Several autoimmune illnesses (disorders in which the immune system assaults healthy body parts and results in pain, swelling, and destruction) affect the digestive tract, such as:

• When different treatments have been used to treat Crohn’s disease, which is a disorder where the body attacks the lining of the digestive tract, discomfort, diarrhoea, weight loss, and fever persist.
• When various drugs have been used to treat ulcerative colitis, which results in swelling and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine, nothing has changed.

The drug vedolizumab injection belongs to the group of drugs known as integrin receptor antagonists. It functions by preventing specific body cells from acting in a way that causes inflammation.

A doctor or nurse will mix the powder form of vedolizumab injection with sterile water and administer it intravenously (into a vein) over the course of 30 minutes. It is typically administered at a doctor’s office once every 2 to 8 weeks, more frequently at the start of your treatment and less frequently as it progresses.

Serious adverse responses during an infusion and for several hours following are possible with vedolizumab injection. During this period, a doctor or nurse will keep an eye on you to make sure you are not having a severe reaction to the medication. To address adverse vedolizumab injection responses, different drugs might be prescribed to you. If you develop any of the following symptoms during or during your infusion, call your doctor or nurse right once. A fast or racing heartbeat, rash, itching, swelling of the cheeks, eyes, mouth, throat, tongue, or lips; difficulty breathing or swallowing; wheezing; flushing; dizziness; feeling overheated; or any of these symptoms.

The injection of vedolizumab might help you manage your symptoms, but it won’t make your disease go away. Your doctor will closely monitor you to determine how effectively the vedolizumab injection functions for you. After 14 weeks, if your condition has not improved, your doctor may decide to discontinue giving you vedolizumab injections. It is critical to communicate your feelings to your doctor during your therapy.

When you start therapy with vedolizumab injection and after each dose, your doctor or chemist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet (Medication Guide). If you have any questions, carefully read the information and ask your doctor or chemist. The Medication Guide is also available on the manufacturer’s website or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking vedolizumab,

• If you have any allergies, including to vedolizumab, other medicines, or any of the substances in vedolizumab injection, notify your doctor right away. For a list of the ingredients, consult the Medication Guide or speak with your chemist.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), golimumab (Simponi), infliximab (Remicade), or natalizumab (Tysabri) should all be mentioned. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you have liver issues, have tuberculosis or have been in close contact with someone who has it, suspect you may have an infection, experience recurrent infections, or have persistent infections that won’t go away.
• Inform your physician if you are nursing a baby, intend to get pregnant, or are already pregnant. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking vedolizumab.
• Before starting your vedolizumab injectable medication, inquire with your doctor about any recommended vaccines. All immunisations should ideally be current before starting treatment. Without consulting your doctor, avoid getting any immunisations while you are receiving therapy.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Call your physician as soon as you can if you are unable to keep a scheduled vedolizumab infusion appointment.

Vedolizumab could have unwanted effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Back or joint ache
• Discomfort in the arms and legs

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you encounter any of these symptoms, or seek emergency care:

• Indications of infection include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, chills, and pains.
• Body sores or skin that is red or uncomfortable
• Discomfort while urinating
• Uncertainty or issues with memory
• Decline in balance
• Alterations in speech or walking
• Weakened or diminished strength on one side of your body
• Eyesight loss or hazy vision
• Extreme fatigue
• Reduced appetite
• Stomach ache in the top right corner
• Significant bruising or bleeding
• Dark faeces
• Eyes or skin that have a yellow tint

Other negative effects of vedolizumab are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 if you suffer a serious side event.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

If you have any inquiries about vedolizumab, ask your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.