Etrasimod Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Etrasimod Tablet (generic name etrasimod) is a prescription medicine from the selective immunosuppressant class known as sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators. It is taken by mouth once a day to treat moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis by calming immune-related inflammation in the colon. It works by keeping certain white blood cells inside the lymph nodes so they cannot reach and inflame the gut.

What is Etrasimod Tablet

Etrasimod is a prescription tablet taken by mouth once a day. It belongs to a group of medicines called sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators, which work on the immune system to calm down inflammation.

Etrasimod Tablet uses

• Treats moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.
• Helps reduce inflammation affecting the lining of the colon.
• Helps control symptoms such as diarrhea and rectal bleeding.
• Supports induction of clinical remission in selected patients.

Benefits of Etrasimod Tablet

• Helps reduce immune-mediated inflammation in the colon.
• May improve ulcerative colitis symptoms.
• Can reduce rectal bleeding and stool frequency.
• May help achieve clinical remission.
• Supports maintenance of disease control.

How Etrasimod Tablet works

Etrasimod attaches to S1P receptors and temporarily keeps certain white blood cells (lymphocytes) inside the lymph nodes. This stops them from reaching the gut and causing the inflammation seen in ulcerative colitis.

Etrasimod Tablet dosage

Take it by mouth at around the same time every day. It can be taken with or without food; if it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Swallow the tablet whole; do not cut, crush, or chew it. Keep taking it even if you feel well, unless your doctor tells you to stop. Your doctor will check your heart, blood, and vaccination status before you start, and may check your blood pressure, liver, and eyes during treatment. Dosing and use in children must be determined by a doctor, since safety and effectiveness have not been established in children. No special dietary changes are needed unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral tablet (2 mg)

Side effects of Etrasimod Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Abnormal liver function tests
• Nausea
• High cholesterol levels
• Blurred vision

Serious

• Low white blood cell counts (lymphocytes or neutrophils)
• Respiratory tract or lung infections, and urinary tract infections
• Slow heart rate (bradycardia) or elevated blood pressure (hypertension)
• Elevated liver enzymes (signs of liver stress)
• Signs of serious infection such as fever, cough, night sweats, flu-like symptoms
• Signs of meningitis such as headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or feeling like your heart is skipping beats
• Sudden confusion, severe headache, vision loss, or a seizure
• Signs of high blood pressure such as pounding in the neck or ears
• Liver problems such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, itching, dark urine, or yellowing of skin or eyes
• Severe vision problems such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light, seeing an unusual color, or a blind spot
• Skin changes or a mole that has changed in color or size
• Painful blisters on the trunk of the body (shingles)
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you have had certain serious heart problems recently, such as a heart attack, severe heart failure needing hospital care, a stroke or mini-stroke, chest pain, or certain irregular heart rhythms, unless you have a pacemaker.
• This medicine can slow your heart rate, especially after your first dose, and can cause heart rhythm problems.
• This medicine increases your risk of serious or life-threatening infections, including shingles, fungal infections, and a rare brain infection called PML. Avoid live vaccines while taking it.
• This medicine can cause liver inflammation, so your doctor will monitor your liver with blood tests.
• This medicine can cause swelling in the back of the eye that affects vision, so you'll need eye exams before and during treatment.
• This medicine may raise your risk of skin cancer, so use sunscreen and watch for new or changing skin spots.
• This medicine can rarely cause a serious brain condition (PRES) or new or worsening breathing problems.
• Your risk of getting an infection can last for several weeks after you stop taking this medicine.
• This medicine may harm an unborn baby. You may need a pregnancy test before starting, and should use effective birth control during treatment and for about a week after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• There isn't enough research to know if this medicine is safe during breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks before breastfeeding while taking it.
• No routine dose adjustment is required for renal impairment, including severe renal impairment.
• This medicine should not be used in people with severe liver disease, and it should be used carefully in people with a history of liver problems, since it can cause liver inflammation that is checked with blood tests.
• No major direct interaction with alcohol has been established, but alcohol may worsen underlying gastrointestinal symptoms or liver problems.
• Dizziness or headache may affect concentration. Avoid driving or operating machinery if alertness is impaired.

Storage

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Keep from freezing.
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
• Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
• Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away for signs of a severe allergic reaction, like hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice signs of infection like fever, cough, night sweats, tiredness, flu-like symptoms, or pain when urinating.
• Call your doctor at once for signs of meningitis, like headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, confusion, or drowsiness.
• Call your doctor right away for a slow or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Seek help right away for sudden confusion, severe headache, loss of vision, or a seizure.
• Contact your doctor right away for signs of liver problems, such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, itching, dark urine, or yellowing of skin or eyes.
• Get medical advice right away if you have severe vision changes, such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light, seeing unusual colors, or a blind spot.
• Tell your doctor about any skin changes or a mole that has changed in color or size.
• If you cannot reach your care team and have trouble seeing, thinking, speaking, walking, or standing, seek emergency medical care right away, since this could signal a serious brain infection.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or go to an emergency room right away.

Alternatives

• Ustekinumab
• Vedolizumab
• Sulfasalazine