Pregnancy And Breastfeeding While Taking Stelara
It isnt known whether Stelara is safe to take while either pregnant or breastfeeding. Studies in pregnant animals didnt show harm to the fetus when Stelara was given to pregnant females. Animal studies also showed that, when Stelara was given to lactating females, the drug passed into breast milk.
However, its important to remember that animal studies dont always predict what will happen in people. There isnt enough information to know for sure how the drug may affect human pregnancy or breastfeeding.
If you have additional questions about using Stelara while pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor.
If you took Stelara during a past pregnancy or if youre currently taking it during pregnancy, youre encouraged join a pregnancy registry. The goal of this registry is to help doctors and people taking the drug learn more about the drugs safety. Consider calling the registry at 866-626-6847. Or you can visit the program website.
Stelara is approved to treat the following in certain conditions:
- moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults, as well as children ages 6 years and older
- moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis in adults
Regardless of the condition its used to treat, side effects from Stelara arent common. Most side effects that occur are usually mild, and tend to go away on their own.
Rarely, Stelara may cause some serious side effects. Contact your doctor if you experience:
Get emergency medical help right away if you experience:
Stelara: Side Effects How Its Taken Cost And Mor
- Ustekinumab is a human monoclonal antibody. It is directed against interleukin 12and interleukin 23, naturally occurring proteins that regulate the immune system and immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. In two Phase III trials for moderate to severe psoriasis, the longest > 76 weeks, Ustekinumab was safe and effective
- Humira to Stelara Stelara to Cosentyx And the only thing I was ever told was that I had to wait till the last dose had finished its time. So for Stelara it would be 12 weeks after your last shot before you can move over to Taltz. Welcome to Psoriasis Club by the way
- Find 56 user ratings and reviews for Stelara Subcutaneous on WebMD including side effects and drug interactions, medication effectiveness, ease of use and satisfactio
- istration in 2009 and is also approved for treating psoriatic arthritis 1.. Ustekinumab, the active ingredient in Stelara, is a type of biologic therapy. It is a powerful treatment that affects the way the immune system works to help.
- The use of Tremfya and Stelara in treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis has been directly compared in a clinical study. Researchers looked at people whose symptoms didnt clear up within.
- Tremfya and Stelara are both injections used to treat plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in adults. Stelara is prescribed for other conditions, too, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohns.
Are Stelara And Humira Used To Treat Ulcerative Colitis
Yes, both Stelara and Humira are treatment options for ulcerative colitis . This is a type of inflammatory bowel disease .
Both drugs can help adults with active moderate to severe UC achieve and maintain remission. Active means you have inflammation in your large intestine thats causing UC symptoms. Remission means the inflammation is controlled and not causing symptoms.
Stelara and Humira are also used to treat moderate to severe Crohns disease, another IBD, in adults.* And Humira is used to treat this condition in children ages 6 years and older if it hasnt improved with other treatments.
If you have IBD that isnt controlled with your current treatment, ask your doctor about Stelara or Humira.
* Both drugs treat moderate to severe Crohns disease, but Humira is used only when other treatment options havent helped enough.
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What Vaccines Can I Get During Stelara Treatment
Stelara makes your immune system less able to function. Certain vaccines are made from weakened forms of a virus. Because your immune system cant fight off the virus very well, you shouldnt get live vaccines during Stelara treatment. Doing so can put you at risk for developing the infection that the vaccine is meant to prevent.
Your doctor may recommend that you have all of the vaccines you need before you start Stelara treatment. This includes both live and non-live vaccines, with the exception of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine.
The BCG vaccine is meant to prevent tuberculosis . Its more commonly given to people who live outside of the United States. You shouldnt start taking Stelara for at least 1 year after youve received a BCG vaccine.
If you receive any non-live vaccines while youre taking Stelara, its possible that your immune system wont have the right response to the vaccine. This means that the vaccine might not be able to prevent the infection that its meant to prevent.
Talk with your doctor to make sure you are up to date on all of your vaccinations before you start using Stelara.
What About Side Effects
The medicine can cause itching or redness near the injection site. If this happens, the discomfort should be mild. If you have pain, swelling, warmth, or discoloration near the injection site, you should contact your healthcare provider.
Allergic reactions may happen. Call your healthcare provider or 911 if you have any signs of an allergic reaction, such as rashes or hives swollen face, eyelids, lips, or tongue and difficulty breathing.
