Entyvio (vedolizumab) might not be the right choice for every patient. In such cases, it is important to discuss with a medical provider potential Entyvio alternatives.
Entyvio Alternatives
NOTE: These medications are extremely patient-specific and can vary greatly. It is important to discuss all medications with physicians.
What are your options when it comes to alternatives for Entyvio?
For Pregnancy
For individuals who are not taking Entyvio during pregnancy, other options for treating Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are available. These include infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), and certolizumab (Cimzia), although these may cross the placenta later on. Healthcare providers might administer the final dose during the middle part of the third trimester as a precaution.
Azathioprine and some other immunomodulators are also considered low risk for pregnancy for treating Crohn’s disease, although more research is needed.
Other options include corticosteroids for easing inflammation and aminosalicylates, such as sulfasalazine. Women should discuss the use of alternative medications during pregnancy with their healthcare provider.
For Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
Several alternatives for Entyvio are available to treat ulcerative colitis, such as tofacitinib (Xeljanz), which is a janus kinase inhibitor. Other types include TNF-alpha inhibitors, such as adalimumab (Humira), golimumab (Simponi), and infliximab (Remicade). These TMF-alpha inhibitors neutralize a certain type of protein made in the immune system in order to manage UC symptoms.
For Crohn’s Disease
For those who are unable to take Entyvio, several alternative medications for Crohn’s disease are available. These include natalizumab (Tysabri), which is an integrin receptor antagonist, and ustekinumab (Stelara), an interleukin IL-12 and IL-23 antagonist. Other medications include TNF-alpha inhibitors adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), and infliximab (Remicade), which neutralize an immune system protein to help relieve symptoms.
For Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Entyvio is a biologic agent that is being studied as a possible treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Other biologic medications may provide alternative forms of treatment for RA. These include infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), golimumab (Simponi), and tofacitinib (Xeljanz). These medications help prevent the immune system from attacking healthy tissue.
For IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Several alternatives to Entyvio for those who have irritable bowel syndrome include alosetron to help relax the colon and eluxadoline for treating diarrhea. Rifaximin is an antibiotic that helps limit bacterial growth in the intestines. Lubiprostone and linaclotide are alternatives that help increase fluid secretion in the intestine.
For Celiac Disease
A few alternative forms of treatment for Celiac disease are available, including steroids to help ease inflammation and medications such as azathioprine and budesonide for easing intestinal inflammation.
Vedolizumab Alternatives
What are your options when it comes to alternatives for vedolizumab?
For GVHD
Graft vs host disease/runt disease (GVHD) can occur when T cells from a donor identify healthy host cells as foreign and attack them. A 2019 study showed that additional research is needed to better understand the safety of using vedolizumab in patients with GVHD. Medications that are used to prevent GVHD include methotrexate, which is also used in some cases for treating Crohn’s disease.
For Pouchitis
Pouchitis can occur following surgery for ulcerative colitis, resulting in incontinence, an increased need to pass stool, and other symptoms. Initial treatment for pouchitis might involve taking a course of antibiotics for 14 days, along with probiotics. If this inflammation continues to occur, other forms of treatment might be needed, A 2018 study showed that vedolizumab eased chronic pouchitis symptoms. Additional research is needed on other biologic medications to determine their effectiveness at treating pouchitis.
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