Can Entyvio be given at home?

You may receive Entyvio at home by intravenous (IV) infusion given by a healthcare provider (if approved by your doctor and insurance) or as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. The subcutaneous pen or syringe injection is approved as maintenance (long-term) therapy for patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

The FDA has approved subcutaneous Entyvio for maintenance (long-term) therapy in adults after two initial doses with intravenous (IV) Entyvio. You can learn to give Entyvio as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection for maintenance therapy after initial induction therapy with intravenous Entyvio. You, or a caregiver, can inject Entyvio at home after training on the subcutaneous injection technique.

An IV infusion delivers the medicine through a needle placed into a vein in your arm. Most insurance companies, including Medicare, include home infusion therapy as a benefit. If needed, you may also receive this infusion at your healthcare provider's office, a local infusion clinic, or a hospital.

Entyvio is in a group of drugs known as integrin receptor antagonists. It works by specifically targeting circulating inflammatory white blood cells in the gut (instead of the entire body) to help control inflammation and symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Learn more: Compare Entyvio alternatives

How is Entyvio administered at home?

Intravenous (IV) infusion for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

Entyvio is given by a healthcare provider, often a nurse, as an intravenous (IV) infusion that takes about 30 minutes. Your total treatment time may be longer based on any preparation or observation that may be needed. You can typically go back to your normal activities after the infusion.

When you first start IV Entyvio, you will receive 2 initial (induction) IV doses 2 weeks apart. At 6 weeks, you can start Entyvio maintenance IV infusions given every 8 weeks for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis maintenance (long-term) treatment.

Your healthcare provider will monitor you during and after the infusion into your vein for side effects to the medicine in case you need treatment. Infusion-related reactions and serious allergic reactions can occur during treatment and for several hours afterwards.

Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms during or after an infusion of Entyvio:

• Rash
• Itching
• Swelling of your lips, tongue, throat or face
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Wheezing
• Dizziness
• Feeling hot
• Palpitations (racing heart beat)

The most common side effects of Entyvio include: common cold symptoms, headache, joint pain, back pain, and pain in extremities, nausea, fever, infections of the nose and throat, tiredness, cough, bronchitis, flu, rash, itching, sinus infection, and throat pain.

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Subcutaneous injection for ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease

For moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, patients or caregivers may inject Entyvio after training on the subcutaneous injection technique. Do not inject Entyvio until you have been trained.

• Following the first two inducation intravenous doses administered by a healthcare provider at Week 0 and Week 2, Entyvio may be switched to SC injection (given under the skin in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm area) at Week 6.
• The recommended SC dosage at Week 6 is 108 mg administered SC every 2 weeks.
• Patients in clinical response or remission beyond Week 6 may also be switched from the IV infusion to SC injection.

The SC dosage forms (108 mg/0.68 mL) include a single-dose pre-filled pen and a single-dose prefilled syringe.

Adverse reactions to the SC form are similar to those reported with IV Entyvio with the exception of injection site reactions (including injection site redness, rash, swelling, bruising and hematoma).

How do I set up home infusion with Entyvio?

Once your intravenous (IV) home infusion is approved by your doctor, a local home infusion company will contact you and help you fill out paperwork to verify your insurance benefits. They may need information such as:

• Home address
• Date of birth
• Insurance information
• Medical doctor information
• Times available for infusions

Additional information may come from pharmacists, pharmacy technicians or billing specialists that work at the home infusion company.

Once approved, your infusion nurse will contact you to set up a convenient date and time to receive Entyvio. Your medicine and infusion supplies may be delivered to your home a few days before your infusion.

You can also call EntyvioConnect at 1-844-ENTYVIO (1-844-368-9846) to learn more about nursing and financial support for eligible patients. Entyvio is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

If possible, your insurance company may prefer that you use the subcutaneous injections at home instead of IV infusions.

Related: How much does Entyvio cost per month?

Tips to prepare for your IV infusion

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Get a good night's sleep and be well-rested
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing

This is not all the information you need to know about Entyvio (vedolizumab) for safe and effective use. Review the full Entyvio product information and discuss this information with your doctor or other health care provider.