Etrasimod: Review of the safety and practical management considerations of a new oral therapy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Modulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors represents a relatively recent approach in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, although these modulators have been approved since 2010 for other inflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Etrasimod is a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulator that binds to S1PR1, S1PR4 and S1PR5 receptors, and its efficacy has been demonstrated in the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. It is a small molecule and synthetic drug administered orally, with a proper bioavailability and a fast elimination rate, predictable pharmacokinetics and lack of immunogenicity, which are convenient characteristics for both efficacy and safety. This article reviews the pharmacological characteristics of etrasimod and its safety profile.