (9 out of 635) in patients treated with aflibercept [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] .
5.4 Retinal Vasculitis and/or Retinal Vascular Occlusion Retinal vasculitis and/or retinal vascular occlusion, typically in the presence of intraocular inflammation, have been reported with the use of VABYSMO [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Discontinue treatment with VABYSMO in patients who develop these events. Patients should be instructed to report any change in vision without delay.
Side effects (adverse reactions)
The following potentially serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity [see Contraindications (4) ] Endophthalmitis and retinal detachments [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Increase in intraocular pressure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Thromboembolic events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Retinal Vasculitis and/or Retinal Vascular Occlusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] The most common adverse reactions (≥ 5%) reported in patients receiving VABYSMO were cataract (15%) and conjunctival hemorrhage (8%). ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Genentech at 1-888-835-2555 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in other clinical trials of the same or another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below reflect exposure to VABYSMO in 2,567 patients, which constituted the safety population in six Phase 3 studies [see Clinical Studies (14.1 , 14.2 , 14.3) ] . Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions (≥ 1%) Adverse Reactions VABYSMO Active Control (aflibercept) AMD N=664 DME N=1,262 RVO N=641 AMD N=662 DME N=625 RVO N=635 Cataract 3% 15% < 1% 2% 12% 1% Conjunctival hemorrhage 7% 8% 3% 8% 7% 4% Vitreous detachment 3% 5% 2% 3% 4% 2% Vitreous floaters 3% 4% 2% 2% 3% 2% Retinal pigment epithelial tear AMD only 3% 1% Intraocular pressure increased 3% 4% 1% 2% 3% 3% Eye pain 3% 3% < 1% 3% 3% < 1% Intraocular inflammation Including iridocyclitis, iritis, uveitis, vitritis 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% < 1% Eye irritation 1% < 1% < 1% < 1% 1% < 1% Lacrimation increased 1% 1% 0 1% < 1% < 1% Ocular discomfort 1% 1% < 1% < 1% < 1% < 1% Less common adverse reactions reported in < 1% of the patients treated with VABYSMO were corneal abrasion, eye pruritus, ocular hyperemia, blurred vision, sensation of foreign body, endophthalmitis, conjunctival hyperaemia, visual acuity reduced, visual acuity reduced transiently, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal tear and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.
6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of VABYSMO. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Eye disorders : retinal vasculitis with or without retinal vascular occlusion.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of VABYSMO administration in pregnant women. Administration of VABYSMO to pregnant monkeys throughout the period of organogenesis resulted in an increased incidence of abortions at intravenous (IV) doses 158 times the human exposure (based on C max ) of the maximum recommended human dose [see Animal Data ] . Based on the mechanism of action of VEGF and Ang-2 inhibitors, there is a potential risk to female reproductive capacity, and to embryo-fetal development. VABYSMO should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the patient outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, and other adverse outcomes. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects is 2%-4% and of miscarriage is 15%-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Data Animal Data An embryo fetal developmental toxicity study was performed on pregnant cynomolgus monkeys. Pregnant animals received 5 weekly IV injections of VABYSMO starting on day 20 of gestation at 1 or 3 mg/kg. A non-dose dependent increase in pregnancy loss (abortions) was observed at both doses evaluated. Serum exposure (C max ) in pregnant monkeys at the low dose of 1 mg/kg was 158 times the human exposure at the maximum recommended intravitreal dose of 6 mg once every 4 weeks. A no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was not identified in this study.
8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There is no information regarding the presence of faricimab in human milk, the effects of the drug on the breastfed infant, or the effects of the drug on milk production. Many drugs are transferred in human milk with the potential for absorption and adverse reactions in the breastfed child. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for VABYSMO and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from VABYSMO.
8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Contraception Females of reproductive potential are advised to use effective contraception prior to the initial dose, during treatment and for at least 3 months following the last dose of VABYSMO. Infertility No studies on the effects of faricimab on human fertility have been conducted and it is not known whether faricimab can affect reproduction capacity. Based on the mechanism of action, treatment with VABYSMO may pose a risk to reproductive capacity.
8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and efficacy of VABYSMO in pediatric patients have not been established.
8.5 Geriatric Use In the six clinical studies, approximately 58% (1,496/2,571) of patients randomized to treatment with VABYSMO were ≥ 65 years of age. No significant differences in efficacy or safety of faricimab were seen with increasing age in these studies. No dose adjustment is required in patients 65 years and above.
How it works
Faricimab is a humanized bispecific antibody that acts through inhibition of two pathways by binding to VEGF-A and Ang-2. By inhibiting VEGF-A, faricimab suppresses endothelial cell proliferation, neovascularization and vascular permeability. By inhibiting Ang-2, faricimab is thought to promote vascular stability and desensitize blood vessels to the effects of VEGF-A. Ang-2 levels are increased in some patients with nAMD, DME, and RVO. The contribution of Ang-2 inhibition to the treatment effect and clinical response for nAMD, DME, and RVO has yet to be established.
Are there biosimilars to Faricimab?
Yes. The FDA has approved 1 biosimilars; 1 of those approvals are active (not discontinued). As with generics, approval does not guarantee a product is stocked or covered.
- Vabysmo Genentech Inc, approved 2022
Biologics have biosimilars rather than generics: highly similar versions with no clinically meaningful differences. Only biosimilars the FDA designates as interchangeable can be swapped at the pharmacy without asking the prescriber, where state law allows; the FDA Purple Book lists which ones are.
Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.
Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.
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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID 04cc9ef7-c02a-4e92-a655-0062674e8487.