Medication Profile: Ustekinumab

Summary or Key Points

Ustekinumab is a prescription medication primarily used to treat inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s Disease, Psoriasis, and Psoriatic Arthritis. As an immunosuppressive drug, it helps to reduce inflammation by modulating the immune system. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice; telemedicine consultations are available with our team of experienced providers.

Names of Medication

U.S. Brand Name: Stelara^® (Ustekinumab)

The ‘generic name’ of a medication is the official, scientific name of the drug, which is typically used globally and is not specific to a particular brand or manufacturer. In this article, the generic name is provided in parenthesis next to the brand name.

Pharmacologic Category

Ustekinumab falls into the category of medications known as human monoclonal antibodies. Other medications in this group include Adalimumab (Humira^®), Infliximab (Remicade^®), and Secukinumab (Cosentyx^®).

Dosing

Ustekinumab dosing depends on the specific condition being treated. Always consult with your healthcare provider before adjusting your dose; telemedicine consultations are available with our team for personalized advice. Here are the general dosing guidelines:

• Crohn’s Disease: An initial dose of 260 to 520 mg, depending on body weight, administered as an intravenous infusion, followed by 90 mg subcutaneous injection every 8 weeks.
• Psoriasis: An initial dose of 45 or 90 mg, depending on body weight, administered subcutaneously, followed by the same dose 4 weeks later, then every 12 weeks thereafter.
• Psoriatic Arthritis: 45 mg administered subcutaneously, followed by another dose 4 weeks later, then every 12 weeks thereafter. For patients with coexistent moderate-to-severe psoriasis or weighing more than 100 kg, the dose is 90 mg.

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Ustekinumab is available in the following forms and strengths:

• Injection: 45 mg/0.5 mL
• Injection: 90 mg/mL
• Injection for intravenous use: 130 mg/26 mL (5 mg/mL)

Administration Instructions

Adverse Reactions and Side Effects

Like all medications, Ustekinumab can cause side effects. However, not everyone will experience them, and they can often be mild and temporary. Some possible side effects include:

• Frequent (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): Upper respiratory infection, headache, fatigue.
• Less frequent (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): Allergic reactions, back pain, dizziness, diarrhea.
• Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): Serious infections, certain types of cancers.

Please consult with your healthcare provider if you experience any side effects. Our providers are available for immediate telemedicine consultations.

Contraindications

A contraindication is a specific situation in which a drug, procedure, or surgery should not be used because it may be harmful to the person. Ustekinumab has the following contraindications:

• Severe infections: Ustekinumab can make infections worse by lowering the ability of the immune system to fight infections.
• Allergic reactions: If you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to ustekinumab or any of its ingredients in the past, taking it could lead to a serious allergic reaction.

Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding these contraindications. Our team of professionals is available for immediate consultation through our telemedicine services.

Drug to Drug Interactions

While Ustekinumab does not have many known drug interactions, it may interact with:

• Live vaccines (like the MMR or yellow fever vaccines).
• Certain immunosuppressive drugs such as Tofacitinib (Xeljanz^®).

Ustekinumab in Pregnancy

It is not known if Ustekinumab can harm your unborn baby. Always consult your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before starting this medication. Our experienced providers are available for telemedicine consultations to discuss your specific situation.

Ustekinumab while Breastfeeding

It is not known if Ustekinumab passes into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, consult your healthcare provider. Our telemedicine team is here to assist you in making informed decisions.

Estimated Cost of Medication

The cost for Ustekinumab (Stelara^®) subcutaneous kit (45 mg/0.5 mL) is around $24,000 for a supply of 1 kit, depending on the pharmacy you visit, using a GoodRx coupon.

Possible Alternatives

While Ustekinumab is an effective treatment for certain inflammatory conditions, there may be alternative treatments or lifestyle changes that could also be beneficial. These should be discussed with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan. Our telemedicine service makes consulting with our team of professionals a seamless process. Here are possible alternatives for the listed diseases:

• Crohn’s Disease: Alternative treatments may include other biologics, corticosteroids, aminosalicylates, immunomodulators, or surgery. Lifestyle changes such as dietary adjustments and regular exercise can also help manage symptoms.
• Psoriasis: Topical treatments, phototherapy, other systemic medications, or lifestyle changes such as stress management and avoiding triggers may be alternatives.
• Psoriatic Arthritis: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), corticosteroids, and regular physical exercise could be considered.

Recent Updates on Ustekinumab Research

Recent research suggests that Ustekinumab may be effective in treating other immune-related conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). More research is needed to confirm these findings. We are committed to keeping you informed about the latest research on the medications we recommend, and we encourage you to consult with one of our providers through telemedicine to discuss these developments.

Brief Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Reliance on the information provided here is at your own risk.
Brief Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Reliance on the information provided here is at your own risk.