How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Secukinumab is used to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis for adults and for children and adolescents 6 years of age and older, whose specialists have determined that systemic or phototherapy may be beneficial. It is also used to treat active psoriatic arthritis, active ankylosing spondylitis, or hidradenitis suppurativa for adults who have not had an adequate response to other treatments. This medication is also used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) for children 6 years of age and older.
For people with plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, or juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the body produces too much of a protein called interleukin-17A (IL-17A). Secukinumab recognizes this protein and blocks the action of IL-17A, reducing the symptoms of these conditions.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Each 1 mL of sterile solution for subcutaneous injection contains 150 mg of secukinumab. Nonmedicinal ingredients: trehalose dehydrate, L-histidine/histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, L-methionine, polysorbate 80, and water for injection.
This medication is supplied as a sterile solution in a single-use, prefilled syringe or a single-use prefilled SensoReady pen with a 27-gauge fixed ½-inch needle or a single-use, prefilled syringe with a 27-gauge fixed ½-inch needle. The cap of the 1 mL prefilled syringe or SensoReady pen contains a form of natural rubber latex.
How should I use this medication?
Plaque psoriasis: The recommended starting dose of secukinumab is for adults is 300 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin), once a week for 5 doses. After the first 5 weeks, 300 mg is injected once a month. Each dose is given as 2 injections of 150 mg.
The recommended starting dose of secukinumab is for children, aged 6 years and older, is based on body weight. Children weighing less than 50 kg should receive 75 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin), once a week for 5 doses. After the first 5 weeks, 75 mg is injected once a month. Children weighing 50 kg or more should receive 150 mg injected subcutaneously, once a week for 5 doses. After the first 5 weeks, 150 mg is injected once a month. This dose may be increased to 300 mg depending on how effective it is.
Psoriatic arthritis: The recommended starting dose of secukinumab is 150 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin), once a week for 5 doses. After the first 5 weeks, 150 mg is injected once a month. In certain situations, a dose of 300 mg may be required.
Ankylosing spondylitis: The recommended starting dose of secukinumab is 150 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin), once a week for 5 doses. After the first 5 weeks, 150 mg is injected once a month. This dose may be increased to 300 mg depending on how effective it is.
Hidradenitis suppurativa: The recommended dose of secukinumab for adults to treat hidradenitis suppurativa is 300 mg injected subcutaneously once a week for 5 weeks. After the first 5 weeks, 300 mg is injected once every 2 or 4 weeks depending on how effective it is.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA): The recommended dose of secukinumab for children is based on body weight. Children weighing less than 50 kg should receive 75 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin), once a week for 5 doses. After the first 5 weeks, 75 mg is injected once a month. Children weighing 50 kg or more should receive 150 mg injected subcutaneously, once a week for 5 doses. After the first 5 weeks, 150 mg is injected once a month.
Secukinumab is administered by subcutaneous injection in the thigh, buttocks, or abdomen. It is important to rotate the site of injection in order to minimize the risk of fat wasting at the site of injection. If possible, avoid injecting into areas that are affected by psoriasis.
Do not shake this medication before using it. The solution for injection should be clear and colourless-to-slightly-yellow. If it is brown or you can see particles in the solution, do not use it. You may remove this medication from the refrigerator 15 to 45 minutes before injection, depending on whether you are using the prefilled syringe or the prefilled pen, to allow it to warm to room temperature.
If you are using this medication at home, your doctor will ensure that you understand exactly how to use it. Make sure you ask any and all questions necessary to ensure that you use it exactly as prescribed. Please refer to the appropriate package insert for details on how to mix the medicine and for proper injection procedures. It is important to visit your doctor regularly during therapy to ensure that the medication is working safely and effectively.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and contact your doctor to discuss when you should inject the next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication in the refrigerator, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not allow this medication to freeze.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you:
- are allergic to secukinumab or any ingredients of the medication
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- cold-like symptoms (e.g., sore throat, runny nose)
- cold sores
- diarrhea
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- athlete's foot
- eye infection (e.g., discharge with itching, redness, swelling)
- itchy rash
- signs of infection (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
- skin rash with small purple or red bumps
- small itchy blisters on the palms of hands, soles of feet, and edges of fingers and toes
- symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever)
- thrush (white patches in the mouth)
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- painful swelling or sores on the skin
- signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Allergic reactions: In rare cases, some people may develop an allergic reaction to this medication. Signs of an allergic reaction include a severe rash, hives, swollen face or throat, or difficulty breathing. If these occur, contact your doctor immediately.
Inflammatory bowel disease: If you have inflammatory bowel disease, this medication may make symptoms of your condition worse. There have also been cases where people taking this medication have developed inflammatory bowel disease. Discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Infections: This medication can increase the risk of developing an infection, including serious infections such as sepsis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Before starting secukinumab treatment, your doctor may test to see if you have tuberculosis. If you notice signs of an infection such as fever, chills, pain, swelling, coughing, or pus, contact your doctor as soon as possible. This medication should also not be started while you have an active infection.
Tell your doctor if you have a history of infections that keep coming back, or other conditions that might increase your risk of infections such as diabetes. While you are taking secukinumab, your doctor will monitor you for signs of infection.
Latex allergy: The removable cap of the pre-filled syringe and SensoReady pen contains a chemical similar to natural rubber latex. No studies have been done with people who are allergic or sensitive to latex. If you have a latex allergy, discuss the risks and benefits of using this product, with your doctor.
Vaccines: Live vaccines (e.g., BCG, yellow fever) are not recommended for people taking this medication. Talk to your doctor if you need any vaccinations while taking this medication.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known secukinumab passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication to treat plaque psoriasis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis have not been established for children younger than 6 years of age. The safety and effectiveness of using of this medication to treat other conditions has not been determined for children and adolescents.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Cosentyx
