Products
Vedolizumab was approved in many countries in 2015 as a powder for a concentrate for the preparation of an infusion solution (Entyvio). In 2020, a prefilled pen and prefilled syringe were also registered.
Structure and properties
Vedolizumab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody with a molecular mass of 147 kDa.
Effects
Vedolizumab (ATC L04AA33) has anti-inflammatory and selective immunosuppressive properties. The antibody binds to the α4β7-integrin on intestinal T lymphocytes, selectively inhibiting memory cell adhesion to mucosomal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1) on intestinal endothelial cells. MAdCAM-1 plays an important role in the intestine in the migration of T lymphocytes from the blood to lymphoid tissue.
Indications
As a second-line agent for the treatment of:
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
Dosage
According to the SmPC. The drug is administered as an intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Active severe infections and opportunistic infections.
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Adverse effects
The most common possible adverse effects include headache, joint pain, back pain, upper respiratory tract infection, flu, cough, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, and nausea.