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.
Can I Take Ustekinumab With Other Medication
Most other medications can be taken safely whilst on Stelara. Your doctor will advise you if it is safe to take other medications at the same time as Stelara. Its important that you provide a full list of the medications, including non-prescribed, you are taking, or have taken recently, especially if those medications affect your immune system.
Some patients will be prescribed other medications alongside ustekinumab, such as azathioprine, methotrexate and steroids.
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 Other Drugs Could Interact With This Medication
There may be an interaction between ustekinumab and any of the following:
- BCG
- upadacitinib
- vaccines
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter , and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 2022. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Stelara
What Are The Ingredients In Stelara
Active ingredient: ustekinumabInactive ingredients: Single-dose prefilled syringe for subcutaneous use contains L-histidine, L-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate, Polysorbate 80, and sucrose. Single-dose vial for subcutaneous use contains L-histidine, L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, Polysorbate 80 and sucrose. Single-dose vial for intravenous infusion contains EDTA disodium salt dihydrate, L-histidine, L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, L-methionine, Polysorbate 80, and sucrose.
For more information, go to www.stelarainfo.com or call 1-800-JANSSEN .
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Who Can Take Ustekinumab
Stelara has been approved for use by:
Adults with Crohns disease
- Adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohns disease who havent responded well, or are intolerant to other treatments
Adults with ulcerative colitis
- Adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who havent responded well, or are intolerant to other therapies
You shouldnt take Stelara if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ustekinumab or any of its ingredients. This includes latex, which is present in the pre-filled syringes used to deliver Stelara. If you have a latex allergy then you should speak to your doctor as vials which do not contain latex can be provided.
You should tell your doctor if you have any history of tuberculosis or any exposure to people with TB. You should not be given Stelara if you have active TB. If you have underlying, inactive TB, this will need to be treated before starting Stelara.
Before taking Stelara you should tell your doctor all of your symptoms and if you believe you may currently have any infections, are pregnant, are planning to get pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are taking, or have recently taken any other medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins or supplements.
You should also tell your doctor if you have recently had, or are due to have any vaccinations.
What Side Effects Are Possible With This Medication
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is used in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who uses this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people using this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- back pain
- injection site reactions such as pain, redness, or swelling
- itchiness
- nausea
- muscle or joint pain
- symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold or sinus infections
- tiredness
- vaginal yeast infection
- vomiting
Although most of the side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Stop using the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing hives swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
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Are There Any Long
Yes, its possible for you to have long-term side effects from receiving Stelara. In many cases, side effects that you develop may ease over time or stop if you end treatment. But other side effects may last throughout treatment or even after stopping treatment.
For example, you may have headaches or injection site reactions with each of your Stelara doses. These side effects may go away after your dose or when you stop receiving the medication. But Stelara can also cause long-term side effects, such as cancer, which may occur even after you stop receiving the medication.
If youre concerned about long-term side effects from Stelara, talk with your doctor.
Financial And Insurance Assistance
If you need financial support to pay for Stelara, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.
Janssen Biotech, Inc., the manufacturer of Stelara, offers a program called Janssen CarePath. For more information and to find out if youre eligible for support, call 877-CAREPATH or visit the program website.
Your doctor will recommend if you need to take other drugs with Stelara to treat your condition.
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Dosage For Plaque Psoriasis
Stelara is approved to treat plaque psoriasis in both adults and children ages 6 years and older. The typical dosage for adults is described here.
Stelara is given as one subcutaneous injection on each of the following days:
- your first dose is given on day 1
- your second dose is given 4 weeks later
- your third dose is given 12 weeks after your second dose
- the rest of your doses are given every 12 weeks
The usual dosage of Stelara for plaque psoriasis is based on your body weight and age. In adults with plaque psoriasis, the typical dosage of Stelara for each injection is as follows:
- for adults who weigh 100 kilograms or less, their usual dosage is 45 mg
- for adults who weigh more than 100 kilograms, their usual dosage is 90 mg
How Does This Medication Work What Will It Do For Me
Ustekinumab belongs to the class of medications called selective immunomodulating agents, also known as biologics. It is used to treat chronic, moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis for adults who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy. It is also used forchildren and adolescents 6 to 17 years old who can’t tolerate other therapies, or whose symptoms aren’t controlled by other therapies. Ustekinumab may be used alone or with methotrexate to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis.
Ustekinumab is also used to treat adults with moderately-to-severely active Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis who can’t tolerate other medications, or whose symptoms aren’t adequately controlled by other medications.
