Stelara for Psoriasis

Ustekinumab (Brand name: Stelara) a human monoclonal antibody which blocks the p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23 is the new biologics approved for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Stelara is new biologics for psoriasis indicated for those who fail to respond to other systemic therapies including methotrexate, cyclosporine and PUVA.

Stelara is administered subcutaneously. The current recommended dose for patients weighing less then 100 kg is 45mg initially, 45 mg 4 weeks later then 45 mg every 12 weeks. For patients weighing more then 100 kg, the dose is 90 mg initially, 90 mg after 4 weeks then 90 mg every 12 weeks. Details study on drug interaction and safety during pregnancy or nursing mother have not been evaluated. Ustekinumab is not recommended for children below 18 years of age.

Stelara is a medicine that affects your immune system. Stelara can increase your chances of having serious side effects. It may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infection and may increase risk of serious infection including tuberculosis, Herpes zoster and other infections caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. Before initiating the therapy talk to your doctor about previous infection. If there is any risk of infection, it should be treated prior to Stelara treatment. Anti Herpes Zoster vaccination may be consider before starting therapy.

Before starting Stelara talk to your doctor about your past or current medical condition like:

• Fever or chills
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Muscle ache
• Weight Loss
• Red or painful sore in your body
• Stomach pain or diarrhea
• Burning micturation
• If you are prone to infection
• Have history of TB
• Restless or tiredness

Side effects of Stelara
Stelara may increase the risk of infection and may also reactivate latent infection. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms stated below after starting the therapy. Below are some of the short term and long term side effects of Stelara.

• Headache
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Vision problems
• Allergic reactions
• Cellulitis
• Diverticulitis
• Osteomyelitis
• Erysipelas
• Herpes zoster
• Gastroenteritis
• Pneumonia
• Urinary tract infections
• Cutaneous and non cutaneous malignancies

Stelara is not indicated in pregnancy or breast feeding mother. So if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant or you are breast feeding mother, talk to your doctor about it. Your doctor will decide it. You should not receive any live vaccines if you are under treatment with Stelara, talk to your doctor about vaccination. If you are taking any medicine tell your doctor about the medications, especially if you are under any medications that affect your immune system.

These may not be all possible risk factors or side effects, so talk to your doctor in detail about current and new possible long term side effects.

If you have any question regarding Stelara (Ustekinumab), feel free to ask us at our psoriasis forum.

For more details about Stelara visit: http://www.stelarainfo.com/