Key takeaways
Infliximab (Remicade) and vedolizumab (Entyvio) are both disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) used to treat autoimmune conditions like ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). However, they have some important differences. Infliximab works by blocking tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to reduce inflammation. Vedolizumab, on the other hand, is an integrin antagonist that blocks proteins on immune cells to lower inflammation. Infliximab is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion, while vedolizumab can be given either as an IV infusion or a subcutaneous injection. Infliximab is also used for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, whereas vedolizumab is specifically for UC and CD in adults. Common side effects of infliximab include infections and infusion-related reactions, while vedolizumab may cause headaches and joint pain. Both medications can increase the risk of serious infections, but infliximab also has a risk of causing cancer and heart problems.
