Omvoh vs. Entyvio: 6 Differences Between These Biologic IBD Treatments
Key takeaways:
Omvoh (mirikizumab-mrkz) and Entyvio (vedolizumab) are biologic medications that treat ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease. Omvoh is a newer medication, whereas Entyvio has more long-term safety data.
There are a few notable differences between Omvoh and Entyvio, including how they work, how they’re administered, and the side effects they can cause.
Omvoh and Entyvio are relatively similar medications overall. Consider discussing both of the medications with your gastroenterologist as you make a shared decision about what treatment may be best for you.
Table of contents
Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease are health conditions that cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Everyone’s experience with them is unique, but they often result in symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood in the stool. There are several treatment options for UC and Crohn’s disease, including Omvoh (mirikizumab-mrkz) and Entyvio (vedolizumab).
Omvoh and Entyvio are both biologic medications. But they address inflammation in distinct ways. Understanding how these treatments differ can help you have an informed conversation with your gastroenterologist about starting a treatment that’s right for you.
Let’s explore six key points that differentiate these two inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) medications.
1. Entyvio was initially FDA approved for more uses than Omvoh
Entyvio is FDA approved to treat both main types of IBD: Crohn’s disease and UC.
Omvoh is newer than Entyvio. When it was first approved in 2023, it was only meant for UC. But fast forward to early 2025, it’s now approved for Crohn’s disease, too. Both medications are effective options for either use.
For context, in many cases, medications are initially studied and approved to treat one health condition. Then, medication manufacturers may conduct additional studies over time to understand if a medication is also effective for the treatment of other health conditions. This is what happened with Omvoh’s approval for Crohn’s disease. Entyvio was approved for both conditions from the start.
IBS vs. IBD: These terms sound similar, but they’re not one and the same. Here’s what makes irritable bowel syndrome different from inflammatory bowel disease.
Biologics for UC: Many biologic medications can treat ulcerative colitis. This pharmacist- and physician-backed summary highlights which options are available.
Biologics for Crohn’s disease: Omvoh (mirikizumab-mrkz) and Entyvio (vedolizumab) aren’t the only biologics that treat Crohn’s disease. Check out some of your other options.
2. Omvoh and Entyvio work in distinct ways
Omvoh and Entyvio work in different ways to address IBD symptoms, which are often caused by excess inflammation.
Omvoh calms down an overactive immune system by blocking communication between inflammation-provoking immune cells. The specific signal it blocks is made by interleukin-23, a protein that plays a role in promoting inflammation throughout the body. This action helps lessen gut symptoms related to UC and Crohn’s disease.
Entyvio works by blocking a different inflammatory protein called an integrin. This action mostly occurs in the gut. By blocking an integrin called α4β7, the medication prevents the immune system from causing further irritation to an inflamed colon.
Omvoh and Entyvio haven’t been directly compared in clinical trials. So there isn’t data to support one medication being superior to the other. Omvoh and Entyvio are two treatment options, amongst many others, that may be right for you.
3. Omvoh and Entyvio are administered differently
When you first start Omvoh or Entyvio, which are both injectable medications, you’ll need to go to your gastroenterologist's office or an infusion center to receive doses. These starting doses make up what’s referred to as the “induction” phase of treatment. You’ll start the “maintenance” phase after the induction phase is complete. How you’ll receive your maintenance doses depends on the medication.
Omvoh | Entyvio | |
Induction phase | The first three doses of Omvoh are intravenous (IV) infusions. Each dose is spaced apart by 4 weeks. You’ll likely receive 900 mg per dose if you have Crohn’s disease and 300 mg per dose if you have UC. | The first two doses of Entyvio are IV infusions. These doses are spaced apart by 2 weeks. |
Maintenance phase | After the induction phase, Omvoh maintenance doses are injected under-the-skin every 4 weeks at home. Recommended Omvoh maintenance doses for Crohn’s disease and UC are 300 mg and 200 mg, respectively. Each dose consists of two back-to-back injections. | Four weeks after the induction phase, you’ll either: • Receive IV doses every 8 weeks at your gastroenterologist’s office. • Administer under-the-skin injections every 2 weeks at home. Entyvio dosages don’t change depending on if you’re using it for Crohn’s disease or UC. |
For many people, choosing a treatment comes down to how well it manages their IBD symptoms. But day-to-day logistics are a relevant factor, too. How often and where you need to administer your medication may be just as important to you as a medication’s effectiveness.
