vedolizumab at a glance
Medicine class
Gut-selective monoclonal antibody and integrin antagonist
Licensed uses
Adult ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease; intravenous treatment also covers selected chronic pouchitis
Administration
Given by intravenous infusion in a healthcare setting or, after training and initial intravenous treatment, by injection under the skin
What is vedolizumab used for?
Licensed uses include:
Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults whose response to conventional treatment or a TNF-alpha antagonist was inadequate, lost or not tolerated.
Moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in adults whose response to conventional treatment or a TNF-alpha antagonist was inadequate, lost or not tolerated.
Intravenous treatment of moderately to severely active chronic pouchitis in adults after surgery for ulcerative colitis, where antibiotic treatment was inadequate or lost effectiveness.
How does vedolizumab work?
Vedolizumab binds to alpha-4-beta-7 integrin on certain gut-homing lymphocytes. This blocks their attachment to MAdCAM-1 on bowel blood vessels, reducing movement of inflammatory cells into gastrointestinal tissue.
vedolizumab preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 300 mg
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 108 mg
How to take vedolizumab
Intravenous vedolizumab is prepared and given by healthcare professionals, with observation during and after the infusion. A trained patient or caregiver may inject the pre-filled syringe under the skin when the specialist considers this appropriate.
Let a refrigerated pre-filled syringe reach room temperature for 30 minutes before use; do not warm it by another method.
Keep it protected from light. Do not freeze it or use it if it has been frozen.
Check that the solution is colourless to yellow and has no visible particles.
Use each pre-filled syringe once and follow the supplied injection instructions and training.
vedolizumab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Common-cold symptoms and other respiratory infections
- Nausea
- Fever or tiredness
- Cough
- Injection-site pain, redness, swelling or itching with subcutaneous treatment
- Infusion-related symptoms with intravenous treatment
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic or infusion reaction, including breathing difficulty, swelling, dizziness or collapse
- Serious infection, suggested by high fever, chills, persistent cough or marked illness
- New or worsening neurological symptoms that could suggest progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
- Yellow skin or eyes, right-sided abdominal pain or unexplained bruising suggesting hepatitis
- New or worsening shortness of breath that could indicate interstitial lung disease
vedolizumab in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information remains limited. Product information advises avoiding vedolizumab as a precaution unless its benefits clearly outweigh possible risks to the pregnant person and fetus. Anyone pregnant, planning pregnancy or becoming pregnant during treatment should discuss this promptly with their gastroenterology and maternity teams rather than stopping treatment independently.
vedolizumab while breastfeeding
Vedolizumab has been detected in human milk, while its effects on a breastfed infant and milk production remain uncertain. The decision should balance disease control, potential infant exposure and the benefits of breastfeeding, with specialist advice, particularly for premature or medically vulnerable infants.
vedolizumab interactions
Formal interaction studies are limited. Tell the specialist and vaccination team about all medicines and vaccines.
Other biological immune-suppressing treatments
Concurrent use is not recommended because combined effects and safety have not been established.
Natalizumab or rituximab
Previous use requires specialist review because clinical experience around sequencing with vedolizumab is limited.
Common questions about vedolizumab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is vedolizumab an immunosuppressant?
It is a gut-selective immunosuppressive biologic. It targets immune-cell movement into the bowel and has no identified broad systemic immunosuppressive activity, although serious and opportunistic infections remain possible.
Can vedolizumab be injected at home?
Yes. The subcutaneous formulation may be used by a patient or caregiver after initial intravenous treatment, appropriate training and approval from the specialist.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.