Vedolizumab ENTYVIO®

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Vedolizumab belongs to a group of medicines called Biological Drugs. Vedolizumab works in a different way to the anti-TNF drugs (Infliximab and Adalimumab), because it is a ‘gut-selective integrin blocker’. It binds to integrin α₄β₇. Blocking the α₄β₇ integrin results in gut-selective anti-inflammatory activity.

White blood cells are made by the immune system to fight against infection. However, in CD and UC, overproduction of white blood cells leads to inflammation – Vedolizumab works by stopping the white blood cells from entering the lining of the gut. This means that the drug only targets the gut, rather than the whole of the body like the anti-TNF drugs do, and may cause fewer side effects.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO WORK?

You may begin to feel better within a few days or it may take between two to six weeks after your first treatment.

References