Beovu Side Effects Linked to Risk of Retinal Occlusive Vasculitis and Severe Vision Problems
Although the medication Beovu was just introduced in October 2019, it has already been linked to reports of serious and potentially blinding vision problems, known as Retinal Vasculitis and Retinal Vascular Occlusion.
Contact Our Lawyers If You Suffered BEOVU VISION SIDE EFFECTS
As a result of the drug manufacturers’ failure to disclose these Beovu side effects, lawsuits are being reviewed by the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. for users who received this injection for treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and experienced new vision problems, including:
- Blurry Vision
- Floaters or Dark Spots in Vision
- Color Blindness Onset
- Distorted Appearance of Straight Objects (Metamorphopsia)
- Complete Vision Loss
To learn more about this potential lawsuit and review your claim with one of our Beovu lawyers, request a free consultation and case evaluation. Request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Beovu Vision Problems
Beovu (brolucizumab) was approved by the FDA for treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration on October 7, 2019, as part of a class of drugs known as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, or anti-VEGF.
Only a few months after it hit the market, the American Society of Retina Specialists reported on cases of retinal vasculitis from Beovu, alerting members that it had received reports of at least 14 cases of vasculitis that may be linked to side effects of Beovu, including 11 that were designated by the provider as occlusive retinal vasculitis.
- Retinal vasculitis involves a serious inflammation of the vascular branches of the retinal artery, which can result in blurry vision, visual floaters, dark spots in vision, difficulty distinguishing colors and distorted images.
- Retinal vascular occlusion is a more severe issue, which occurs when the vein becomes blocked, potentially causing complete loss of vision and blindness that may result from permanent damage to the retina.
As of February 21, 2020, an estimated 46,000 Beovu injections had already been administered in the United States. However, a number of doctors decided to stop carrying the AMD drug in their inventory after learning about the potential link between Beovu and vasculitis, causing sales to drop sharply to about $34 million in the second quarter of 2020, after generating $68 million in the first quarter of the year.
New Warnings About Side Effects of Beovu
In response to reports about inflammation and vasculitis after Beovu injections, safety reviews were launched by the FDA and the drug maker, Novartis.
The findings of a study looking at 96 week outcomes from Phase 3 clinical trials for Beovu was published in the medical journal Ophthalmology in June 2020, indicating that incidents of vision problems from Beovu may be occurring in about 1 out of every 200 patients.
On June 11, 2020, the FDA approved updated Beovu warning information for the drug label (PDF), which now includes information about the risk of retinal vasculitis and retinal vascular occlusion:
5 – Warnings and Precautions: 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 BEOVU. Patients should be instructed to report any change in vision without delay.
17 – Patient Counseling Information
Advise patients that in the days following BEOVU administration, patients are at risk of developing endophthalmitis., retinal detachment, retinal vasculitis and/or retinal vascular occlusion. If the eye becomes red, sensitive to light, painful, or if a patient develops any change in vision, instruct the patient to seek immediate care from an ophthalmologist.
Beovu Vision Loss Lawsuits
Increasing evidence suggests that Novartis knew or should have known about these Beovu risks before the injection was introduced and marketed for treatment of age-related macular degeneration.
If earlier information and warnings had been provided for users and the medical community, many individuals may have avoided blindness and other vision problems from Beovu.
To review whether you or a loved one may be entitled to financial compensation due to the drug makers failure to warn about the potential Beovu vision side effects, contact our law firm today. All cases are being reviewed and investigated on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there are never any out-of-pocket costs to hire our lawyers and we only receive a fee or expenses if a Beovu settlement or recovery is obtained on your behalf.
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