Entyvio
It is the brand name of a drug called vedolizumab that belongs to a group of medications called integrin receptor antagonists. Monoclonal antibodies are actually proteins that recognize and bind to certain special proteins in the human body.
It works in a similar way as the natural antibodies produced by the human immune system.
Uses
This medication is used in adults with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease – a disease where there is a chronic inflammation of the GI tract (gastrointestinal tract).
It is also used in adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis – a disease in which the large bowel becomes inflamed, resulting in signs and symptoms, like – diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, rectal bleeding, and rectal pain.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most frequent types of inflammatory bowel disease and are described by long-term inflammation of different parts of the gut.
Note – this medication is typically prescribed for adults with moderate-to-severe IBD for whom other corticosteroids, anti-TNF medicines, or immunomodulator medicines do not work well enough.
Dosage
It is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein by a doctor. The treatment with the drug is the same for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The usual recommended dose is 300 mg administered by intravenous infusion at 0 (zero), 2 (two), and 6 (six) weeks. If there has been a good response to the first doses, you may continue this treatment with further doses every 8 (eight) weeks.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Vedolizumab
Common side effects may include:
- fever;
- nausea;
- sinus pain;
- back pain;
- joint pain;
- rash, itching;
- a sore throat;
- a stuffy nose;
- tired feeling;
- headaches;
- pain in the arms or legs;
- the common cold.
Rare side effects may include:
- skin sores;
- oozing around the anal area;
- severe diarrhea;
- body aches;
- pain when swallowing;
- mouth and throat ulcers;
- diarrhea which is watery or bloody;
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- clay-colored stools;
- dark urine;
- loss of appetite;
- upper stomach pain;
- unexplained weight loss.
Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have liver problems;
- have an infection;
- have recently received or you are scheduled to receive a vaccine;
- have tuberculosis;
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant;
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol intake while using this integrin receptor antagonist.
Remicade
It is the brand name of a drug called infliximab that belongs to a class of medications called tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.
Uses
This drug is typically used to treat severe or disabling plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (a chronic autoimmune disease described by a form of inflammation of the skin and joints), rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0 (zero), 2 (two) and 6 (six) weeks. The treatment is followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks.
The usual recommended dose for the treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis is 3 mg/kg at 0 (zero), 2 (two) and 6 (six) weeks. This treatment is followed by a maintenance regimen of 3 mg/kg every 8 weeks.
The usual recommended dose for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis is 5 mg/kg given at 0 (zero), 2 (two) and 6 (six) weeks. The treatment is followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks.
The usual recommended dose for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease or fistulizing Crohn’s disease is 5 mg/kg at 0 (zero), 2 (two) and 6 (six) weeks. The treatment is followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks.
Note – this medication usually starts to take effect within 48 hours for most individuals, while other patients may have to wait a few weeks.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Infliximab
Common side effects may include:
- a cough;
- sinus pain;
- a stuffy nose;
- headaches;
- a sore throat;
- stomach discomfort or pain.
Rare side effects may include:
- new growths on the skin;
- easy bruising or bleeding;
- skin changes;
- upper stomach pain;
- pale skin;
- joint pain or swelling;
- muscle pain;
- trouble swallowing;
- swelling of the face or hands;
- skin rash;
- problems with vision;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes;
- a weak feeling in the arms or legs;
- loss of appetite;
- rapid weight gain;
- feeling constantly tired;
- dark urine;
- night sweats;
- clay-colored stools;
- swollen glands (in the armpits, neck, or groin).
To be sure that this medication is good for you, let your healthcare professional know if you have or ever had any of the following:
- nervous system disorders, such as – Guillain-Barré syndrome or multiple sclerosis;
- an immune system problem;
- tuberculosis or have been near someone who has tuberculosis;
- heart failure or any heart condition;
- type 2 diabetes mellitus;
- hepatitis B virus infection or think you may be a carrier of the hepatitis B virus;
- infections which keep coming back;
- any type of cancer or a risk factor for developing any form of cancer, for instance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a form of obstructive lung disease characterized by poor airflow and long-term breathing problems) or had phototherapy for psoriasis;
- recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine;
- are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding;
- use medicines that treat the same problems as this one;
- use the drugs – Orencia (abatacept), Kineret (anakinra), or Actemra (tocilizumab);
- lived in a region where certain fungal infections, such as – coccidioidomycosis (the fungus which causes this condition is known to live in the soil in the Central and South America and the southwestern United States) or histoplasmosis (the fungus that causes this condition lives in the soil which contains large amounts of bat or bird droppings) are common.
Drug Interactions
It may interact with the following drugs:
- azathioprine;
- Humira;
- Imuran;
- methotrexate;
- prednisone.
Entyvio vs Remicade – Differences
Entyvio (active ingredient – vedolizumab) is a treatment for adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease and moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, two forms of inflammatory bowel disease.
It works by reducing the effects of a substance in the human body that can cause inflammation.
Remicade (active ingredient – infliximab) is an injectable prescription drug that is used to treat Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, and the scaly skin patches of plaque psoriasis.
It works by reducing the effects of specific substances in the human body which can cause inflammation.
Image credit – Shutterstock & Getty
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References https://www.remicade.com/crohns-disease https://www.entyvio.co.uk/media/GEMINI-Studies http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1215739 http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/ro_RO/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_