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There’s promising news for those with Crohn’s disease, as highlighted by an NHS GP discussing a newly approved treatment in the UK.
Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed, affecting about one in every 650 individuals, according to BUPA UK. “The new treatment, known as omvoh or mirikizumab, is particularly exciting because it’s the first medication designed specifically to target IL-23, a key cytokine causing inflammation in Crohn’s disease,” explained Dr. Sami in a TikTok video.
The doctor emphasized that this medication is significant for individuals who endure symptoms like fatigue, discomfort, bleeding, and erratic bowel movements due to the disease.
Dr. Sami described how mirikizumab works by blocking IL-23, thus reducing inflammation and assisting in bowel healing—a development recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as an effective treatment option.
He suggested that this could lead to less pain and bloating, reduced bleeding, and more regular bowel movements, potentially lowering the number of Crohn’s patients needing bowel surgery and stomas.
In clinical trials cited by Dr. Sami, about 25% of patients reached remission within 12 weeks. “After one year, 45% were in remission compared to 20% on placebo,” he mentioned, noting that many patients experienced significant improvement.
He also expressed his excitement, stating: “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.”
This meant that during this period, the patients did not require steroid treatment or other forms of Crohn’s medication. “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, he cautioned that, as with most drugs, there are side effects. “These include a greater chance of getting infections,” Dr Sami warned. He further noted: “[You can also get] pain at the injection site, headaches and elevated liver enzymes.”
Dr Sami concluded 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.”
