What is Cosentyx?

Cosentyx (secukinumab) is a biologic, immunosuppressant prescription medicine used to treat a variety of conditions. These conditions include people with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) two years of age or older, active enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) in people four years of age or older, the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in people six years of age or older, adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation), and adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Patients using Cosentyx for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis may also be prescribed pills or injections (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment with UV light by itself or with systemic therapy). Cosentyx is manufactured by Novartis.

How does Cosentyx work?

Cosentyx is an interleukin-17A antagonist that belongs to the group of medicines known as interleukin (IL) inhibitors. It is a monoclonal antibody that works by blocking the effects of the IL-17A protein. These proteins exist at high levels if you have an autoimmune disease. By blocking this protein’s activity, it reduces pain, inflammation, swelling, and any skin symptoms you may have.

What doses of Cosentyx are available?

Cosentyx comes as an injection in a few different forms and different mg doses. See the following for adult patients:

300 mg/2 mL solution in a single-dose UnoReady® pen
300 mg/2 mL solution in a single-dose prefilled syringe
150 mg/mL solution in a single-dose Sensoready® pen
150 mg/mL solution in a single-dose prefilled syringe

For pediatric patients:

For 75 mg/0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe

How do you use Cosentyx?

Follow all directions given by your doctor, including prescribing information, FDA-approved product labeling, and Medication Guide. The recommended dose of Cosentyx that you get will depend on the condition Cosentyx is treating, your body weight, your age, and other variable conditions. Your rheumatology team will decide what is best for you.

Once you have the correct dosage, your healthcare provider will decide if you should inject Cosentyx at home. Do not try to inject Cosentyx at home before it has been approved by your healthcare provider. If an at-home injection is approved, you and your caregiver will receive the proper training. Children should not inject Cosentyx themselves.

Do not touch the Cosentyx needle cap on the prefilled syringes or the Sensoready pen if you are sensitive to latex. Cosentyx is given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) in either your upper leg, abdomen (stomach), or arm by you or a caregiver. Do not inject within 2 inches of your belly button. You should change your injection site each time and avoid any area of skin that has become tender, bruised, hard or red.

Often, you will start with a specific loading dose, and your healthcare professional will change your dose throughout your treatment depending on a variety of factors.

Cosentyx may be administered with or without methotrexate.

What are the side effects of Cosentyx?

The most common side effects of Cosentyx in clinical trials compared to placebo include:

Cold symptoms
Diarrhea
Upper respiratory tract infections

Rarely, Cosentyx may cause some serious side effects, including:

Serious infections
- Your immune system is compromised when taking Cosentyx; therefore the risk of infection is high.
- Discontinue Cosentyx if serious infections occur.
- Call your doctor immediately if you have any signs of infection. This could include:
  - Fever, chills, or sweats
  - Muscle aches
  - Coughing up blood
  - Weight loss
  - Shortness of breath
Inflammatory bowel disease.
- Inflammatory bowel disease can sometimes be serious.
- Let your healthcare provider know if you have worsening or develop new symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.
  - This is especially important if you already have an inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

Serious skin reaction that looks like eczema. Let your healthcare provider know as soon as you can if you experience any of the following:
- Redness or rash
- Skin peeling
- Itching
- Blisters
- Small bumps or patches
Serious allergic reactions. Go to the nearest emergency room if a serious allergic reaction occurs. Do not take another injection of Cosentyx if you experience any demonstration of a serious allergic reaction, including:
- Feel faint
- Skin rash
- Trouble breathing or throat tightness
- Chest tightness
- Hives

Contact your doctor or healthcare professional for medical advice about any possible adverse effects you experience while taking Cosentyx. You can report your adverse effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Cosentyx drug interactions

When Cosentyx is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Some drug interactions with Cosentyx include:

Any medication that is considered a CYP450 substrate (including IL-6, IL-1, IL-10, IFN, and TNFα).
- Consider stopping or altering dosage as needed.

Cosentyx precautions

You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

An ongoing infection.
- Do not use Cosentyx if you currently have an infection unless instructed by your healthcare professional.
An infection that does not go away or keeps coming back. Symptoms of an infection could include:
- Fever, sweats, chills
- Weight loss
- Muscle aches, shortness of breath, blood in your phlegm, cough
- Painful sores on your body
- Stomach pain or burning when you urinate
Tuberculosis (TB) or have been in close contact with someone who has TB.
Recently had a live vaccine or plan to have one.
- All live vaccines should be taken before beginning Cosentyx. Your doctor may suggest that you avoid people who have recently had a live vaccine while under Cosentyx treatment.
A pregnancy, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
- It is unknown whether Cosentyx passes through breast milk. Speak to your healthcare provider about what steps are best for you.

Is there a generic available for Cosentyx?

No, currently there is no generic available for Cosentyx in the US.

How do you store Cosentyx?

Keep Cosentyx in the refrigerator (36°F - 46°F or 2°C - 8°C) in its original carton and away from sunlight. Once you remove it from the fridge, write the removal date and when you put it back in the refrigerator on the packaging it comes in.

Cosentyx can be stored for up to four days at room temperature that does not exceed 86°F (30°C). Discard Cosentyx after four days out of the refrigerator. You can put it back in the refrigerator once after it has been removed.