Entyvio Does Not Cause GERD
Entyvio (vedolizumab, not natalizumab) is not known to cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). There is no established causal relationship between Entyvio and the development of GERD in the medical literature or drug safety data.
Important Clarification
- Entyvio is vedolizumab, a gut-selective integrin antagonist used for inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), not natalizumab 1
- GERD is a motility disorder resulting from reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus due to impaired esophageal clearance and anti-reflux barrier mechanisms 2, 3
- The pathophysiology of GERD involves anatomical and functional factors including lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction, hiatal hernia, delayed gastric emptying, and esophageal dysmotility—none of which are mechanisms affected by Entyvio 4, 5
Why This Confusion May Arise
- Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (the population taking Entyvio) may have concurrent GERD as a separate condition, not caused by the medication 3
- GERD is extremely common in the general population with prevalence linked to Western lifestyle and obesity, making coincidental occurrence likely 4
- Some gastrointestinal symptoms overlap between IBD and GERD, potentially leading to diagnostic confusion 6
If GERD Symptoms Develop While Taking Entyvio
- Evaluate for GERD as an independent condition using typical diagnostic approaches including assessment of heartburn, regurgitation, and response to proton pump inhibitor therapy 1, 7
- Consider upper endoscopy if alarm symptoms are present or if empiric PPI therapy fails 1
- Do not attribute GERD symptoms to Entyvio without considering other more likely etiologies including dietary factors, obesity, and anatomical abnormalities 4, 3
Key Clinical Pitfall
The most common error is assuming that any gastrointestinal symptom in a patient on IBD therapy must be related to either the underlying disease or the medication, when GERD is a highly prevalent independent condition that requires its own diagnostic evaluation and management 1, 7.