Entyvio Self-Injection for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Treatment

Understanding Entyvio and How Self-Injection Works

Entyvio (vedolizumab) is a medication used to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It works by blocking a protein called integrin that causes inflammation in the intestines. Entyvio helps reduce this intestinal inflammation, which in turn helps manage the symptoms of these inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Unlike some other IBD medications, Entyvio is administered through intravenous infusion (IV). This means the medication is delivered directly into the bloodstream using an IV line. Typically, a doctor or nurse will administer Entyvio infusions in a hospital or clinic setting.

Benefits of Entyvio Self-Injection

In 2022, Entyvio gained FDA approval for at-home self-injection. This new administration option provides more flexibility and convenience for patients. Here are some key benefits of Entyvio self-injection:

• Fewer in-office visits - Patients can administer doses at home rather than traveling to an infusion center.
• More flexibility - Patients can choose a time that works best for their schedule.
• Less time commitment - Self-injection takes about 10 minutes compared to 30-60 minutes for an infusion.
• Potentially fewer infusion reactions - Some patients experience reactions to IV infusions.

How Entyvio Self-Injection Works

Entyvio self-injection uses a single-dose prefilled syringe or autoinjector pen. The medication dosage and frequency remains the same as IV administration. Here is the process for self-injecting Entyvio:

1. Remove Entyvio syringe or pen from the refrigerator and allow to reach room temperature.
2. Choose an injection site - common sites are the thigh, stomach, or upper arm.
3. Clean the injection site and let the skin dry.
4. Remove caps from the syringe tip or take pen cap off.
5. Insert the syringe needle or place pen firmly against skin at 90 degree angle.
6. Push down on the plunger to deliver medication. Hold in place for 5-10 seconds.
7. Remove needle and dispose of properly.
8. Gently massage injection site.

The steps are very similar whether using the syringe or the autoinjector pen. Be sure to follow all directions provided with your Entyvio prescription. It's also wise to watch self-injection instructional videos for visual guidance.

Getting Started with Self-Administered Entyvio

Before beginning self-injected Entyvio, there are some important steps to take:

• Review training materials - Make sure to read any instructions and watch training videos so you understand proper injection technique.
• Practice injecting - Use a trainer device to practice injecting without real medication. This allows you to get comfortable with the steps.
• Have someone observe - Consider having a friend, family member, or nurse watch your first injection to provide guidance and reassurance.
• Store properly - Keep Entyvio prefilled syringes or pens in the refrigerator until 30 minutes before injecting.
• Rotate sites - Use a different injection site each time to allow skin time to heal.

Your doctor's office can provide detailed advice and instructions for at-home administration. Be sure to contact them with any questions along the way.

When Entyvio Stops Working: Reasons and Next Steps

For many people with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, Entyvio can greatly reduce symptoms and induce remission. However, some patients find that Entyvio loses efficacy over time. There are a few key reasons why this can happen:

Developing Antibodies

One potential cause of Entyvio failure is developing anti-drug antibodies. Antibodies are proteins created by the immune system. In some cases, the body identifies Entyvio as a foreign substance and produces antibodies against it. These antibodies can neutralize the effects of Entyvio.

Studies show antibody development occurs in approximately 6-13% people on Entyvio. Higher antibody levels are associated with decreased drug concentrations and reduced clinical response. Checking drug and antibody levels via blood tests can help identify if this is the cause.

Underlying Disease Progression

For some patients, Entyvio works well controlling IBD for a period of time, but eventually loses efficacy. This may indicate the underlying disease is progressing or becoming more severe. New inflammation and damage in the intestines may emerge that Entyvio can no longer adequately address.

Individual Factors

There are also individual factors that can impact response to Entyvio and other IBD medications. Examples include:

• Genetic or immunologic factors
• Extensive intestinal disease or scarring
• Ongoing acute inflammation
• Presence of other related conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis

The reasons for treatment failure can be complex and vary person-to-person. Doctors may run tests to identify potential causes, but the exact reason is not always pinpointed.

Next Steps When Entyvio Stops Working

If you experience recurrent symptoms and inflammation while on Entyvio, be sure to contact your gastroenterologist. There are several options to consider:

• Change medication - Switching to a drug with a different mechanism of action may help induce remission.
• Check drug levels - A therapeutic drug monitoring test can confirm if Entyvio levels are adequate.
• Shorten dosing intervals - Some patients benefit from receiving Entyvio every 4 weeks instead of 8 weeks.
• Combine with other drugs - Addition of an immunosuppressant may improve results.
• Consider surgery - For severe disease not controlled medically, surgery to remove affected intestines may be warranted.

Be open with your doctor about loss of response so steps can be taken quickly to modify treatment. Being proactive helps prevent complications and further disease progression in the long run.

Tips for Continued Success on Entyvio

To give Entyvio the best chance of success, here are some helpful tips:

Prioritize Consistent Dosing

It's important to maintain the every-4-weeks or every-8-weeks dosing schedule as prescribed by your doctor. Skipping or delaying doses allows inflammation to flare back up. If a dose must be missed due to illness, be sure to reschedule as soon as possible.

Combine with Other Medications

Adding an immunosuppressant medication may improve Entyvio's efficacy and duration of response. Common options include azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, and methotrexate. Discuss combo therapy with your doctor.

Make Lifestyle Changes

While medication treats the underlying disease, lifestyle adjustments help control symptoms. Tips include:

• Avoid foods that trigger symptoms
• Quit smoking
• Reduce stress
• Increase physical activity

A healthier lifestyle supports your treatment regimen.

Monitor Symptoms

Pay close attention to any return of IBD signs like abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fatigue, etc. Reporting flare-ups early allows quick medication adjustments to get inflammation back under control.

Get Regular Checkups

See your gastroenterologist for follow-up appointments as recommended. Routine checkups, exams, and tests help assess your health status and how well treatment is working.

Being an engaged and proactive patient goes hand

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.