Ustekinumab works by blocking the action of 2 proteins in the body that are part of the immune system. This decreases the activity of parts of the immune system that are believed to be involved in psoriasis and Crohn’s disease.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
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- In your description, mention the brand, dose, and period of time that you used the drug or treatment.
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Taking Stelara With Other Drugs
You may need to take Stelara with other medications to treat your condition. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about taking other drugs together with Stelara.
Other drugs with Stelara for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis
Its not known if taking other immune system blockers or using with Stelara for psoriasis is safe. But methotrexate may be used with Stelara to treat psoriatic arthritis if appropriate. Its not known to interfere with the safety and efficacy of Stelara.
Other drugs with Stelara for Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis
For Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis, the following medications may be used with Stelara if appropriate:
- 6-mercaptopurine
- azathioprine
- methotrexate
These medications dont affect the safety and effectiveness of Stelara. Also, if needed, your doctor may recommend that you use corticosteroids together with Stelara.
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How To Use Stelara
You should use Stelara according to your doctor or healthcare professionals instructions.
Stelara is given as a subcutaneous injection. Your healthcare professional will give you your first dose. They may also show you how to self-inject the drug at home for your future doses.
If you are taking Stelara to treat Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis, your first dose will be given as an intravenous infusion . This infusion usually lasts at least 1 hour. Youll get the infusion in a healthcare office or clinic. The rest of your doses will be given as subcutaneous injections, which can be given by either your healthcare professional or yourself.
The manufacturer of Stelara provides step-by-step instructions for self-injections. They also provide instructional videos that review how to use Stelara.
How Should I Use This Medication
To treat adults with either plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, the usual dose is 45 mg injected under the skin. The dose is repeated in 4 weeks, and then every 12 weeks thereafter. For people who weigh more than 100 kg, a dose of 90 mg may be used. When treating plaque psoriasis, some people may need to receive this medication every 8 weeks. The dose may be injected on top of the thigh or around the abdomen .
For treating children andadolescents 6 to 17 years of age withplaque psoriasis, the dose is based on body weight.
For the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the first dose is given as an intravenous infusion and the dose is based on body weight. The dose is repeated as an injection under the skin 8 weeks after the first dose. The usual maintenance dose is 90 mg every 8 weeks. Under certain conditions, your doctor may decrease the frequency of your injections to once every 12 weeks.
Most people using this medication can be trained by a health care professional to give themselves the injection. Ustekinumab is used with the guidance and supervision of a doctor. Your doctor or nurse will assist you in the preparation and injection of your first dose . Do not attempt to inject this medication on your own until you completely understand how to inject a dose.
Use a different site for each injection to decrease the risk of skin irritation. Dispose of your used needles in an appropriate sharps container.
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How To Take Stelara
Use Stelara exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Before you start treatment with ustekinumab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. You must remain under the care of a doctor while you are receiving ustekinumab.
Ustekinumab is injected under the skin, or as an infusion into a vein, usually once every 12 weeks. Your first and second dose may be only 4 weeks apart.
A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Do not use ustekinumab if you don’t understand all instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.
Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject ustekinumab. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row. Avoid injecting the medicine into skin that is red, bruised, swollen, or tender.
You will need frequent medical tests.
What To Ask Your Doctor
Stelara is an effective treatment for certain autoimmune conditions. If youre considering it as a treatment option, its helpful to learn about the side effects it might cause.
If you have questions about your risk of side effects from Stelara, talk with your doctor. Here are a few questions you could ask them:
- Is there a higher risk of side effects with my first Stelara infusion?
- How can I reduce my risk of side effects during treatment?
- What should I do if I become pregnant while Im receiving Stelara?
- If I experience side effects from Stelara, can my dose be changed?
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What Drugs And Food Should I Avoid While Taking Stelara
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a “live” vaccine while using ustekinumab, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella , rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella , zoster , and nasal flu vaccine.
BCG vaccine should not be given for at least 1 year after you receive your last dose of ustekinumab.
Non-live vaccines may not work as well during your treatment, and may not fully protect you from disease. Make sure you are current on all vaccines before you begin treatment with ustekinumab.
Ustekinumab Injection May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:
- headache
- runny, stuffed nose, or sneezing
- tiredness
- redness or irritation at the injection site
- nausea
- swelling of the face, eyelids, tongue, or throat
- difficulty breathing
- tightness in the chest or throat
Ustekinumab injection may increase the risk that you will develop cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication.
Ustekinumab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
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