The most common serious side effect is infection. Ustekinumab can lower the bodys ability to fight infection. Be sure to contact your physician if you have any signs of infection, such as fever, fatigue, cough, or red or painful skin. You may have to stop Ustekinumab while being treated for an infection. You may also have to stop if you are planning a surgery.
You will need to have a negative tuberculosis test before beginning Ustekinumab therapy. Your doctor will also check your blood to make sure you do not have Hepatitis B or C.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have any symptoms of heart disease, like shortness of breath when you lie down or exert yourself, swelling or edema of your legs, ankles, and feet, or chest pain or heaviness. This class of drugs may cause your heart disease to get worse.
Tell your doctor if you live or have lived in an area where fungal infections are more common. You may be at higher risk of getting a fungal infection while taking Ustekinumab.
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What To Expect During Treatment
The first time you receive Stelara, it will be given through an IV infusion at a doctors office or clinic. The amount given in your first dose will be determined by your weight.
After your first IV dose, you take Stelara as an injection at home. You can self-inject or have a friend or loved one help you.
Stelara comes in a prefilled syringe with a plunger top. No matter what your initial infusion dose was, your ongoing doses will be 90 milligrams. No measuring is necessary.
The needle cover on the syringe contains latex, so make sure to let a healthcare professional know if you have a latex allergy.
Stelara can be injected into any of these sites:
- upper front thigh
- abdomen, except for a 2-inch radius around your belly button
- outer upper arm
Before injecting, always check the expiration date on the box. You should also inspect the liquid in the syringe. It should range in color from clear to pale yellow. It may contain a few small, white particles. If the liquid is cloudy, frozen, dark yellow, or has large particles, do not use it.
If I Take Stelara For A Long Time Will I Have Withdrawal Symptoms When I Stop Using It
Its possible that your condition may return or worsen if you stop taking Stelara. This can lead to symptoms that may be confused with withdrawal symptoms.
Dont stop taking Stelara unless your doctor recommends that you stop treatment. Once you stop taking Stelara, your doctor will monitor you closely to determine if you can safely remain off the medication.
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What Are The Possible Side Effects And Risks Of Taking Stelara
Stelara can reduce your immune systemâs ability to fight off infections caused by viruses, fungus, or bacteria. These can be very serious or even life-threatening. Let your healthcare provider know if you develop any symptoms of infection during treatment with Stelara, such as fever, cough, weight loss, or flu-like symptoms4.
Taking Stelara can cause a slight increase in the risk of developing certain types of cancers, such as skin cancer. It can also increase the risk of a very rare condition called reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. Healthcare providers will monitor patients for signs of any serious side effects during treatment4.
The side effects that are most frequently reported by patients who take Stelara are:
- runny nose
- skin reactions where the injection is delivered
This is not an exhaustive list of side effects experienced by those taking Stelara.
What Are The Side Effects And Risks Of Stelara
Some of the immediate side effects of ustekinumab include:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swelling in any part of the body
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Back pain, muscle pain, joint pain
- Tiredness and fatigue
Stelara weakens the immune system and can make you more prone to infections. The following symptoms may be a sign of infection. Tell your doctor if you experience:
- Fever or flu-like symptoms, night sweats
- Tiredness or shortness of breath
- A persistent cough
- Warm, red, painful skin, or a painful skin rash with blisters
- Burning when passing urine
Less commonly, some patients taking Stelara may develop tooth infections, a blocked nose, depression, bleeding or bruising at the injection site, temporary muscle weakness in the face, yeast and urinary tract infections.
As ustekinumab suppresses the immune system, it theoretically increases your chance of developing some cancers.
Notify your doctor or care team of any new symptoms you develop whilst taking Stelara.
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General Information About The Safe And Effective Use Of Stelara
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use Stelara for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Stelara to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about Stelara that was written for health professionals.
How Long Does Stelara Take To Work
Everyone responds differently when taking a new medicine, and Stelara doesnt work for everyone. Clinical trials have shown that some patients start to see results within three weeks in Crohn’s disease and two weeks in ulcerative colitis, but most people who respond to Stelara see an improvement within six weeks. In some people it could take longer. You may be taken off Stelara if you have any serious side effects or if you have not responded within 16 weeks of starting your treatment.
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Key Points About Cimzia
- Cimzia is approved to treat Crohn’s disease.
- Cimzia is usually given at home by injection.
- Cimzia is given initially three times in a series of two injections, two weeks apart, followed by two injections every four weeks.
- Common side effects include respiratory infections, viral infections, rashes, and urinary tract infections.
