Velsipity vs. Rinvoq for Ulcerative Colitis: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Velsipity

(etrasimod)

Rinvoq

(upadacitinib)

Summary for Velsipity

Prescription only

Velsipity (etrasimod) is a medication that treats ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. It works as a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator to help relieve gut inflammation and symptoms of UC. The usual dose is 1 tablet by mouth once a day. Velsipity (etrasimod) can cause side effects like headache and dizziness. It also has a few serious risks, including infection, heart problems, and liver damage. Velsipity (etrasimod) is available as a brand-name medication.

Indications for Velsipity

Moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults

Pros and Cons for Velsipity

Pros

Taken by mouth, with or without food
Only taken once a day
Can be an option when other medications for UC haven't worked well enough

Cons

Risk of serious infections
Might interact with vaccines or immunosuppressants
Might not be safe if you have heart problems or severe liver problems

Common Side Effects for Velsipity

Headache (9%)
Higher liver enzyme levels (6%)
Dizziness (5%)

Warnings for Velsipity

Risk of infections
Slow heart rhythm and heart rate
High blood pressure
Liver problems
Eye problem (macular edema)
Harm to an unborn baby
Possible risk of skin cancer
Brain problems
Breathing problems

Summary for Rinvoq

Prescription only

Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It treats many inflammatory conditions. This includes rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), and eczema (atopic dermatitis). It's often used when other treatments haven't worked well. Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is taken by mouth, usually once a day. It comes as an extended-release pill (Rinvoq) and an oral solution (Rinvoq LQ). These formulations aren't the same and can't be swapped easily. Side effects include nausea and a higher risk of infection.

Indications for Rinvoq

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in people 2 years and older
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) in people 12 years and older
Ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults
Crohn's disease (CD) in adults
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) in adults
Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children 2 years and older
Giant cell arteritis in adults

Pros and Cons for Rinvoq

Pros

Can treat many different inflammatory conditions
Available as a tablet and a liquid
Tablets are taken once a day

Cons

Can raise your risk of infections
Can interact with grapefruit
Not the best option for people with severe liver or kidney problems

Common Side Effects for Rinvoq

Upper respiratory tract infection (14%)
Nausea (4%)

Warnings for Rinvoq

Serious infections
Possible higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death in certain older adults with RA
Risk of cancer
Risk of blood clots
Allergic reactions
Stomach damage
Abnormal lab results (e.g., blood counts, cholesterol)
Harm to an unborn baby
Medication in stool