Following successful studies, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended a new drug for adults with moderately or severely active Crohn’s
There’s good news for Chron’s disease sufferers according to an NHS GP, who has talked about a new treatment for the condition that has been approved in the UK. Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition where part of your gut becomes inflamed and according to BUPA UK, affects around one in every 650 people.
“The treatment is called omvoh or mirikizumab and this is really exciting because it’s the first drug of its kind to specifically target IL-23 – a major cytokine that drives inflammation in Crohn’s disease,” explained expert, Dr Sami in a TikTok video. The doctor continued, pointing out the medication spells great news for those who experience fatigue, pain, bleeding and unpredictable bowel motions as a result of the ailment.
“It can really impact on work and family life, so by blocking IL-23, Mirikizumab helps reduce inflammation allowing the bowel to heal,” Dr Sami said of the science behind the drug, which has been recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a viable treatment option.
As a consequence, he believes sufferers are likely to experience less pain and bloating, less bleeding and more consistent motions – and potentially, less Crohn’s patients requiring bowel surgery and stomas.
Dr Sami also revealed that in clinical trials, around one in four patients achieved remission by 12 weeks. “45% were in remission after one year, compared to 20% on placebo,” he stated. “And many others saw a meaningful improvement.”
He also enthused: “What is even better is that it seems to work longer than the current treatment – many of those who responded were symptom-free for up to three years.”
As a result, this meant the sufferers didn’t require steroid treatment or other forms of Crohn’s medication during this period.”
“Many showed visible bowel healing on endoscopy,” Dr Sami added. “Like all biologics, mirikizumab can increase the risk of infections and may cause mild side effects like headaches, cold symptoms, or raised liver tests – so it’s prescribed under specialist supervision.”
However, it should be noted, that as is the case for most drugs, there are side effects. “These include a greater chance of getting infections,” Dr Sami warned.
He added: “[You can also get] pain at the injection site, headaches and elevated liver enzymes.”
Dr Sami closed by revealing that mirikizumab should be available to “eligible Crohn’s patients” in England within 30 days and Wales within 60 days.
The charity, Crohn’s and Colitis UK adds further details online, stating:
NICE has now recommended mirikizumab as a treatment option for adults with moderately or severely active Crohn’s who:
- Cannot take an anti-TNF medicine such as adalimumab, infliximab or golimumab
- Have not responded well enough to a previous biologic medicine
- Have stopped responding to a previous biologic medicine
- Have had to stop taking a previous biological medicine because of side effects
Crohn’s and Colitis UK also explains how patients will be treated, adding:
“You will have your first three doses of mirikizumab through a drip into a vein. You will have one dose every 4 weeks. This aims to get your Crohn’s under control.
“After this, you will have mirikizumab as an injection under your skin. Your doctor or nurse will teach you how to use it yourself at home. You will have the injection every 4 weeks. The injections aim to keep your Crohn’s under control.”