Does Entyvio cause joint pain?

Yes, Entyvio (vedolizumab) may cause joint pain in some people, although this is uncommon. Generally, post-marketing reports indicate improvement in symptoms of pre-existing arthritis and joint pain (arthralgia) and a reduced incidence of new or worsening arthritis or arthralgia in patients who have received vedolizumab. There does seem to be an increased incidence of joint pain in people who are tapering corticosteroids at the same time as vedolizumab initiation (corticosteroids can mask ongoing joint pain). But there have also been anecdotal experiences and case reports of patients on vedolizumab who developed worse joint pain.¹

Arthritis and sacroiliitis (an inflammation in the sacroiliac joint [the joint where the spine and pelvis connect]) were reported in a case series of five people (four of whom were women) who were receiving vedolizumab for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).²

Reactive arthritis was documented in a 28-year-old female who had recently started vedolizumab infusions. After each infusion, she experienced left knee pain and swelling that lasted for two to three days before resolving by itself.³

Conversely, not one person of a cohort of 53 patients receiving Entyvio for active spondyloarthritis associated with IBD reported flares in their arthritis, joint pain, or sacroiliitis. The authors concluded that vedolizumab is more likely to improve joint pain associated with IBD than worsen it.⁴

Larger cohorts are needed to determine the prevalence of joint pain with Entyvio and the underlying mechanism.

Entyvio (vedolizumab) is an integrin receptor antagonist that is usually given by IV infusion for the first 2 doses in your healthcare provider's clinic or office then by self-administered subcutaneous injection in your home. It is approved for use in moderate to severe ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease to reduce inflammation. It targets the gut specifically instead of the whole body which may reduce its systemic (body-wide) immunosuppressive effects, but it is still likely to increase a person's risk of infections.⁵

Related Questions

• How much does Entyvio cost per month?
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