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

Quick overview

Velsipity Tablet contains etrasimod, a selective immunosuppressant known as an S1P receptor modulator. It is a once-daily tablet used to treat moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults, and in some regions, people 16 and older, who have not responded to or could not tolerate other treatments. It helps improve ulcerative colitis symptoms and supports steroid-free remission.

What is Velsipity Tablet

Velsipity is a once-daily tablet containing etrasimod. It is a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator used to treat ulcerative colitis in adults (and in some regions, people 16 and older).

Velsipity Tablet uses

• Treats moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults who have not responded to, or could not tolerate, other ulcerative colitis treatments
• Used to improve ulcerative colitis symptoms and help achieve steroid-free remission

Benefits of Velsipity Tablet

• Can improve ulcerative colitis symptoms, with some people noticing improvement as early as week 2
• More people reached clinical remission with Velsipity than with placebo in clinical trials, both at 12 weeks and at 52 weeks
• More people had healing of the bowel lining with Velsipity than with placebo in clinical trials

How Velsipity Tablet works

Velsipity works by blocking a receptor called S1P, which controls the movement of certain white blood cells (lymphocytes). This keeps more lymphocytes trapped in the lymph nodes so fewer of them can travel to the gut, which helps reduce inflammation and ease ulcerative colitis symptoms.

Velsipity Tablet dosage

Take this medicine once a day at about the same time each day. Swallow the tablet whole — do not crush or chew it. It can be taken with or without food, though some guidance recommends taking it with food for the first 3 days of treatment to help reduce the chance of heart-related side effects when starting treatment.

Keep taking it until your doctor tells you to stop; do not stop suddenly or change your dose without talking to your doctor first. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose — in that case skip the missed dose and continue as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet (2 mg)

Side effects of Velsipity Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Elevated liver enzymes/tests
• Nausea
• Joint pain
• Urinary tract infection
• Lymphopenia (low white blood cell count)

Serious

• Serious infections, including urinary tract infections and other infections that can be life-threatening
• Slow or irregular heartbeat (bradyarrhythmia)
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Liver problems
• Vision problems including macular edema and loss of vision
• Certain types of skin cancer
• Breathing problems/shortness of breath
• Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) — swelling and narrowing of blood vessels in the brain
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) — a rare, serious brain infection, with longer treatment (over 18 months) increasing risk
• Severe allergic reaction

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine if you have had a heart attack, severe chest pain, stroke, mini-stroke, or certain types of heart failure needing hospital treatment in the last 6 months, or if you have certain abnormal heart rhythms not corrected by a pacemaker.
• This medicine can increase the risk of serious infections, which can be life-threatening. Tell your doctor right away if you notice fever, pain when urinating, tiredness, flu-like symptoms, or headache with fever, neck stiffness, light sensitivity, nausea, or confusion.
• This medicine may cause your heart rate to slow down, especially after your first dose. Your doctor may need to monitor you for several hours after your first dose, including checking your pulse, blood pressure, and performing an ECG.
• This medicine can increase blood pressure, so your doctor should check it regularly during treatment.
• This medicine can cause a vision problem called macular edema. Your doctor should check your vision before you start and if you notice any vision changes.
• Certain types of skin cancer have been reported with this type of medicine. Limit sun and UV light exposure, wear protective clothing, and use high-SPF sunscreen. Tell your doctor about any changes in your skin.
• This medicine can cause a rare condition called PRES, involving swelling and narrowing of blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to stroke if untreated.
• Taking this medicine for longer than 18 months may increase the risk of a rare, serious brain infection called PML.
• Do not receive live vaccines for at least 4 weeks before starting this medicine, during treatment, or for 5 weeks after stopping it, as vaccines may not work as well and live vaccines could cause infection.
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly, or change your dose, without talking to your doctor first.
• Velsipity may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Effective birth control should be used during treatment and for 7 days after stopping the medicine. 
• If you become pregnant while taking it, tell your doctor right away.
• It isn't known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking this medicine; one source advises not breastfeeding while taking it.
• This medicine is not recommended if you have severe liver problems. Your doctor will check your liver function before you start treatment and may test it again during treatment.
• Alcohol use is listed as something to discuss with your doctor before taking this medicine, though no specific interaction details are given.
• This medicine may cause dizziness. Be careful driving or using machines or tools until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store the tablets below 30°C
• Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight — for example, do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills
• Keep it where young children cannot reach it
• If you no longer need the medicine or it is out of date, take it to a pharmacy for safe disposal
• Do not use after the expiry date
• Alternatively, some sources advise storing at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you notice signs of infection, such as fever, chills, pain or burning when urinating, or flu-like symptoms.
• Seek help if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, like your heart is beating slowly or skipping beats, short of breath, confused, tired, or have chest pain — these can be signs of a slow heart rate.
• Get medical help right away for signs of a liver problem, such as unexplained nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or dark urine.
• Get medical help right away if you notice vision changes such as blurriness, shadows in the center of your vision, a blind spot, light sensitivity, or unusual color vision.
• Seek medical help right away for sudden severe headache, sudden confusion, sudden vision loss or changes, or seizures — these could be signs of a serious brain blood vessel problem (PRES).
• Get medical help right away for new or worsening breathing problems.
• Seek medical attention right away if you think you have taken too much of this medicine, even if you feel fine.
• Tell your doctor if you notice any changes in your skin, such as new or changing moles or spots, as this could be a sign of skin cancer.

Alternatives

• Rinvoq
• Xeljanz
• Zeposia