Type of medicine: immunosuppressant; monoclonal antibody; antipsoriatic
Generic and brand names: ustekinumab, injection; Stelara
This medicine is given by injection (shots) to treat moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis (scaly patches on the skin).
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you:
You should NOT receive any live vaccines while taking this medicine. You should not receive the BCG vaccine during the 1 year before taking this medicine or for 1 year after your stop taking this medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if anyone in your house needs a vaccine while you are taking this medicine.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. T Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide before you start treatment with this medicine and each time you get an injection.
The injections are given by your healthcare provider. You will receive the first shot, then a second shot 4 weeks later. After that you will receive a shot every 12 weeks.
If you miss your regular dose of this medicine, call your healthcare provider right away.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
Long-term use of this medicine may increase your risk of cancer. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections.
Do not have any vaccines such as for flu, pneumonia, or measles, without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
This medicine may cause a rare condition called RPLS. RPLS affects the brain and can be life-threatening. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening confusion, vision problems, headache, or seizures.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain; unexplained fever, sore throat, chills, or cough; shortness of breath; severe tiredness; muscle or joint pain; unexplained weight loss; coughing up blood; unusual bruising or bleeding; severe diarrhea or abdominal pain; burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal; skin growths or worsening of psoriasis; sores that don't heal; new or worsening headache; seizures; confusion; vision problems.
Other: Dizziness, headache, irritation at the injection site, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, tiredness.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Tell your healthcare provider if you need to receive any vaccines BEFORE you start treatment with this medicine. Do not receive any vaccines while using this medicine without your healthcare provider’s approval. You should NOT receive any live vaccines while taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.