Home Drug Guide Vedolizumab

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Vedolizumab

Brand Names Entyvio

Classification

Therapeutic: Immunosuppressant, Monoclonal Antibody

Pharmacological: Integrin receptor antagonist

FDA Approved Indications

  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn's disease

Mechanism of Action

Vedolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the α4β7 integrin, blocking its interaction with mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1). This prevents lymphocyte trafficking to the gut, reducing inflammation.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: 300 mg IV infusion at weeks 0, 2, and 6, then every 8 weeks; doses may be adjusted based on response.

Pediatric: Not FDA approved for pediatric use; dosing not established.

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustments, but monitor for infection risk.

Renal Impairment: No specific adjustments needed.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustments needed.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Administered IV; bioavailability is 100%.

Distribution: Vd approximately 5-7 L.

Metabolism: Degraded via proteolytic pathways; not metabolized by liver enzymes.

Excretion: Broken down into amino acids.

Half Life: approximately 22 days.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to vedolizumab or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Risk of infections (e.g., JC virus, tuberculosis); screening recommended prior to initiation.
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) risk; monitor neurological symptoms.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Headache (Likely)
  • Nasopharyngitis (Likely)
  • Arthralgia (Likely)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) (Rare)
  • Infusion reactions (Uncommon)
  • Severe infections (Uncommon)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Immunosuppressants, e.g., azathioprine, corticosteroids

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of infection, infusion reactions, and neurological symptoms.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection
  • Impaired skin integrity

Implementation: Administer IV infusion as prescribed; monitor infusion site and patient response.

Evaluation: Assess disease activity and adverse effects regularly; efficacy in reducing inflammation.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report any signs of infection or neurological symptoms immediately.
  • Inform about potential infusion reactions; report any symptoms such as rash, difficulty breathing.
  • Adhere to schedule of infusions for optimal effect.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).

Genetic Factors: None established.

Lab Test Interference: May interfere with certain assays; notify lab of therapy.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Possible hypersensitivity reactions or infusion-related reactions.

Treatment: Supportive care; discontinue infusion and provide symptomatic treatment.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store vials under refrigeration (2°C to 8°C).

Stability: Stable until the expiration date; protect from light.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.