Kynteles 300mg injection contains the active component of vedolizumab, which belongs to the group of biological medicines known as monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). It is used as a treatment option for adults dealing with moderate to severe cases of ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the large bowel), Crohn's disease (inflammation affecting the digestive system), and chronic pouchitis (inflammation of the lining of a pouch created during surgery to treat ulcerative colitis). In these three conditions, your initial course of treatment will typically involve other medications. If you do not respond well to them or experience intolerable side effects, your doctor may prescribe Kynteles 300mg injection to help alleviate the signs and symptoms of your condition. 

Do not take this medication if you are under 18 or have allergies to vedolizumab or its components. Additionally, it is essential to inform your doctor if you have an active severe infection, such as tuberculosis (TB), blood poisoning, severe diarrhoea and vomiting (gastroenteritis), or nervous system infection. Another critical point is that you should not take this medication with other biological medicines that suppress your immune system, such as natalizumab or rituximab. 

Inform your healthcare provider if you plan to receive a vaccination or have recently had one. Vedolizumab may impact your response to vaccines. Always provide your doctor with a comprehensive overview of your medical history and the medications you are taking before starting this treatment. If you experience any possible side effects during or after treatment, don't hesitate to notify your doctor promptly.

It is used to treat:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease
• Chronic pouchitis

The primary mechanism of action of vedolizumab is to inhibit the activity of a protein on the surfaces of white blood cells, which is responsible for the inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and pouchitis — this inhibition of the protein results in a decrease in the amount of inflammation.

Inform your doctor about any prescribed medications, over-the-counter medicines, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products you take or have taken before the treatment. Certain medications may interact with kynteles 300mg injection and can cause undesirable side effects, especially if you are under immunosuppressant or corticosteroid therapy.

• Store in refrigerator at (2°C-8°C)
• Do not freeze
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not dispose of the medication in wastewater or household waste. Always return to the pharmacy when you no longer require the medication.

This medicine is given only in a hospital setup by a healthcare provider. It is infused directly into your veins by your physician. Your physician will decide the dosage, frequency, and schedule of the course of treatment based on the severity of your disorder and other factors. Do not miss or skip any scheduled dose. Do not stop the treatment without the doctor's acknowledgment.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all medicines cause side effects, not everyone gets them.

Serious:

• Allergic reactions - the signs may include wheezing or difficulty breathing, hives, itching of the skin, swelling, feeling sick, pain at the infusion site, redness of skin
• Serious infections - the signs may include chills, shivering, high fever, or rash.
• Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy - PML (a rare fatal opportunistic infection of the central nervous system)
• Severe liver injury

Common:

• Common cold, fever, and night sweats
• Pain in joint, back, throat, or limb
• Headache and tiredness
• Infections
• Muscle cramps and weakness
• Bloated stomach
• High blood pressure
• Heartburn
• Haemorrhoids
• Eczema and acne (pimples)

Kynteles 300mg injection is intended exclusively for in-hospital use and administered only by a healthcare provider. If you are a woman of reproductive age, it is advisable to take precautions to avoid pregnancy while receiving this injection; use effective contraception during the treatment period and for at least four and half months after your final treatment. 

Regarding the safety and effectiveness of kynteles 300mg injection, there aren't any significant differences between elderly and younger patients. However, elderly patients should still undergo close monitoring. If you ever experience symptoms suggestive of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), such as blurred vision, loss of vision, double vision, speech difficulties, weakness in an arm or leg, changes in your gait or balance, persistent numbness, decreased sensation, or memory issues, it is crucial to inform your healthcare provider immediately. 

This injection may take up to 14 weeks to show its full effect in some patients with very active Crohn's disease. So, inform your doctor if you do not notice any improvement in your condition. Make sure to stick to your scheduled doses throughout your treatment.

1. Takeda Pharma A/S, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [Revised on April 2022] [Accessed on 22nd Sep 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5442/pil

2. Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), [Issued on May 2014] [Accessed on 22nd Sep 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/125476s000lbl.pdf

3. Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Pharmacology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, 13th Edition, 2018, 950-951