For those who are football fans, the unpredictable nature of ulcerative colitis (UC) may seem familiar. Just like a team’s rankings can fluctuate week by week, UC symptoms can vary from day to day, causing unexpected challenges. One moment everything is normal, and the next you’re dealing with discomfort and uncertainty.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon in Los Angeles, draws parallels between treating UC and his experiences with football, both as a player and a fan.
The Background on UC
“I PLAYED FOOTBALL in junior high school, and I quickly realized how much preparation is needed before you step on the field,” Dr. Murrell says. “It’s the same thing with UC. Knowing what you’re up against can make it easier to handle your UC.”
UC symptoms can range from urgent bathroom visits to blood in the stool, with periods of remission in between. While there is no known cure for UC, it can be managed through medication or surgery if necessary.
Unlike other colon conditions, UC specifically affects the colon and rectum, impacting approximately 1.25 million people in the U.S. If left untreated, UC can lead to complications like ulcers and an increased risk of colon cancer.
Dr. Murrell emphasizes that while UC is a lifelong condition, advancements in treatment options, including medications like VELSIPITY® (etrasimod), have made managing the disease more feasible for patients.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide at velsipityPI.com. VELSIPITY is a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator prescription medicine indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults. VELSIPITY should not be taken by patients with certain cardiac conditions such as prior heart attack, chest pain, stroke or heart failure, or have or have had a history of unusual heartbeats (arrhythmia) that is not corrected by a pacemaker. VELSIPITY can cause serious side effects including infections (some life threatening) and a slow heart rate known as bradyarrhythmia.
To learn more about these and other serious side effects, see the full Important Safety Information below.
A UC Management Game Plan
ALONG WITH WORKING with your doctor to find a treatment that is appropriate for you, here are Dr. Murrell’s three tips for helping to achieve successful UC management.
1. Trust Your Team
Building a support system is crucial in managing UC, similar to how a football team relies on trust and teamwork. Open communication with healthcare providers is key to finding effective treatments.
Resilience is essential in facing setbacks, whether in football or managing UC. Just as in sports, setbacks don’t have to define the outcome. Keeping track of symptoms and being open to adjusting treatment plans can lead to better management.
2. Build Resilience
Resilience is crucial in managing UC, just as in football where setbacks are common. Keeping a positive outlook, relying on support systems, and staying committed to finding effective treatments are key.
3. Track Your Symptoms (and Be Open to Calling an Audible)
Monitoring symptoms and being willing to adjust treatment plans are vital in UC management. Keeping a symptom log can provide a sense of control and help healthcare providers tailor treatments to individual needs.
By following these strategies and working closely with healthcare providers, individuals with moderate to severe UC can improve their symptoms and quality of life.
Important Safety Information and Indication
Do not take VELSIPITY if you:
- have had a heart attack, chest pain (unstable angina), stroke or mini stroke (transient ischemic attack or TIA), and certain types of heart failure requiring hospitalization in the last 6 months
- have or have had a history of unusual heartbeats (arrhythmia) that is not corrected by a pacemaker
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking VELSIPITY if you have any of these conditions or do not know if you have any of these conditions.
VELSIPITY can cause serious side effects, including:
- Infections: VELSIPITY can increase your risk of serious infections. These infections can be life-threatening and cause death. VELSIPITY lowers the number of white blood cells (lymphocytes) in your blood. This usually returns to normal within 4 to 5 weeks after you stop taking VELSIPITY. Your healthcare provider will test your blood before you start taking VELSIPITY. Your healthcare provider may delay or stop your VELSIPITY treatment if you have an infection. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of an infection during treatment with VELSIPITY, and for 5 weeks after you stop taking VELSIPITY: fever or high temperature, pain when peeing or peeing more often than usual as these can be signs of a urinary tract infection, tiredness, flu-like symptoms, or headache with fever, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, nausea, or confusion as these may be symptoms of meningitis, an infection of the lining around your brain and spine.
