Cosentyx

Indications

Secukinumab is a prescription biologic medicine used for long-term inflammatory conditions: moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (inflammation of the spine), and hidradenitis suppurativa (painful recurring lumps and abscesses in skin folds). It is usually started by a skin or joint specialist when other treatments have not worked well enough.

How It Works

Secukinumab is a monoclonal antibody, a laboratory-made protein that targets one specific molecule. It binds to interleukin-17A (IL-17A), a messenger protein of the immune system that drives inflammation in the skin, joints and spine. By blocking IL-17A, it reduces redness, scaling, joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

Dosage and Administration

Secukinumab is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous) of the thigh, abdomen or upper arm, using a prefilled pen or syringe. Treatment usually starts with weekly loading doses for the first few weeks, followed by one dose every month. The exact dose and schedule depend on the condition and body weight and are set by the specialist. Patients can inject themselves at home after training.

Interactions

• Live vaccines should not be given during treatment; complete any needed vaccines before starting.
• Tell your doctor if you take other medicines that suppress the immune system.
• Medicines with a narrow safety range such as Warfarin or Ciclosporin may need monitoring when treatment starts or stops.

Contraindications

• Severe allergy to Secukinumab or any ingredient (the prefilled pen cap may contain latex)
• Active, serious infection, including active tuberculosis

Side Effects

• Common cold symptoms, sore throat, runny nose
• Cold sores, diarrhoea, headache, nausea
• Fungal infections of the mouth or skin (thrush, athlete's foot)
• Injection site reactions
• Worsening or new inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)

Get urgent medical help if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction (swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing), signs of a serious infection (high fever, persistent cough, burning when passing urine, painful red skin), or severe stomach pain with diarrhoea or blood in the stools.

Pregnancy and Lactation

It is best avoided during pregnancy. Women who could become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 20 weeks after the last dose. It is not known whether it passes into breast milk; discuss breastfeeding with your doctor.

Precautions and Warnings

• You will be checked for tuberculosis before starting.
• Tell your doctor if you get frequent infections or have inflammatory bowel disease.
• Do not inject into skin that is tender, bruised, red, scaly or hard.
• Keep regular follow-up with your specialist.

Overdose

Higher doses have been given in studies without serious toxicity. If too much is injected, contact your doctor; you will be watched for side effects.

Therapeutic Class

Immunosuppressant biologic (interleukin-17A inhibitor monoclonal antibody).

Storage

Store in a refrigerator at 2 to 8°C in the original carton to protect from light; do not freeze or shake. Let it reach room temperature for about 15 to 30 minutes before injecting. Keep out of the reach of children.