Indications & Uses
Cosentyx is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Secukinumab is a human monoclonal antibody that targets the IL-17A cytokine. It works by turning down inflammation in psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disease. Doctors haven't fully worked out how psoriasis develops, but they do know that a disturbance in the innate and adaptive immune responses plays a part in the long-lasting inflammation of the disease.
IL-17 is a family of six pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17A to F) that have many different effects in the body. Their expression is found to be higher in psoriatic skin. These cytokines act on many types of cell and give protection against extracellular pathogens that cause fungal or bacterial infections. Many of the cells that defend the immune system make IL-17 cytokines, such as Th17, mast cells, neutrophils and dendritic cells, and all of these are implicated in promoting inflammation.
There is also evidence linking IL-17 to the development of several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis and even atherosclerosis.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
For plaque psoriasis, the recommended dose of secukinumab is 300 mg by subcutaneous injection at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, followed by 300 mg every 4 weeks. For some patients, a dose of 150 mg may be acceptable. In psoriatic arthritis, patients who also have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis should follow the dosage and administration for plaque psoriasis. Other psoriatic arthritis patients can be given secukinumab with or without a loading dosage. With a loading dosage, the dose is 150 mg at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 and every 4 weeks after that. Without a loading dosage, it is 150 mg every 4 weeks. If a patient continues to have active psoriatic arthritis, consider a dosage of 300 mg. In ankylosing spondylitis, the medicine is also given with or without a loading dosage. With a loading dosage, the dose is 150 mg at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 and every 4 weeks after that. Without a loading dosage, it is 150 mg every 4 weeks.
Side Effects
With secukinumab, the side effects people report most often (in more than 1% of users) are nasopharyngitis, diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infection.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Infections Serious infections have occurred with Secukinumab. Be careful when considering it for a patient who has a chronic infection or a history of recurrent infection. If a serious infection develops, stop Secukinumab until the infection resolves. Tuberculosis (TB) Check the patient for TB before starting treatment with Secukinumab. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cases of inflammatory bowel disease were seen in clinical trials. So take care when prescribing Secukinumab to patients who already have inflammatory bowel disease. Hypersensitivity Reactions If an anaphylactic reaction or another serious allergic reaction occurs, stop Secukinumab immediately and start appropriate therapy.
Contraindications
Don't give secukinumab to anyone who has had a serious hypersensitivity reaction to it or to any of its excipients.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy: There isn't enough human data on secukinumab in pregnant women to tell whether it carries a risk of harmful effects on the baby's development. In an embryo-fetal development study, monkeys were given secukinumab under the skin during organogenesis at doses up to 30 times the maximum recommended human dose. No harmful developmental effects were seen in the infants born to these pregnant monkeys.
Lactation: Nobody knows whether secukinumab passes into human milk, or whether the body absorbs it after the baby swallows it. There are no data on how secukinumab affects a breastfed child or milk production. So the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby's development and health should be weighed against the mother's clinical need for secukinumab. Any possible harm to the breastfed child, either from secukinumab or from the mother's underlying condition, should be weighed too.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Overdose
In clinical trials, Secukinumab was given intravenously at doses up to 30 mg/kg, and no dose-limiting toxicity was seen. If an overdose happens, the patient should be watched for any signs or symptoms of adverse reactions, and suitable symptomatic treatment should be started immediately.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Store Secukinumab Sensoready pens, prefilled syringes and vials in a refrigerator at 2ºC to 8ºC. Keep them in the original carton until you are ready to use them, so the light doesn't reach the medicine. Don't freeze it, and don't shake it, because shaking can cause foaming. Secukinumab has no preservative in it, so throw away any portion you haven't used.
Common questions about Cosentyx 150 mg/ml
What is Cosentyx 150 mg/ml Injection?
Cosentyx 150 mg/ml Injection is a medicine that contains Secukinumab. It is made by Nevian Lifescience PLC. It belongs to the Drugs for Osteoarthritis group of medicines.
What is Cosentyx used for?
Cosentyx is used for: Psoriasis.
What are the side effects of Cosentyx?
With secukinumab, the side effects people report most often (in more than 1% of users) are nasopharyngitis, diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infection.
Can I take Cosentyx during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Pregnancy: There isn't enough human data on secukinumab in pregnant women to tell whether it carries a risk of harmful effects on the baby's development. In an embryo-fetal development study, monkeys were given secukinumab under the skin during organogenesis at doses up to 30 times the maximum recommended human dose. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Cosentyx?
In clinical trials, Secukinumab was given intravenously at doses up to 30 mg/kg, and no dose-limiting toxicity was seen. If an overdose happens, the patient should be watched for any signs or symptoms of adverse reactions, and suitable symptomatic treatment should be started immediately. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Cosentyx?
Store Secukinumab Sensoready pens, prefilled syringes and vials in a refrigerator at 2ºC to 8ºC. Keep them in the original carton until you are ready to use them, so the light doesn't reach the medicine.
Do I need a prescription for Cosentyx?
Cosentyx is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.