You may receive Entyvio by intravenous (IV) infusion at home, given by a healthcare provider, if approved by your doctor and insurance. 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 center, or a hospital.
Entyvio (vedolizumab) is approved for treatment of adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, two inflammatory bowel diseases that occur in your digestive tract.
Entyvio is in a group of drugs known as integrin receptor antagonists. They work by blocking certain cells to help decrease inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
Learn more: Compare Entyvio alternatives
How is Entyvio administered at home?
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 Entyvio, your initial (induction) doses begin at week 0, week 2 and week 6. After that, you will receive Entyvio maintenance infusions every 8 weeks for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis maintenance treatment.
Your healthcare provider will monitor you during and after the infusion 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.
How do I set up home infusion with Entyvio?
Once your 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 Nurse Support and Financial Support for eligible patients. Entyvio is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
Related: How much does Entyvio cost per month?
Tips to prepare for your 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.