Posted 6/14/2017 3:33 PM (GMT -5)
Whenever we try a new class of medications it's always good to consider the risk versus the benefit of it. Human nature is to assume the absolute worstcase scenario in everything. I know I was worried when considering the next class of medications, as everyone is. What helped was weighing the actual risks versus the benefits. I found that the benefit far outweighs the risk of these medications. The majority of patients on entyvio do not experience any major side effects (at most sleepy during or after the infusion, or other things of that nature). There are a number of very rare side effects that occur to less than 1 percent of patients who take entyvio (and those are the things that scare us spitless). From all accounts, entyvio is safer than the anti-tnf meds like remicade, simponi, and humira. That is because entyvio is gut-specific in it's targeting, while the other tnf-alpha drugs are systematic. Entyvio still suppresses the immune system within the digestive tract, so you are still more prone to GI born sickness, and bacterial infections like Clostridium Difficile (or c diff for short). about 65 percent of patients see an improvement within their UC symptoms thanks to Entyvio. Nothing is risk-free, but the odds are generally in your favor. I'd certainly consider it, should remicade ever fail me!