How is Entyvio administered?

Entyvio (vedolizumab) can be administered in two ways: through an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare provider for the first 2 doses, and as a subcutaneous (SC) (under the skin) injection for subsequent doses that you can self-administer at home using a prefilled pen or syringe.

How is Entyvio IV administered?

Entyvio IV is administered by a healthcare provider at your healthcare provider's clinic or office. A cannula is inserted into a vein in your arm and Entyvio is infused through this. This is called an intravenous infusion.

Patients receiving Entyvio will need to sit with the cannula in their arm for 30 minutes while the infusion is delivered. A medical professional will administer the infusion and monitor you during and after to ensure that any adverse reactions are properly handled.

How is SC Entyvio administered?

Your healthcare provider will teach you how to self-administer Entyvio using a prefilled pen or syringe, subcutaneously.

• Do not attempt to self-administer Entyvio until your healthcare provider has taught you how to do so.
• Entyvio is available as a single-dose prefilled syringe or a single-dose prefilled pen. Both are administered subcutaneously (under the skin).

Instructions for the self-administration of Entyvio SC

Remove one Entyvio prefilled syringe/pen from the refrigerator and check the expiry date on the box.

• Do not use the prefilled syringe/pen if any of the seals on the box are broken or it has passed its expiry date.
• Wait 30 minutes to allow the prefilled syringe/pen to come up to room temperature. Leave it in its tray. Do not warm in any other way. Do not expose it to direct sunlight.
• Wash your hands with soap and clean water and remove the prefilled syringe/pen from its tray. Do not shake it.
• Inspect the syringe/pen. It should be colorless to pale yellow. It is normal to see air bubbles. Do not use it if expired, is cloudy, has particles floating in it, or is damaged.
• Choose an injection site. This can be either the front of your thighs or your stomach area (avoid the area 2 inches around your belly button). If you have a caregiver administering the injection for you, the back of your upper arms may also be used.
• Do not inject into the same spot you used for your last injection. Do not inject into moles, scars, bruises, or skin that is tender, hard, red, or damaged.
• Clean the injection site with an alcohol pad and let your skin dry. Do not touch or blow on the cleaned injection site before you inject. If you are using the syringe, remove the needle cap and throw it away. If you are using the pen, remove the purple cap and throw it away.

If you are using the syringe, pinch up the skin at your chosen injection site with your other hand and insert the needle at a 45-degree angle all the way into the pinched skin.

• Push the plunger all the way down until all the medicine is injected. Keep pressure on the plunger and withdraw the needle from the skin.
• Release your thumb off the plunger, the needle guard should cover the needle.

If you are using the pen, place the yellow end of the prefilled pen flat on your skin at 90 degrees to the injection site (straight up and down).

• When you are ready to inject, push down on the pen and the needle will pop out into your skin under the yellow needle shield. Hold for at least 10 seconds.
• You may hear a first click when the injection starts. You may also hear a second click. This is not the end of the injection. Continue holding the prefilled pen with constant pressure until the window has filled with purple to make sure you have received your full dose.
• You will see a small amount of gray in the viewing window. This is normal. Lift the prefilled pen from the skin and throw it away (dispose of) in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. Do not recycle or throw it away in your household trash.

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?

Read next

See also:

Related medical questions

• Does Entyvio cause weight gain?
• Entyvio and the COVID vaccine, what should I know?
• Does Entyvio cause joint pain?
• Can Entyvio cause hair loss?
• Will I lose weight with Entyvio?
• How long has Entyvio been on the market?
• How long does an Entyvio infusion take?
• Does Medicaid cover Entyvio?
• Can Entyvio be given at home?
• Is Entyvio used to treat ulcerative colitis?
• Is Entyvio used to treat Crohn’s disease?
• What is the MOA for Entyvio and how does it work?
• How does Entyvio copay assistance work?

Drug information

• Entyvio Information for Consumers
• Entyvio prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
• Side Effects of Entyvio (detailed)
• Entyvio user reviews (164)

Related support groups

• Entyvio (24 questions, 34 members)
• Ulcerative Colitis (73 questions, 188 members)
• Crohn's Disease (60 questions, 285 members)

Medical Disclaimer