Ustekinumab is used to treat inflammatory types of arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA), by blocking inflammatory proteins interleukin-12 and 23 (IL-12, IL-23). It can help suppress an overactive immune system, but can also increase your risk for certain infections. There are biosimilar versions of ustekinumab, which are highly similar versions of the drug which have the same clinical efficacy and safety compared with the originator biologic drug.
Ustekinumab is used to treat inflammatory types of arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Ustekinumab is used when there has been an inadequate response to DMARD therapy. For psoriatic arthritis ustekinumab may be used alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX).
The recommended dose is 45 mg by s.c. injection at week 0 and at week 4, then every 12 weeks thereafter. For people with a body weight greater than 100 kg a dose of 90 mg may be used.
Ustekinumab comes in single prefilled syringes for the 45 mg dose and 90 mg doses. Single-use vials are not available in Canada.
In some people with arthritis, signalling proteins called interleukin 12 (IL-12) and Interleukin-23 (IL-23) are involved in the body’s inflammatory response where it attacks the body’s own tissues. Ustekinumab works by suppressing the body’s immune system, specifically it blocks IL-12 and IL-23 and prevents them from causing inflammation. By doing this, ustekinumab 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 ustekinumab right away. Some people begin to feel the effects of ustekinumab 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 ustekinumab to take effect, your healthcare provider may recommend taking a steroid, such as prednisone or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Ustekinumab can make it more difficult for your body to fight infections. People with active infections should not take ustekinumab. 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 ustekinumab with their prescriber.
Also contact your healthcare provider if you are having surgery as you may need to stop ustekinumab until you are healed and there is no sign of infection.
Ustekinumab 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 ustekinumab should avoid the medication.
Anyone with a history of cancer or active cancer should discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking ustekinumab. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any unusual changes to your skin or health status while taking ustekinumab.
Before starting this medication, you will likely be tested for inactive (“latent”) tuberculosis (TB) B because secukinumab can dampen the immune system and cause TB to become active.
Ideally, your vaccinations should be up to date prior to starting ustekinumab. If you have already started therapy with ustekinumab, 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 ustekinumab, you should speak with your healthcare provider.
Like all medications, taking ustekinumab 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 ustekinumab. When monitored properly the vast majority of side effects are rare, most improve over time and are reversible.
Ustekinumab can increase your risk of infections. The most commonly reported side effect with ustekinumab 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 headaches. Talk to your healthcare provider if any of these symptoms affect you severely.
Ustekinumab can rarely cause a reaction (redness, pain, and itching) at the injection site. Talk to your healthcare provider if these symptoms become severe.
Rarely people have noticed changes to their skin and increased redness and shedding of the skin. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice these symptoms.
Ustekinumab 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.
Ustekinumab 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.
Contributors
This information was last updated in June 2024 with expert review and advice by:
Alan Low, BSc(Pharm), PharmD, ACPR, FCSHP, CCD, RPh
Clinical Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia
Pharmacy Lead and Primary Care Pharmacist, BioPro Biologics Pharmacy
Care Director, MedInfuse Health
Garrett Tang, PharmD, RPh
Pharmacist Services Coordinator, MedInfuse Health
We also thank previous expert contributor:
Jason Kielly, BSc(Pharm), PharmD
Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Clinical Pharmacist, Rheumatic Health Program, Eastern Health
