Stelara helps psoriasis by tempering theautoimmune-inducedinflammation underlying the condition.
This autoimmune response causes skin cells to multiply rapidly and form psoriatic plaques.
It also affects joints, causing pain, stiffness, and a loss ofrange of motion.
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This article discusses Stelara for psoriasis.
It explains how Stelara works, potential side effects, and dosing information.
It also provides information on the cost of Stelara and assistance programs available from the manufacturer.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
How Can Stelara Help Psoriasis?
Stelara helps treat psoriasis by acting on the underlying cause: a misfiring autoimmune system.
Plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are both autoimmune disorders that affect the skin.
Both occur when the immune system inexplicably attacks cells in the upper layer of skin (epidermis).
Antibodiesactivate the immune response unnecessarily and release inflammatory substances, calledcytokines, into the bloodstream.
This leads to long-term inflammation that can be damaging to cells.
Stelara works by suppressing two specific cytokinesinterleukin 12 (IL-12) and interleukin 23 (IL-23).
Both play a key role in inflammatory diseases like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
How Quickly Does Stelara Work for Psoriasis?
Stelara starts working on your immune system after the first dose.
Who Can Take Stelara?
Stelara can be used with or without methotrexate in people ages 6 and older with psoriatic arthritis.
In severe casessuch asarthritis mutilans, a rare complicationStelara may be used in first-line combination therapy.
Stelara is also approved for the treatment of Crohn’s disease andulcerative colitis.
It is available in 45-milligrams (mg) and 90-mg single-use, prefilled syringes.
It is also offered in 45-mg and 90-mg single-use vials.
Stelara Side Effects
As with any other drug, there are side effects associated with Stelara use.
Many are the result of immune suppression, which may leave you vulnerable to certain infections.
Prior to treatment, people should betested for TBand treated if an infection is detected.
Anyone with a previous reaction should not be rechallenged no matter how mild the reaction may have been.
Stelara should be used with caution with other immune-suppressive drugs.
The cumulative effect may leave you vulnerable to a wider range of serious infections.
The drugs are not outright contraindicated for use with Stelara.
They may, in fact, be beneficial when prescribed correctly).
But they should be prescribed and carefully managed by therheumatologistoverseeing your care.
This is not a complete list of contraindications.
Speak with your healthcare provider about whether Stelara is right for you.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
These are vaccines made with deactivated but still living viruses.
If used, the vaccine may actually instigate the disease it was meant to prevent.
You should also double-check with your rheumatologist to ensure getting it is safe for you.
Stelara may also increase the risk of certain cancers, especiallysquamous cell skin cancer.
Anyone treated with Stelara should be monitored for non-melanoma skin malignancies.
Stelara Cost and Discounts
Unfortunately, this not an inexpensive treatment.
A single 90 mL pre-filled syringe of Stelara can cost in excess of $25,000 without insurance.
The per-dose price must be multiplied appropriately to get the total cost of using Stelara.
Prescription drug discounts are available for Stelara.
Manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals offers theStelar WithMe Savings Program.
Eligible participants with private insurance can pay as little as $5 for the medication.
Assistance is based on income and household size.
Is Generic Ustekinumab Available?
Stelara, the brand name for ustekinumab, has been on the market in the U.S. since 2009.
It is currently not available in a generic formula.
Examples of biosimilars of Stelara include Pyzchiva (ustekinumab-ttwe) and Yesintek (ustekinumab-kfce).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Highlights of prescribing information: Stelara (ustekinumab).
2016;10:36853698. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S102141
National Psoriasis Foundation.FDA determinations for pregnant and nursing women.
