Vedolizumab (Entyvio): Uses, Dose, MOA, Side effects

Entyvio (Vedolizumab) is a biological therapy used in the treatment of inflammatory disorders such as Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

It is an important modulator of gastrointestinal inflammation, the human lymphocyte α4β7 integrin is targeted by the recombinant humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody called vedolizumab. [ref]

It is available for purchase under the Entyvio brand.

Uses of Entyvio

In the body, a chemical that might induce inflammation is lessened with Entyvio. [ref]

Adults with moderately to highly active Ulcerative Colitis (UC) who did not react to immunomodulators, lost tolerance to them, or found them unbearable, as well as those who did not respond to corticosteroids, found them intolerable or showed signs of dependence on them.

To achieve corticosteroid-free remission or to improve the endoscopic look of the mucosa, this medication is used to induce and sustain clinical response or remission.

Adults with moderately to highly active Crohn’s disease (CD) who did not respond well to, lost tolerance to, or were intolerant of a TNF blocker or immunomodulator, or who did not respond well to, were intolerant of, or displayed reliance on corticosteroids.

With the use of this medication, patients can achieve clinical remission, remission without corticosteroids, or both.

How Entyvio is administered:

Entyvio is typically administered as an intravenous infusion every 2 to 8 weeks. You will receive this injection from a healthcare professional.

Your doctor could order tests to make sure you don’t have TB or any other illnesses before you begin Entyvio medication.

The infusion of this medication must be administered gradually, and it may take at least 30 minutes to finish.

After taking Entyvio, you will be closely monitored for a brief period of time to ensure that you do not experience an allergic response.

Your symptoms might not start to get better for up to a few weeks. If your symptoms don’t go away after 14 weeks of treatment, keep taking the medicine as prescribed and let your doctor know.

Dosage of Entyvio

Standard adult dosage with ulcerative colitis:

At Week 0, Week 2, Week 6, and then every 8 weeks after that, 300 mg IV over 30 mins

Crohn’s disease standard adult dosage — maintenance

At Week 0, Week 2, Week 6, and then every 8 weeks after that, 300 mg IV over 30 mins

Side effects of Entyvio

Keep in mind that your doctor has recommended this medicine because they believe it will help you more than it will harm you. Many users of this medicine report no significant adverse effects.

If you have any severe side effects, such as mouth/throat discomfort, pain in your arms or legs, or signs of liver damage (such as persistent nausea or vomiting, lack of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or dark urine), call your doctor straight once.

This drug might decrease your capacity to fight infections. This might increase your risk of contracting a serious (rarely deadly) infection or aggravate an existing infection.

Vedolizumab has the potential to produce a fatal or seriously incapacitating brain infection [ref]. If you experience issues with your ability to speak, think, see, or move your muscles, call your doctor straight away. These signs might appear gradually and then worsen suddenly.

Some of the more severe and common side effects are given below, contact your physician straight at once if you experience any of the following:

• Anal region discomfort, warmth, swelling, or leaking
• Nausea, vomiting, bloody or watery diarrhea, stomach pains, and loss of weight
• Cough, swallowing discomfort
• Liver issues can include jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored feces, itching, fatigue, and upper stomach discomfort (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Mechanism of action of Entyvio

Vedolizumab binds to α4β7 integrin, a crucial mediator of digestive inflammation expressed on the surfaces of T and B cells.

Vedolizumab prevents lymphocytic cells from penetrating the gut lamina propria and gut-associated lymphoid tissue by specifically inhibiting the α4β7 integrin, which in turn reduces adherence of lymphocytes to their natural ligand, mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) (GALT).

Inhibiting this mechanism in particular reduces GI inflammation without affecting systemic immune responses.

• Metabolism of Entyvio:

The predicted outcome of metabolism is receptor-mediated clearance and proteolytic breakdown to tiny peptides and individual amino acids.

• Pathway of elimination:

Given that vedolizumab is a high molecular weight protein, renal clearance is minimal.

• Absorption:

Since the administration method is intravenous, there is no data on absorption, therefore 100% bioavailability is anticipated.

Warnings

Inform your doctor if you or anyone else in your home has ever had tuberculosis. Tell your doctor if you’ve lately traveled as well. You can expose yourself to fungal infections and TB while traveling.

Make sure any doctor caring for your unborn child is aware that you used Entyvio when you were pregnant if you did. Vedolizumab exposure during pregnancy may impact your unborn child’s immunization regimen in the first few months of life.