Velsipity: Side Effects and How to Manage Them
Velsipity (etrasimod) is a prescription oral tablet used to treat moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis in adults. Velsipity can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include headache and dizziness.
What are the more common side effects of Velsipity?
Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Velsipity treatment. Examples of the drug’s more commonly reported side effects include:
What are the mild side effects of Velsipity?
Mild side effects have been reported with Velsipity. These include:
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Velsipity unless your doctor recommends it.
Velsipity may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Velsipity, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.
What are the serious side effects of Velsipity?
Serious side effects have been reported with Velsipity. These include:
If you develop serious side effects while taking Velsipity, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life-threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Velsipity, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews the side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Velsipity, visit MedWatch.
Side effects explained
Learn more about some of the side effects Velsipity may cause.
Infection
Velsipity lowers your white blood cell count, so it can raise your risk of getting an infection. (White blood cells help your body fight infections.) Infections were a common side effect reported in studies of Velsipity.
The most common infections reported with Velsipity were urinary tract infections (UTIs) and herpes virus infections, such as cold sores, genital herpes, chickenpox, and shingles. These infections are usually mild.
Symptoms of infection can include:
Symptoms of brain infections can include:
Factors that can increase the risk of infection during your Velsipity treatment include having a weak immune system and not being up-to-date with recommended vaccines.
You may have a weak immune system if you take medications that affect your immune system. These include certain cancer drugs as well as immunosuppressant and immunomodulator medications.
You may also have an increased risk of infection for 4–5 weeks after stopping Velsipity treatment. It can take this long for your white blood cells to return to normal levels.
What might help?
Before starting Velsipity, tell your doctor about any medications you currently take. Also, tell them if you have any current infections or infections that keep coming back. You should also talk with your doctor about your vaccination history.
Before prescribing Velsipity, your doctor will likely check your white blood cell count to make sure Velsipity is safe for you. They may also prescribe medication to treat any infections you have to avoid them getting worse. If needed, they may recommend getting certain vaccines before starting treatment.
If you have symptoms of infections while taking Velsipity or in the 5 weeks after stopping Velsipity, see your doctor right away. You may need medication to treat the infection. If you have a serious infection, your doctor will usually have you stop taking Velsipity until the infection goes away.
If you have questions or concerns about your risk of infection with Velsipity, talk with your doctor.
Increased risk of skin cancer
Velsipity may increase your risk of skin cancer. Skin cancer wasn’t reported in studies of Velsipity. But this side effect has been reported with other medications from the same group of drugs as Velsipity.
Symptoms of skin cancer can include:
Factors that can raise the risk of skin cancer when taking this drug include exposure to sunlight or UV light. Other factors include taking medication that weakens your immune system, such as immunosuppressant medication or certain cancer drugs.
What might help?
While taking Velsipity, you should limit the amount of time you spend in the sun. When outside, protect your skin with a high-SPF sunscreen or clothing, including a hat. And avoid using sunlamps or tanning beds.
You should frequently check your skin for any changes while taking Velsipity. If you notice any changes, see your doctor as soon as possible.
If you have questions or concerns about your risk of skin cancer with Velsipity, talk with your doctor.
Allergic reaction
Like most drugs, Velsipity can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies, but it could still occur.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:
What might help?
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Velsipity, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life-threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Velsipity, they may have to switch to a different treatment.
Keeping track of side effects
During your Velsipity treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.
Your side effect notes can include things such as:
Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how velocities affect you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Warnings for Velsipity
Below is important information you should consider before taking Velsipity.
Warnings
Velsipity can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Velsipity is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Velsipity. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
Alcohol and Velsipity
There are no known interactions between alcohol and Velsipity. But alcohol and Velsipity can cause some similar side effects, including headache and dizziness. So you may be more likely to have these side effects if you drink alcohol during your Velsipity treatment.
Velsipity can also cause increased liver enzymes, which could be worsened by excessive alcohol use.
If you have questions about consuming alcohol during Velsipity treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Velsipity
Velsipity is usually prescribed for someone who’s pregnant or breastfeeding only if the benefits of treatment outweigh the potential risks to the fetus or child.
Pregnancy
It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Velsipity during pregnancy. But this drug may cause harm to a fetus. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your treatment options.
If you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor may recommend using a form of birth control during your Velsipity treatment and for 1 week after your last dose.
If you become pregnant during your Velsipity treatment, consider signing up for the pregnancy registry for this drug by calling 800-616-3791. A pregnancy registry collects information about the safety of certain drugs when used during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
It isn’t known whether Velsipity is safe to take while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting Velsipity treatment.
What to ask your doctor
Like most drugs, Velsipity can cause a number of side effects that range from mild to serious. However, most are temporary and go away after a few days or weeks. If you have questions about the side effects that Velsipity can cause, talk with your doctor.
Examples of questions to help get you started include:
Great read! It’s crucial to be informed about the potential side effects before starting any new medication. Thanks for breaking down the steps to manage them so clearly. Super helpful!
Thank you for sharing this informative post on Velsipity! It’s really helpful to understand the potential side effects and ways to manage them. This kind of information empowers patients to make more informed decisions about their treatment. Appreciate it!
Thank you for sharing this informative post about Velsipity! It’s crucial to be aware of potential side effects and how to handle them should they arise. I’m sure this will be incredibly helpful for people considering or currently using this medication. Knowledge is power, and understanding both the benefits and the risks is key to effective treatment. Great job!
Thanks for the informative post on Velsipity side effects! It’s always reassuring to have a comprehensive understanding of what to expect and how to manage any potential issues. The tips you provided for mitigating side effects are especially helpful. Keep up the great work!