Secukinumab

Secukinumab is used to treat inflammatory types of arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Secukinumab is used when there has been an inadequate response to DMARD therapy.  For PsA secukinumab may be used alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX).

Secukinumab is given by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection (meaning in the fatty layer of tissue just under the skin). You, a family member or a friend can be taught how to give the injection.

The recommended dose is 150 mg by s.c. injection weekly for the first 5 weeks. Followed by maintenance injections every 4 weeks.

Secukinumab comes in a single prefilled syringe or a SensoReady® pen.  Each syringe or pen contains 150 mg of secukinumab.

In some people with arthritis, a signalling protein called interleukin-17 (IL-17) is involved in the body’s inflammatory response where it attacks the body’s own tissues. Secukinumab works by suppressing the body’s immune system, specifically it blocks IL-17 and prevents it from causing inflammation. By doing this, secukinumab can help to reduce pain and swelling in the joints, improve day-to-day function, and prevent long term damage to the joints.

Like all of the biologics, you will not feel the effects of secukinumab right away. Some people begin to feel the effects of secukinumab within a few weeks; however, it may take three to six months to feel the full effect. It is important to be patient and keep taking your medication.

To provide symptom relief while you are waiting for secukinumab to take effect, your healthcare provider may recommend taking a steroid, such as prednisone or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Secukinumab can make it more difficult for your body to fight infections. People with active infections should not take secukinumab. If you have a fever, think you have an infection or have been prescribed an antibiotic, contact your healthcare provider. People who have had frequent infections in the past or a history of tuberculosis should discuss the use of secukinumab with their prescriber.  

Also contact your healthcare provider if you are having surgery as you may need to stop secukinumab until you are healed and there is no sign of infection.

Secukinumab has not been studied in pregnant people or lactating parents so its effect(s) on pregnant people or nursing babies are unknown. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made on whether or not to discontinue nursing or the medication, taking into account the importance of the drug to the lactating parent.

Anyone who has had a previous allergic reaction to secukinumab should avoid the medication. The removable cap of the prefilled syringes and pens contains a derivative of latex. Caution is advised if you have a latex allergy.

Before starting secukinumab, tell your healthcare provider if you have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis). Secukinumab can cause new onset or flares of inflammatory bowel disease. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop diarrhea while taking secukinumab.

You will also require a test for inactive (“latent”) tuberculosis (TB) because secukinumab can dampen the immune system and cause TB to become active.

Ideally, your vaccinations should be up to date prior to starting secukinumab. If you have already started therapy with secukinumab, your healthcare provider will likely recommend most inactive vaccines (e.g., influenza, pneumococcal). Live vaccines are not recommended due to risk of causing infection. Before receiving any vaccinations while taking secukinumab, you should speak with your healthcare provider.

Like all medications, taking secukinumab carries some risk of side effects, which must be balanced with the potential benefits. In general, the risk of joint damage and permanent disability (resulting from arthritis) is much greater than the risks of side effects from secukinumab. When monitored properly the vast majority of side effects are rare, most improve over time and are reversible.

Secukinumab can increase your risk of infections. The most commonly reported side effect with secukinumab is symptoms of a cold (sore throat, stuffy nose).   You should take precautions to minimize your risk of being infected by common contagious infections such as COVID-19, influenzae, pneumonia, and the common cold.

People have also commonly reported experiencing cold sores, diarrhea, itchy rash and runny nose. Talk to your healthcare provider if any of these symptoms affect you severely.

Secukinumab can rarely cause a reaction (redness, pain, and itching) at the injection site. Talk to your healthcare provider if these symptoms become severe.

Take your secukinumab as prescribed and contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns while taking the medication.

To avoid injection reactions, injection sites should be rotated and avoid areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red and/or hard.

Blood tests are not routinely required while you are taking secukinumab. Your healthcare provider may order periodic blood tests to check your blood count and follow the activity of your arthritis.

Secukinumab must be refrigerated at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and protected from light. Keep the product in the original package and out of the light.

Secukinumab must be kept cool while travelling. Ask your pharmacist for a cool carrier if you are not able to put the drug in your refrigerator right away.

For the pre-filled syringe and SensoReady pen only: Do not freeze. If necessary, the pre-filled syringe and the SensoReady pen may be stored unrefrigerated for a single period of up to 4 days at room temperature, not above 30°C. Discard the pre-filled syringe or SensoReady pen after 4 days if left unrefrigerated and return to the pharmacy for disposal.

The patient support program for Cosentyx is called “XPose”. Their phone number is 1-844-279-7673.