Can you take Aflibercept Injection while pregnant?
Last updated September 7, 2026.
**Aflibercept injection is generally not recommended during pregnancy, so treatment is usually postponed or another approach is used.** Aflibercept works by blocking VEGF, a protein a developing fetus needs to build normal blood vessels, and animal studies have shown harm to the fetus. Eye injections use a small dose, but a measurable amount still reaches your bloodstream. The prescribing information advises effective birth control before your first dose, throughout treatment, and for at least 3 months after your last injection. The decision depends on how fast your eye condition is progressing, how much vision is at stake, and whether laser treatment or close monitoring can safely bridge the pregnancy. Bring your eye specialist and your pregnancy care provider into the same conversation so one plan covers both.
What to do
- Tell your eye specialist early: Report a pregnancy or pregnancy plans before your next scheduled injection, not after it.
- Use reliable contraception: Plan for effective birth control during treatment and for at least 3 months after your final dose.
- Ask about the timing: Some eye conditions can be monitored or treated with laser while you are pregnant, so ask what delay is safe for your vision.
- Loop in your obstetric team: Share the drug name and your injection dates so your prenatal care reflects the same plan.
- Do not stop on your own: Skipping injections without a plan can allow permanent vision loss, so make changes with your retina specialist.
- Discuss breastfeeding separately: Ask specifically about nursing, since the guidance after delivery differs from the guidance during pregnancy.
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