Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment | COSENTYX® (secukinumab) (2024)

FAQs

Is secukinumab approved for psoriatic arthritis? ›

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an intravenous (IV) formulation of secukinumab (Cosentyx) for the treatment of adults with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA).

COSENTYX can start working in as little as 3 weeks for psoriatic arthritis symptoms. Up to 60% of patients in a clinical trial saw at least a 20% improvement in psoriatic arthritis symptoms at 16 weeks versus 18% of patients taking placebo.

Secukinumab showed an overall 12-months persistence rate of 70% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 63–77%) and a 24-months persistence rate of 58% (95% CI, 51–66%). Patients receiving first-line secukinumab had the highest 24-months persistence rate (p = 0.05).

For people with psoriasis, Humira is only approved for adults but Cosentyx may be used in adults and children (age range varies depending on the condition being treated). No differences in effectiveness were found in a head-to-head trial comparing Cosentyx to Humira for psoriatic arthritis.

These drugs can slow the progression of psoriatic arthritis and save joints and other tissues from permanent damage. The most commonly used disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) is methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup, others). Others include leflunomide (Arava) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).

The list (or wholesale) price for COSENTYX, as of January 2024 is $7,408.96 a month for either a 150-mg or a 300-mg dose strength self-injection package and $4,230 per intravenous infusion. The list price may not reflect the price paid by patients; most patients with prescription coverage will pay less.

For most people with active PsA, TNF inhibitors are the first line of treatment recommended by the American College of Rheumatology and National Psoriasis Foundation. The FDA has approved the following TNF inhibitors for treating PsA: adalimumab (Humira) certolizumab pegol (Cimzia)

People generally stay on a biologic for as long as it's effective. It's likely safe to use a biologic for an extended period of time.

Self-Injection

Taking COSENTYX once a month for your psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with no routine lab monitoring during treatment,^† helps you have fewer interruptions in your daily routine and can help provide real relief from multiple symptoms of PsA.

Secukinumab does not cause weight gain. There is no proof that this drug increases belly fat. However, there can be weight loss in some cases because of some of the side effects, such as diarrhoea or infections.

How quickly does secukinumab work? ›

Secukinumab works by blocking the effects of this protein, to reduce inflammation and the problems it can cause, such as joint pain and stiffness. It's a long-term treatment. Depending on your condition, it may take between three weeks and a year of taking secukinumab before you start to see the benefits.

Adverse Effects

The most common adverse drug reactions with secukinumab are nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and diarrhea(>1%). Other adverse effects have been reported. [1][4][14] These include: Inflammatory bowel disease and exacerbation of Crohns disease.

While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not made any specific warnings for people on immunosuppressant therapies as they relate to COVID-19, COSENTYX is an immunosuppressant and may contribute to a higher risk of infections because of its suppressive effect on the immune system.

It treats the multiple symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), like joint pain and tenderness^† and back pain. It also helps clear skin, and helps stop further joint damage.

The recommended dosage in adults with PsA: With a loading dosage is 150 mg at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 and every 4 weeks thereafter. Without a loading dosage is 150 mg every 4 weeks. ​If a patient continues to have active PsA, consider increasing the dosage to 300 mg by subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks.

Oral Otezla (apremilast) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Although point estimates favoured guselkumab Q8W over secukinumab 300 mg, only guselkumab Q4W was better than secukinumab 300 mg. In the Song and Lee NMA, both doses of guselkumab and secukinumab were comparable for SAEs, consistent with our findings [27].

The TNF inhibitors approved by the FDA are infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, golimumab, and certrolizumab.

Basel, June 27, 2022 — Novartis today announced the European Commission (EC) has approved Cosentyx^® (secukinumab), used alone or in combination with methotrexate, in the juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) categories of enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) and juvenile psoriatic arthritis (JPsA) in patients 6 years and ...