- Slow heart rate (also known as bradyarrhythmia) when you start taking VELSIPITY: VELSIPITY may cause your heart rate to temporarily slow down especially after you take your first dose. You will have a test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the electrical activity of your heart before you take your first dose of VELSIPITY. Call your healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms of slow heart rate: feeling dizzy, feeling lightheaded, feeling like your heart is beating slowly or skipping beats, feeling short of breath, feeling confused, feeling tired, or chest pain.
Before taking VELSIPITY, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have a serious infection or an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back (chronic).
- are unable to fight infections due to a disease.
- have received a vaccine in the past 4 weeks or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. You should be brought up to date with all age-required vaccines before starting treatment with VELSIPITY. VELSIPITY may affect how well a vaccine works. Tell your healthcare provider that you are receiving treatment with VELSIPITY before receiving a vaccine.
- have chickenpox or received the vaccine for chickenpox. Your healthcare provider may do a blood test for the chickenpox virus. You may need to get the full course of the chickenpox vaccine and then wait 4 weeks before you start taking VELSIPITY.
- have a slow heart rate.
- have an irregular or abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia).
- have heart disease, Class I or II heart failure, history of a heart attack, high blood pressure or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- have cerebrovascular disease or history of a stroke or ministroke.
- history of repeated fainting.
- have or have had liver problems.
- have or have had skin cancer.
- have breathing problems, including untreated sleep apnea.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. VELSIPITY may harm your unborn baby. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you are a female who can become pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider and use effective birth control during your treatment with VELSIPITY and for 7 days after you stop taking VELSIPITY. If you become pregnant while taking VELSIPITY or within 7 days after you stop taking VELSIPITY, talk with your healthcare provider and enroll in the VELSIPITY Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-800-616-3791.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VELSIPITY passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take VELSIPITY.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using VELSIPITY with other medicines can cause serious side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take or have taken:
- medicines to control your heart rhythm (antiarrhythmics), heartbeat, or blood pressure. These may be called beta blockers or calcium channel blockers.
- medicines that affect your immune system.
- certain medicines known as moderate to strong inhibitors of both CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, medicines such as fluconazole. If you are taking fluconazole, you should not take VELSIPITY.
- Rifampin. If you are taking rifampin, you should not take VELSIPITY.
You should not receive live vaccines at least 4 weeks before starting VELSIPITY, during treatment with VELSIPITY and for 5 weeks after you stop taking VELSIPITY. Talk to your healthcare provider before you receive a vaccine during treatment and for 5 weeks after treatment with VELSIPITY.
Did you know that vaccines may not be as effective when given during treatment with VELSIPITY? This medication can cause some serious side effects that you should be aware of:
– Liver problems: VELSIPITY may affect your liver, so your healthcare provider will monitor your liver function with blood tests. If you experience symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, or jaundice, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
– Increased blood pressure: Your blood pressure should be regularly checked during VELSIPITY treatment to ensure it stays within a healthy range.
– Vision issues: VELSIPITY can cause macular edema, so your vision should be monitored regularly. If you notice any vision changes, such as blurriness or sensitivity to light, contact your healthcare provider.
– Skin cancer: Some skin cancers have been reported with medications like VELSIPITY. Protect your skin from sunlight and UV light exposure and notify your healthcare provider of any skin changes.
– Brain blood vessel issues: Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) can occur with VELSIPITY treatment, leading to symptoms like severe headache or confusion. Seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms.
– Breathing problems: Some individuals may experience breathing difficulties while taking VELSIPITY, so notify your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening respiratory symptoms.
Common side effects of VELSIPITY include headaches, elevated liver tests, and dizziness. If you have any concerns about VELSIPITY or experience any side effects, consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Remember, it’s important to report any side effects to the FDA or Pfizer.
VELSIPITY is prescribed for adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis but should not be used in children. Stay informed and take care of your health while undergoing treatment with VELSIPITY.