What to Know About the Entyvio Pen vs. Infusion

Entyvio pen vs. infusion dosing frequency

The dose of Entyvio is the same for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. You’ll receive the first two doses, 300 milligrams (mg), of Entyvio as IV infusions at week 0 and week 2 of treatment.

For your third dose (week 6), you might continue with infusions, or your doctor may have you switch to subcutaneous injections.

• Continue with infusions: You’ll have a third 300-mg infusion 4 weeks after the previous one. After this, you’ll receive infusions every 8 weeks.
• Switch to subcutaneous injections: You’ll receive a 108-mg injection 4 weeks after your previous infusion and every 2 weeks after that. You may receive these injections from a healthcare professional or a caregiver, or you may self-inject them.

After the initial period of 6 weeks, which is called induction, you’ll follow a maintenance dose schedule. During the maintenance dosing, you’ll receive Entyvio every 8 weeks or every 2 weeks, depending on the form you’re receiving.

How to use

Entyvio pen is a single-dose injection, so discard your Entyvio pen after each dose. For this dose given under your skin, your doctor or another healthcare professional can show you how to inject the drug. You can inject it into your abdomen or thigh. Caregivers can also inject Entyvio into your upper arm.

A healthcare professional gives Entyvio IV infusions at a doctor’s office or clinic. The infusions last 30 minutes. Your doctor can monitor you during and after the infusion time to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction, infusion reaction, or another serious reaction to the drug.

贰苍迟测惫颈辞’蝉 website has details and instructions regarding infusions and self-injections.

Entyvio pen vs. infusion side effects

Side effects reported with Entyvio pen and infusion in studies were similar. But injection site reactions occurred when researchers gave Entyvio as a subcutaneous injection but not when they gave it as an IV infusion.

More common side effects of Entyvio overall include:

• infection, such as the common cold or a respiratory infection
• headache
• fatigue (lack of energy)
• nausea
• fever

Entyvio pen vs. infusion cost

The cost of Entyvio pens versus IV infusions can depend on several factors, such as your insurance type. However, IV infusions typically cost more than pens.

Only a healthcare professional can give Entyvio infusions in their office or infusion clinic. The cost of in-person visits to receive each dose can affect the price of IV infusions.

On the other hand, you or a caregiver can administer Entyvio pens at home. If you have health insurance that includes prescription drug coverage, You may receive coverage for Entyvio pens.

Takeaway

Doctors prescribe Entyvio to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The drug is available as a pen for subcutaneous injection and a vial for IV infusion.

You may receive both forms of the drug, depending on the dosing schedule your doctor recommends is right for you. The side effects of the two forms are similar, except for injection site reactions, which researchers observed for the subcutaneous injections. The cost of Entyvio may vary depending on the form.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about the Entyvio pen and infusions.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.