Safest Biologics

Stelara has a pretty good safety record and is also licensed to treat psoriasis so you may end up killing two birds with one stone...

So sorry you're experiencing this! I was just logging on to ask a very similar question. I'm on Entyvio every 6 weeks, and get symptoms around week 5. I was on Humira before this and don't think that Entyvio is as strong as Humira, but think that Entyvio has a better safety profile. My doctor and I have discussed going to every 4 weeks. For me, food plays a role, so I'm trying to look at that as well before I move to every 4 weeks. I agree that you should reach out to your doc through the portal.
Sorry that I don't have much advice, just wanted to let you know that you're not alone!

PamSmith said...
I am on entyvio and now see blood at 7th week.

Have you finished your loading doses? Were you on pred during the loading doses? If the answer to both questions, give it more time. Enyvio is slower to kick in than other meds. I think I was told to allow 3 months to see improvement and longer to reach full remission. How are your other symptoms?

I always thought of Entyvio as the "safer" biologic because it was specifically developed for UC and targets the colon. All the other biologics and jak inhibitors are more systemic. I don't know of any that have psoriasis as a side effect, but there could be some. Most were developed for either arthritis or psoriasis and then eventually got approved for UC.

I went from Entyvio to Humira and now infliximab (Remicade/Inflectra). I loved Entyvio but it only worked for me for about a year. Humira never really worked.. Infliximab got me functional pretty quickly, but it took almost 2 years with dose changes until I reached remission.

Ohhhh… I thought you had been on entyvio for quite some time. Thought you meant every 7th week you were seeing blood.

It took me 4 months before I was symptom free. You are still pretty early on. Did you see any improvements at all since starting it? My biggest improvement I saw early on was being able to wean off prednisone (which I believe I started the slow weaning with my first infusion or maybe the second). Then it was just a slow lessening of symptoms. I still had occasional days here and there of symptoms before the end of those 4 months. On those days I used Canasa suppositories and uceris foam. Can you use either of those?

I wouldn’t give up on entyvio yet. But definitely talk to your GI and see about adding in uceris foam or enemas. Maybe even a short course of budenoside if the bleeding continues.

The first 8 week interval between doses was an issue for me but I don’t recall if I saw blood or if it was just cramping and increase of BMs. I think even my 2nd 8 week stretch I ended up with a few issues although lesser than the first time. After that I was good. But a scope showed there was still some inflammation at the microscopic level. In another 6 months from that I was officially in complete remission and have remained so since. Healing from severe inflammation does take time.

Good luck and let us know what your GI suggests.

I am taking TOFACITINIB / XELJANZ....how safe is that one? Anyone on it.........if so how are the results so far? This is my 3rd try.....Humira and Remicade did not work out.

Pam, Hopefully a longer try on Entivio will work for you. With re: psoriasis, I noticed that the Jansen site lists 'new or worsening psoriasis' as one of the possible side effects of Remicade. (Just had my infusion today and can’t resist re-checking the side effects page every time 😂).

Thank you everyone. Didn't mean to scare anyone. I was trying to find out my options if I need to change.

@Brucen36 - Entyvio works better for TNF naïve patients so not sure how recycling would work. I was on 6mp and was in complete remission but I had very high 6MMP level and I was mildly bleeding so I had to switch. But I do wonder if I can go back. I was scared to start with but it gave me 9 to 10 years of complete remission.

@FlowersGal- I did add 2 mesalamine DR and Canasa and see improvement. Dr's office said the same thing that they don't want to change anything. It is too early.