Entyvio Infusions

If you've maxed out the mesalamine medication (4 grams oral pentasa and 4 grams enema) and still have bad symptoms and severe inflammation then it's time to think about stronger medications. The second class of medications tried for uc are immunomodulators (Imuran/azathioprine or 6mp) they take a couple months to work and require routine blood monitoring. Although, some gastroenterologists are going straight to the third class of medications which is biologics (entyvio, humira, remicade, or simponi). Entyvio is a newer gut-specific biologic, surpressing only that portion of your immune system. As a result, you'll likely experience less risk of infections and other body-wide symptoms as is typical of remicade, humira, or simponi. Disadvantage is it's a much newer medication without as long of a track record.

Entyvio is an IV infusion given by a nurse at some gastroenterologist offices, othertimes hospital outpatient. It's a 30 minute infusion, they put a bandaid on and away you go. I'd highly recommended signing up for the manufacturers copay assistance program for entyvio.

I have heard pentasa is the least effective for treating UC out of that class of meds, so I would definitely try asacol/lialda/apriso before giving up. I know taking pills isn't fun, but it is better than taking drugs with higher chances of complications. Entyvio is okay. it didn't work to calm my UC, but nothing else did either. The infusion is pretty easy and quick, not as easy as something you administer at home such as Simponi. I tried Simponi first out of all biologics out of convenience, unfortunately, none of them worked for me. I was a nonresponder. If it works for you, entyvio could be a good option. I never had any adverse reactions to it.

I haven't taken a pill for my uc since january of 2016. I do get a needle ever 8 weeks for remicade though. The billing for biologics is much more complex, not as simple as uc pills are. Entyvio is an expensive one too, north of $12,000 an infusion, and often involves hospital billing copays etc. Just make sure you have researched your insurance policy well and read all of the fine print. For many of us, the patient copay assistance programs pay hundreds of dollars or more for each visit. Never just assume. But if you have a great policy that covers everything then you've indeed found yourself a diamond within a bucket of sludgy policies, so consider yourself a lucky ducky.

Good luck!

Personally, I've had the least side effects of any of the non-mesalazine UC drugs from Entyvio so far. Ironically one of the worst side effects may be susceptibility to gut bugs. There was a virus that went around work where people got headache, dizzy, loose stools. My stools were so loose it was like I'd taken moviprep! but it cleared up fine in a week.

The 8 week gaps are seemingly a bit long for me, usually symptoms are kicking in again after 6 weeks. It hasn't totally cleared the proctitis. My calprotectin has remain raised but bloods all getting back into line.

Well, I start my first infusion tomorrow. Hopefully it helps. I'm so tired of the cramps and urgency and running to the toilet as I'm sure everyone else is. My insurance will cover it so I guess I am one "lucky ducky" iPoop. lol
Appreciate the comments.

Good luck! It can take a while for Entyvio to start working so be patient. I go for my 3rd infusion next week and am doing fine but I am also still on prednisone (down to 15 mg now). I haven't had any side effects at all from the Entyvio.

are you or have you ever used rectal meds there mspoops ? what is your diabetes diet like ? have you considered FMT ?

Soynomore, no I haven't tried rectal meds and really don't want to do the FMT. Not knocking it, whatever works. I'm not at that point yet anyway. Not saying I would never try it, just not right now. My diet is honestly, not the best. I don't like veggies, I like my breads, pasta and potatoes. I know that the breads and dairy is what plays havoc on me the most. I know I have to stop eating it for both my diabetes and my colitis but it's hard. Had my first infusion yesterday so we'll see what happens there.