Entyvio vs. Humira for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Vedolizumab (Entyvio) and adalimumab (Humira) are both Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) used to treat autoimmune conditions like Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). However, they belong to different medication classes. Vedolizumab is an integrin antagonist, while adalimumab blocks tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Vedolizumab is available as an intravenous infusion or a subcutaneous injection, whereas adalimumab is only given as a subcutaneous injection. Vedolizumab is typically administered every 2 months as an infusion or every 2 weeks as an injection for maintenance, while adalimumab is usually given every 2 weeks. Adalimumab is approved for a wider range of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and plaque psoriasis, and can be used in children for some conditions. Common side effects of vedolizumab include headache and joint pain, while adalimumab can cause injection-site reactions and upper respiratory infections. Both medications can increase the risk of infections, but adalimumab also carries a risk of certain cancers and heart failure.

Entyvio

(vedolizumab)

Get free coupons

Humira

(adalimumab)

Get free coupons

Summary for Entyvio

Prescription only

Entyvio, the brand name for vedolizumab, is an injection used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in adults. It belongs to a drug class called integrin antagonists that helps lower inflammation in the gut. Entyvio (vedolizumab) is an infusion that's given through the vein by a healthcare professional. After the first 2 doses, it's usually given every 2 months. If it works well, people can switch to injections under the skin every 2 weeks using prefilled syringes or pens. Side effects include headache, mild infections, and joint pain.

Indications for Entyvio

Moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults
Moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease (CD) in adults

Pros and Cons for Entyvio

Pros

Have the option for infusions through the vein or injections under the skin after 6 weeks of treatment
Comes as prefilled syringes and pens for injections under the skin that can be given at home

Cons

IV infusions can only be given by a healthcare professional at a medical office
Can raise your risk of serious side effects, like infusion reactions and infections

Common Side Effects for Entyvio

Infection in nose and throat (13%)
Headache (12%)
Joint pain (12%)
Nausea (9%)
Fever (9%)
Upper respiratory tract infection (7%)
Fatigue (6%)
Cough (5%)

Warnings for Entyvio

Infusion-related reactions and allergic reactions
Risk of serious infections
Risk of brain infection (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy)
Liver problems

Summary for Humira

Prescription only

Humira (adalimumab) is an injection used to treat many different autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and plaque psoriasis. As a TNF blocker, the medication works by blocking a protein that causes inflammation in your body. It's given as a shot under the skin once every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on your condition. Humira (adalimumab) doesn't have a true generic, but there are several similar versions called biosimilars. Common side effects include infections, injection site reactions, and headache.

Indications for Humira

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - adults only
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) - people age 2 and older
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) - adults only
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) - adults only
Crohn's disease (CD) - people age 6 and older
Ulcerative colitis (UC) - people age 5 and older
Plaque psoriasis - adults only
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) - people age 12 and older
Uveitis - people age 2 and older

Pros and Cons for Humira

Pros

Can be used for many autoimmune conditions
Available as a ready-to-use pen that makes it easier to self-inject at home
Can be used in young children (as young as 2 years old for some conditions)
Only needs to be injected a couple times a month
Can be left at room temperature for up to 14 days if needed

Cons

Raises the risk of serious infections
Can take a few weeks or longer to work
Might be difficult to inject for some people
Can't receive any live vaccines while taking the medication
Might contain rubber or latex, which can cause a reaction for those with an allergy

Common Side Effects for Humira

Injection-site reaction (20%)
Upper respiratory tract infection (17%)
Headache (12%)
Rash (12%)
Sinus inflammation (11%)
Accidental injury (10%)
Nausea (9%)
Urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection (8%)

Note: The side effects listed above were reported by adults with rheumatoid arthritis and are similar to those seen in people using Humira (adalimumab) for other conditions.