Key takeaways
Vedolizumab (Entyvio) and ustekinumab (Stelara) 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 ustekinumab is an interleukin antagonist that blocks IL-12 and IL-23 proteins. Vedolizumab is administered either as an intravenous infusion every two months or as a subcutaneous injection every two weeks, whereas ustekinumab is typically gives as a subcutaneous injection every eight to twelve weeks for maintenance, depending on the condition. Both medications come as a subcutaneous injection and an intravenous infusion. Common side effects of vedolizumab include headache and joint pain, while ustekinumab may cause cold symptoms and headaches. Both medications can increase the risk of infections, but ustekinumab also carries a risk of certain cancers and a rare condition called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Both are only available as a branded medication.
