Entyvio is a brand-name prescription drug that treats active Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Below, you’ll find recommended doses and dosing schedules for this drug.

Entyvio contains the drug vedolizumab, which is a biologic. At this time, it’s not available as a biosimilar. Entyvio belongs to a group of drugs known as integrin receptor antagonists.

This drug is given by IV infusion. If you and your doctor determine that Entyvio is safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use the drug long term.

For information on the dosage of Entyvio, including its form, strength, and how it’s given, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Entyvio, see this article.

This article describes the typical dosage for Entyvio provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Entyvio, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

The following information describes the Entyvio dosage for treating Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults.

Entyvio form

Entyvio comes as a liquid solution in a single-use vial. It’s given by a healthcare professional as an IV infusion.

Entyvio strength

Entyvio comes in one strength: 300 milligrams (mg).

Typical dosage

The following dosing guidelines describe dosages that are typically recommended.

Entyvio dosage for all uses

The Entyvio infusion dosage schedule and dose escalation are the same for treating CD and UC.

You’ll start with an induction dosage of Entyvio. This refers to receiving doses more frequently at the start of treatment than later during treatment. This is done to get enough medication in your body for the drug to start working quickly. (This is different from a loading dose, which is a higher dose at the start of treatment.)

Entyvio’s induction dose schedule is 300 mg given at week 0, week 2, and week 6 of treatment.

After finishing this starting dosage, you’ll switch to a maintenance dose to continue treatment. A maintenance dose maintains a steady level of the drug in your body over time. Entyvio’s recommended maintenance dose is a 300-mg infusion every 8 weeks.

Long-term use

Entyvio is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Entyvio is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

If Entyvio doesn’t reduce your CD or UC symptoms after 14 weeks of treatment, your doctor may have you stop taking the drug. They may recommend other treatments for your condition.

Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about Entyvio dosages.

Why is Entyvio given every 8 weeks instead of every 4 weeks?

Entyvio is given every 8 weeks because this dosage was safe and effective for Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment in clinical studies.

These studies found that giving Entyvio every 4 weeks was not more effective than giving the drug every 8 weeks. Because of this, having Entyvio infusions every 4 weeks is not recommended.

If you have more questions about Entyvio dosing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What is Entyvio’s dosing for children?

Entyvio is not approved for use in children. This drug has not been studied in children, so it’s not known whether it’s safe and effective for this age group.

If you’re interested in CD or UC medications for children and what your child’s pediatric dosing would be, talk with your child’s doctor.

Entyvio is given by a healthcare professional as an IV infusion. Entyvio infusions usually last about 30 minutes.

You’ll go to an infusion clinic, hospital, doctor’s office, or similar place for Entyvio infusions. You may also be able to receive infusions at home, depending on your treatment plan and insurance coverage.

During your Entyvio infusions, you’ll be closely monitored for any side effects related to the infusion.

Here are some tips that can help you prepare for an Entyvio infusion:

  • Drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of your infusion.
  • If you have an infection or are feeling sick, call your doctor before your appointment. They may suggest rescheduling your infusion.
  • Dress in layers. Some people feel cold during their infusions.
  • Bring a snack or food, especially if your infusion is at a time when you’d usually eat.
  • Bring entertainment, such as a book or a mobile device.

Make sure to follow any other instructions from your healthcare professional about how to prepare for your Entyvio infusions.

If you miss an Entyvio infusion appointment, you should reschedule the infusion for as soon as possible. Contact your doctor or the place where you receive your infusions.

To help make sure that you don’t miss an appointment, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app.

This article describes the Entyvio dosage provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Entyvio for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. If you have questions about your dosage, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Entyvio. These additional articles might be helpful to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.