4. Omvoh and Entyvio have slightly different side effects
Omvoh and Entyvio cause similar side effects overall. But there are still some differences.
The most common Omvoh side effects are upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), joint pain, and headaches. You may also develop temporary pain, redness, and sensitivity where Omvoh is injected.
Common Entyvio side effects include URTIs, headaches, and joint pain. You may also experience redness, itching, and swelling if Entyvio is injected under the skin. Entyvio may also cause nausea, bronchitis (lung inflammation), and back pain.
Shared side effects
Some side effects are common with both Omvoh and Entyvio.
For instance, the initial doses of both medications are delivered through an IV infusion, which can cause reactions such as pain or itching shortly after the infusion begins. Your gastroenterologist will likely give you medications to combat these side effects, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and acetaminophen (Tylenol), ahead of time.
Omvoh and Entyvio can also increase your chances of developing serious infections. If you’re receiving either medication, speak to your gastroenterologist if you develop symptoms of an infection, such as fever, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. They may ask you to pause your Omvoh or Entyvio treatment until your infection is resolved.
Keep in mind: It’s hard to directly compare Omvoh and Entyvio side effects. The medications were evaluated in separate clinical studies that were conducted under different conditions. Your gastroenterologist can talk to you about each medication’s side effects and discuss which medication you may tolerate better.
5. Omvoh is newer to the market than Entyvio
Omvoh was approved in October 2023, almost a decade after Entyvio, which was approved in May 2014.
Omvoh represents a newer treatment option for people with IBD. However, in turn, there’s less long-term safety data with Omvoh than with Entyvio.
Entyvio was studied for several years after it was first approved. As a result, researchers learned even more about how it performs over time. A 7-year long study indicated no new side effects with long-term use.
While Omvoh is generally considered to be safe, studies on its long-term safety are underway. We should have more UC-related safety information by late 2027, when a study on the topic is scheduled to wrap up. A long-term safety study in Crohn’s disease should finish by late 2026.
6. Entyvio has a longer half-life than Omvoh
The half-life of a medication refers to how long it takes the body to remove half of the dose. Medications that last longer in the body (i.e., have a longer half-life) are typically administered less frequently.
Entyvio has a half-life of 26 days, while Omvoh’s half-life is 9 days. This allows you to receive IV Entyvio less frequently than Omvoh. After the starting doses, Entyvio is administered by IV every 8 weeks, while Omvoh is injected every 4 weeks.
However, you’ll have to receive Entyvio more frequently if you want to administer it at home. You’ll need to inject Entyvio under the skin every 2 weeks in this case. This increased frequency is largely due to how long it takes your body to absorb the medication under the skin.
How to save on Omvoh and Entyvio
Omvoh and Entyvio are only available as reference (“brand-name”) medications. They’re both considered specialty medications, meaning they’re typically filled through a speciality pharmacy. But GoodRx can still help you navigate ways to save on your prescription:
Save with a copay savings card: If you meet eligibility requirements, Omvoh may cost as little as $0 with a manufacturer’s copay savings card. Entyvio’s price may be as low as $5 with a manufacturer’s copy savings card.
Save with a patient assistance program: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for an Omvoh or Entyvio patient assistance program that offers the medication at no charge.
The bottom line
Omvoh (mirikizumab-mrkz) and Entyvio (vedolizumab) are injectable biologic medications that treat ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease. They have several differences, including how they work and how you receive them. They can also cause slightly different side effects. One medication isn’t considered better than the other, though. Your gastroenterologist can tell you if either Omvoh or Entyvio, or another medication entirely, is right for you.
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