How long does an Entyvio infusion take?

Entyvio infusions take about 30 minutes, but your entire clinic visit might be a couple of hours. Entyvio infusions are given by a healthcare provider as an infusion through a needle placed in a vein in your arm or as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection you do at home after training.

Entyvio (vedolizumab) from Takeda Pharmaceuticals is FDA-approved to treat adult patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis or moderate to severe Crohn‘s disease.

Entyvio is classified as an integrin receptor antagonist that blocks circulating inflammatory cells to decrease inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Here’s how your infusions will work:

• Starting doses: You will be given 2 starting dose infusions of 30 minutes each. Initially to start treatment you will receive these infusions at week 0 (your 1st dose), week 2, and then at week 6 you can start your maintenance dose.
• Maintenance doses: After your starting doses, you'll get one 30‑minute infusion every 8 weeks in order to keep your disease under control.
• You can usually go back to your normal activities after the infusion.

After the first year, you will receive 6 Entyvio infusions per year. Infusion locations may include your doctor’s office, a local infusion center, a hospital or even at your home. Talk to your doctor and insurance company about which location may be best and most affordable for you.

Infusion and serious allergic reactions due to Entyvio can happen while you are receiving the drug or for several hours after treatment.

• Because of this, your health care provider will watch you closely during and after the Entyvio infusion for side effects to see if you have a reaction to the drug.
• Symptoms of a reaction might include: rash, itching, swelling of your lips, tongue throat or face, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, wheezing, dizziness, feeling hot, or palpitations (racing heart beat).
• If you experience these symptoms after leaving the clinic, call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room.

Related Questions

• How much does Entyvio cost per month?
• Is Entyvio an immunosuppressant or a biologic?
• How long does it take Entyvio to start working?

Can I administer Entyvio at home?

The FDA has approved a subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Entyvio (vedolizumab) for adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease after initial IV induction therapy with Entyvio. The new dosage form, given as an injection under the skin, comes as a prefilled pen or syringe.

Patients or caregivers can learn to inject Entyvio at home after training on the subcutaneous injection technique. Subcutaneous Entyvio is given every 2 weeks. You may receive your first subcutaneous injection after at least 2 intravenous (IV) infusions (induction therapy).

Entyvio is available as a prefilled syringe or as a prefilled pen for subcutaneous injection that contains a 108 mg dose. You and your doctor may decide that you can switch to the subcutaneous injection at week 6 after receiving two Entyvio intravenous doses administered at Week 0 and Week 2.

After induction therapy, you can also remain on the intravenous doses given every 8 weeks instead of using the subcutaneous injection.

This is not all the information you need to know about Entyvio (vedolizumab) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.