Which drug is commonly referenced as an off-label treatment compared to Ranibizumab?

Bevacizumab is often referenced as an off-label treatment compared to Ranibizumab due to its shared mechanism of action as a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor. Both drugs target angiogenesis, which is a key process in the development of conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other diseases characterized by choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Ranibizumab (marketed as Lucentis) is specifically formulated and approved for ophthalmic use, while Bevacizumab (marketed as Avastin) is primarily used for treating various types of cancers and has not been approved specifically for ocular conditions. Despite this, Bevacizumab is widely used off-label in the treatment of AMD due to its cost-effectiveness and similar efficacy in managing neovascularization.

In contrast, while Aflibercept, Faricimab, and Brolucizumab are also VEGF inhibitors, they have been specifically developed and marketed for ophthalmic use, including conditions such as AMD. Thus, they do not fall under the category of off-label treatments in the same way Bevacizumab does when compared to Ranibizumab.