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, you and your doctor should decide if you should take Cimzia.
- A low amount of Cimzia may pass into the breastmilk.
- Cimzia needs to be refrigerated.
Serious Side Effects Of Stelara
Rarely, Stelara may cause serious side effects. Serious side effects werent common in clinical trials. The list below may not include all possible reported serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Stelara medication guide.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Stelara, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening, or if you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:
- reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome
Stelara may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drugs side effects and their answers.
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There May Be Side Effects
Research to date suggests Stelara has a good safety profile for CD. One frequently cited issue is skin irritation and redness where an injection was given. Other common side effects may include increased upper respiratory, urinary tract and vaginal yeast infections. Since Stelara suppresses the immune system, it may also raise your chances of developing more serious infections, as well as certain cancers. Long term patient registries are needed to know the true risk of cancer while taking Stelara.
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What Strengths Does Stelara Come In
Stelara is available in either a single-dose prefilled syringe or a single-dose vial, both of which can be given by subcutaneous injection. The prefilled syringe and the vial both come in a strength of 45 milligrams per 0.5 milliliters of solution. In addition, the prefilled syringe is available in a strength of 90 mg/mL.
When given by IV infusion, Stelara comes in a single-dose vial thats available in one strength: 130 mg/26 mL.
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If You Forget To Use It
- Make the next injection as soon as you remember, and then continue to use it as you would normally.
- Do not administer a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you have missed more than one dose, or are not sure what to do, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering when to use your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
How To Optimize Treatment With Ustekinumab In Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Lessons Learned From Clinical Trials And Real
- 2Gastroenterology Department, Hospital de Galdakao, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Galdakao, Spain
Ustekinumab is a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that has been approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohnâs disease, and more recently moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. It binds with high affinity to the p40 subunit of human interleukin-12 and 23. This mechanism of action prevents the bioactivity of both interleukins, thus precluding their interaction with the cell surface receptor protein. The pivotal clinical trials demonstrated its clinical efficacy and safety, in naïve patients and also in those previously exposed to immunosuppressants and/or biologics. There is now an extensive experience with its use worldwide, corroborating its favorable profile even in patients with refractory disease. However, the number of medical treatment options available in inflammatory bowel disease are still limited. Hence, we should prioritize the treatments that have a greater probability of response in an individual patient. Our aim was to review and summarize all the available literature regarding the potential predictors of response to ustekinumab that can increase the success rate with this therapy in clinical practice.
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Will Stelara Cure My Crohns Disease
No, Stelara isnt a cure for Crohns disease. Currently, there isnt a cure for this condition.
In clinical studies, Stelara was effective at relieving Crohns disease symptoms. In fact, some study participants experienced remission, which means that after starting the treatment, they had very few or no symptoms. In these studies, nearly half of the people who received Stelara experienced remission by week 44 of the treatment.
If you have questions about what to expect from Crohns disease treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Stelara So New For Crohns
When I asked my doctor what side effects there were from the infusion, he said there should be none. Im not sure Im buying that. When I was on Remicade, after the first two infusions my muscles were incredibly sore for two or three days and I was pretty uncomfortable. So Im expecting something like that.
The thing is, Stelara is so new for Crohns disease that when I Google it, I cant find anything about actual patient experiences. For my doctor, Ill be one of the first to be using it. Can you say #guineapig?
In the meantime, I went off Cimzia, which stopped working about two months ago. Ive really been enjoying not getting stuck with a needle jammed into my stomach every week, but thats about as far as my enjoyment goes. Ive been holding it together with Prednisone and Percocet . Ive gained weight from the Prednisone, Im bloated and uncomfortable, Im tired but cant sleep, and hate using painkillers just to get through sometimes. Stelara must be better than that, right?
I can only hope so.
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How Much To Use
- Your doctor will determine the correct dose of STELARA for you and how often you should receive it. Make sure to discuss with your doctor when you will receive injections and to come in for all your scheduled follow-up appointments.
- For children and adolescents aged 6 years or older with psoriasis:- The doctor will work out the right dose for you, including the amount of Stelara to be injected to give the right dose. The right dose for you will depend on your body weight at the time each dose is given. If you weigh less than 60 kg, the recommended dose is 0.75 mg of Stelara per kg body weight.- If you weigh 60 kg to 100 kg, the recommended dose is 45 mg Stelara.- If you weigh more than 100 kg, the recommended dose is 90 mg Stelara.- After the starting dose, you will have the next dose 4 weeks later, and then every 12 weeks.