What is Beovu?
Beovu is an FDA-approved prescription medication used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that occurs when new blood vessels develop in a part of the eye called the macula. The medication contains brolucizumab, a type of drug called a human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor which causes blood vessels to form. Beovu blocks VEGF to help ease the symptoms of wet AMD and slow down vision loss.
What’s the Problem?
In February 2020, the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) issued a warning which stated that at least 25 cases of retinal inflammation (vasculitis) had been reported in patients who had recently been administered Beovu injections. Of these, 21 patients were subsequently diagnosed with occlusive retinal vasculitis (retinal occlusion), an inflammatory eye condition that often causes permanent damage to the retina and loss of vision (blindness).
Beovu Side Effects
- Vision loss
- Blindness
- Retinal vasculitis
- Retinal artery occlusion
- Intraocular inflammation
- Endopthalmitis
- And more
Beovu Warning Label
In September 2020, Novartis announced an update to the Beovu product labeling to include warnings about retinal vasculitis and retinal vascular occlusion. These eye injuries occurred in the presence of intraocular inflammation, Novartis said. The label change was accompanied by an announcement stating that Novartis “… would pursue worldwide label updates after a review and further characterization of post-marketing safety events…”
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is an eye disease that causes loss in the center of the field of vision, according to the Mayo Clinic. In dry macular degeneration, the center of the retina deteriorates. With wet macular degeneration, leaky blood vessels grow under the retina.
Macular Degeneration Symptoms
Symptoms of dry macular degeneration include:
- Distortion of straight lines in the field of vision
- Reduction in central vision
- A need for brighter lighting
- Difficulty adapting to low lights
- Blurriness
- Trouble recognizing faces
Symptoms of wet macular degeneration resemble those of dry macular degeneration, but may also include:
- Blurry spots in the field of vision
- Hazy vision
- Rapidly worsening symptoms
Source: Healthline
Has Beovu Been Recalled?
To date, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has not issued a recall for Beovu. However, the agency has worked with Novartis to update the labeling of Beovu to include information about retinal vasculitis and retinal vascular occlusion. Novartis maintains that Beovu is still safe and effective.
Retinal Vasculitis Symptoms
- Decrease of visual acuity (blurry vision)
- Visual floaters
- Scotomas (dark spot in vision)
- Decreased ability to distinguish colors
- Metamorphopsia (distortion of images such as linear images)
Are Lawsuits Being Filed?
Former Beovu users are now pursuing legal action against Novartis. The lawsuits allege that Novartis failed to adequately warn patients of the potential side effects of Beovu injections, and that the company could have designed a safer drug. Filing a Beovu class action can help hold Novartis and other pharmaceutical companies responsible when they fail to make sure their drugs are safe.
Do I Have a Beovu Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Beovu Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new vision loss cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one was injured by the side effects of Beovu, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.