The decision permits NHS doctors to prescribe the drug to treat moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults when conventional therapy or a biological agent cannot be tolerated, or the disease has responded inadequately or lost response to treatment, only if: a tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitor has failed, cannot be tolerated, or is unsuitable.
TNF-alpha inhibitors are the most commonly used biological treatment option in this setting, and people unable to take them are then usually offered vedolizumab. Both Stelara and vedolizumab have similar safety profiles and work differently to TNF-alpha inhibitors…
