Entyvio is a medication for ulcerative colitis (UC) that is linked to interstitial lung disease, a life-threatening condition that can cause severe shortness of breath or even death.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Entyvio induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease after taking Entyvio for ulcerative colitis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Overview
What is Ulcerative Colitis? Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine, or colon, and the rectum. Ulcerative colitis has similarities to Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis is an intermittent disease, with periods of exacerbated symptoms, and periods that are relatively symptom-free. It has an incidence of about one person per 10,000 in North America.
Signs & Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
The following is a list of signs and symptoms related to Ulcerative Colitis.
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramping that usually disappears after a bowel movement
- Abdominal sounds
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Tenesmus
- Nausea and vomiting
- Joint pain
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis and Treatment Options
The initial diagnosis of Ulcerative coitis includes the following.
- A complete blood count is done to check for anemia; thrombocytosis is occasionally seen
- Electrolyte studies and renal function
- Liver function tests to screen for bile duct involvement: primary sclerosing cholangitis.
- X-ray
- Urinalysis
- Stool culture, to rule out parasites and infectious causes.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate can be measured, with an elevated sedimentation rate indicating that an inflammatory process is present.
- C-reactive protein can be measured, with an elevated level being another indication of inflammation.
The best test to formally diagnose Ulcerative Colitis is an endoscopy. Doctors usually perform a sigmoidoscopy. If results are unclear, they may perform a full colonoscopy.
Treatment is only needed for those who are experiencing symptoms. Treatment initially involves the use of medications to treat any infection and to reduce inflammation. These medications may include:
Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), Mesalamine (Asacol, Rowasa), and Corticosteroids
Immune system suppressors: Azathioprine (Imuran) and mercaptopurine (Purinethol), Infliximab (Remicade), Adalimumab (Humira), Methotrexate (Rheumatrex), and Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Other medication(s): Anti-diarrheals, Laxatives, Pain relievers, Iron supplements, Nutrition, Vitamin B-12 shots, Calcium and vitamin D supplements
Surgery may be required for complications such as obstructions, fistulas and/or abscesses, or if the disease does not respond to drugs within a reasonable time.
What is Entyvio?
Entyvio® (vedolizumab) is a drug that is treats moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease. It is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and was approved in the U.S. in May 2014.
What is Interstitial Lung Disease?
Interstitial lung disease is a serious, life-threatening type of lung damage that causes scarring of the lungs (also known as pulmonary fibrosis). The scar-tissue builds up in the lungs, making it harder for the lungs to transport oxygen to the body. This causes shortness of breath that worsens over time. In severe cases, it can be deadly.
Signs & Symptoms of Interstitial Lung Disease
People with interstitial lung disease may show the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent, dry hacking cough
- Fever
- Loss of appetite and weight-loss
- Sometimes widened and rounded tips of the fingers and toes (clubbing) due to a shortage of oxygen
- Respiratory failure
- And more
What is the Problem?
A growing number of patients have developed interstitial lung disease after taking just a few doses of Entyvio, a popular new medication for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The reports of lung disease are rare, but they are very serious — even deaths have been reported.
Label on Entyvio Does Not Warn About Lung Diseases
The problem is that the label on Entyvio does not mention any risk of pulmonary problems. As a result, patients and doctors may not be aware that the medication they are taking for UC could cause life-threatening breathing problems, which could ultimately lead to death.
Case Reports Linking Entyvio and Interstitial Lung Disease
Here are some recent reports of patients with ulcerative colitis who took Entyvio and developed severe cases of interstitial lung disease:
- Pulmonary Manifestation of Crohn’s Disease Developed Under Treatment With Vedolizumab: Case report of a 28-year-old man who took Entyvio for ulcerative colitis and developed chronic lung fibrosis and inflammation
- Vedolizumab-induced acute interstitial lung injury in a 39-year-old male with ulcerative colitis: 39-year-old patient with UC developed a “severe interstitial lung injury,” had to be given steroids and stop taking Entyvio
- New-Onset Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease in a 52-Year-Old Woman With Ulcerative Colitis: 52-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis started receiving Entyvio injections – she developed new shortness of breath, cough, and was diagnosed with parenchymal lung disease
- Vedolizumab-associated diffuse interstitial lung disease in patients with ulcerative colitis: A case report: After two doses of Entyvio, a man in China died after he developed interstitial lung disease with a persistent fever worsening shortness of breath.
- Crohn’s Disease with Atypical Extra-Intestinal Manifestations Developing Under Treatment with Vedolizumab: Paient with Crohn’s disease developed granulomatous lung disease during treatment with Entyvio
Types of Lung Diseases Linked to Entyvio
- Interstitial lung disease
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Fibrosis of the lungs (scarring)
- Shortness of breath
- Lung / pulmonary problems
- Pulmonary parenchymal disease
- Parenchymal lung disease
- Pulmonary granulomas
Do I Have an Ulcerative Colitis Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Entyvio induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease after taking Entyvio for ulcerative colitis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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