Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Cimzia® (certolizumab)

Description

Cimzia® decreases inflammation in the body by binding to and blocking a protein called tumor necrosis factor alpha. It is FDA approved for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active Crohn’sDisease and maintaining clinical response in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy (e.g., glucocorticoids, immune modifiers).

Dosing and Administration

Cimzia® can be self-administered subcutaneously. The recommended dose for Cimzia® is 400 mg initially, and at weeks 2 and 4, and then every 4 weeks in patients who obtained a clinical response.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors include infusion or injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections, and allergic reactions. There is also a slight risk of more serious side effects including lymphoma and serious infections.

Entyvio ® (vedolizumab)

Description

Entyvio® decreases inflammation in the body by blocking the integration of specific integrin receptors with a specific protein in the body. It is FDA approved for inducing and maintaining clinical response and remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease who have failed treatment with a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor or immune modifier therapy.

Dosing and Administration

Entyvio® is an infused medication and should be administered by health care professionals only. The recommended dose is 300 mg initially, and then at weeks 2, 6, and then every eight weeks thereafter.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects of Entyvio® include infusion or injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections, and allergic reactions. Although not yet reported in clinical practice, another integrin recetprantagonist has been associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Symptoms of this disorder include weakness on one side of the body, changes in vision, memory, thinking, and personality.

Humira® (adalimumab)

Description

Humira® decreases inflammation in the body by binding to and blocking a protein called tumor necrosis factor alpha. It is FDA approved for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in adult and pediatric patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease and in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy (e.g., glucocorticoids, immune modifers).

Dosing and Administration

Humira® can be self-administered subcutaneously. The recommended dose for Humira® in adult patients with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis is 160 mg initially, 80 mg two weeks later, and then 40 mg every 4 weeks.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors include infusion or injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections, and allergic reactions. There is also a slight risk of more serious side effects including lymphoma and serious infections.

Remicade® (infliximab)

Description

Remicade® decreases inflammation in the body by binding to and blocking a protein called tumor necrosis factor alpha. It is FDA approved for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in adult and pediatric patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy (e.g., glucocorticoids, immune modifers).

Dosing and Administration

Remicade® is an infused medication and should be administered by health care professionals only. The recommended dose for Remicade® in adult patients with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis is 5 mg/kg initially, at weeks 2 and 6, and then every 8 weeks.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors include infusion or injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections, and allergic reactions. There is also a slight risk of more serious side effects including lymphoma and serious infections.

Simponi® (golimumab)

Description

Simponi® decreases inflammation in the body by binding to and blocking a protein called tumor necrosis factor alpha. It is FDA approved for inducing and maintaining clinical remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy (e.g., glucocorticoids, immune modifers).

Dosing and Administration

Simponi® can be self-administered subcutaneously. The recommended dose for Simponi® in adult patients with ulcerative colitis is 200 mg initially, 100 mg two weeks later, and then 100 mg every 4 weeks.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors include infusion or injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections, and allergic reactions. There is also a slight risk of more serious side effects including lymphoma and serious infections.

Stelara® (ustekinumab)

Description

Stelara® decreases inflammation in the body by binding to and blocking proteins called IL-12 and IL-23. It is FDA approved for treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy (e.g., glucocorticoids, immune modifers) and/or one or more tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.

Dosing and Administration

Stelara® can be self-administered subcutaneously. The recommended dose for Stelara® in adult patients with Crohn’s is 260 to 520 mg initially depending on body weight, and then 90 mg every 8 weeks.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects of Stelara® include naropharyngitis, upper respiratory infections, headache, tiredness, and fatigue. There is also a slight risk of more serious side effects including risk of serious infections and reactivation of latent infections.

Tysabri ® (natalizumab)

Description

Tysabri® decreased inflammation in the body by blocking the integration of specific integrin receptors with a specific protein in the body. It is FDA approved for inducing and maintaining clinical response and remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who have failed treatment with a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor and immune modifier therapy.

Dosing and Administration

Tysabri® is an infused medication and should be administered by health care professionals only. The recommended dose is 300 mg every 4 weeks.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects of Tysabri® include infusion or injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections, and allergic reactions. There is also a risk of a serious adverse effect called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Symptoms of this disorder should be monitored for and include weakness on one side of the body, changes in vision, memory, thinking, and personality.