Stelara for Psoriasis; Side Effects
Stelara, generic ustekinumab, is a new biologic treatment for psoriasis. It has shown excellent ability in studies to reduce the area and severity of psoriasis plaques and needs to be given only 5 times per year. Additionally, Stelara seems to have low incidence of side effects.
In contrast, the current biologic treatment for psoriasis need to be given much more often, may have more significant side effects, and many are not as effective.
Chemically, Stelara is a fully human monoclonal antibody to interleukin-12 and 23. This means that it acts much like a heat-seeking missile that knocks out your body’s natural level of interleukin (IL)-12 and 23.
This is important as those are two messengers which seem to be heavily involved in generating the abnormal immune response which characterizes psoriasis.
Concerns
Stelara may somehow disrupt the natural balance of the body’s immune system. This arises from the fact that interleukins are used by the body to control its immune response. By targeting IL12 and 23, Stelara could weaken the body’s immune system and increase susceptibility to infection or cancer.
Other concerns include the possibility of an immune response against Stelara or the potential for cardiac issue.
Studies to date, however, have supported Stelara as a safe and effective treatment.
Efficacy
Studies have shown that Stelara is a very effective treatment for psoriasis.
Using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) to measure response, roughly 90% of those treated with Stelara have at least a 50% decrease in their PASI score. And about 70% of those taking Stelara will have a 75% PASI score decrease.
In one study, about 71% of those on Stelera had a 75% decrease in PASI compared to only 57% of those on Enbrel, a popular treatment.
Other scales of psoriasis severity also show significant improvements.
Can Stelara Cause Cancer?
One analysis, which we could not obtain a full copy of, argues that IL12 & 23 inhibitors have in fact been shown to cause cancer in certain animal models. The piece does not mention at what doses or animal the cancer was shown to occur in.
Even if this is true, however, it is very important to note that there are significant differences between humans and animals. Some substances do cause cancer in animals but are harmless in humans. Additionally, almost anything at a high enough dose will cause toxicity to the body, including potentially cancer.
The studies to date have not supported a significant risk of cancer from Stelara, with the ones we looked at showing similar rates of cancer in those treated with it and those given placebo.
Side Effects
In studies, Stelara had similar rates of side effects as placebo, albeit slightly higher.
In one study, a few patients on Sterala had heart related incidents that required hospitalization, and two had some sort of serious infection. Other, larger studies have not shown similar issues, however.
If you have signs of an allergic reaction like difficulty breathing or facial swelling, make sure to get emergency help.
Because it is theoretically possible for Stelara to compromise your immune system, any abnormal infection or reaction should be reported to your doctor.
Most common side effects include headaches, arthralgia, or join pain, and local reactions near the injection site.
Note
Sterala is a biologic, which means it is significantly more complicated than traditional medications. Roughly 30% of new biologics have some serious adverse event that only is noticed after they are on the market for some time.
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I am contemplating treatment of psoriasis using Stelera. Can you tell me how long this drug has been on the market and in use for the treatment of psoriasis please?
Thank you . . . . . . . Mr Croy
suffered for years with ointments and light treatments. sever coverage went to almost zero. Regardless of the risks, I have my life back..
How are the results from Stelara different from the drug results of Humira? Just how do they compare? My 34 year old son has plaque psoriasis and is considering Stelara. Please let me know. Thank-you,
Gloria Jenness
No side effects other than a slight cold after the injection
expected with imune system down after the shot. Stelae once
every 3 months a nice advantage over humerus
my daughter is starting treatment using the stelara injection. Her life up intil now has been constant creaming and trying other medications such as humira, entenecept and methotraxate. Judging by response online here I can only hope this new drug helps, and like the person above she gets her life back.
I have used Stelara for 6 months and I had only cold and tiredness in the first few days. I have had minor fungal infection in my groin and toes. No other side effects so far .However, I do not know if there will be any long term side effects.
My psoriasis have cleared and almost zero. I have tried creams, PUVA, Mtx, enbrel and Raptiva (withdrawn biologics) but none of them have been as effective as this.
humira is better…longer in the market and the efficacy is the same…twice a month isn’t so bad
Humira: longer safety profile and high efficacy and twice a month…Stelara: safety still new on market and high efficacy and once every couple of months…i think it could go either way
I tried Stelara for 9 mos and had absolutely no response. It did absolutely nothing for me. I have heard from my dr that I am the only person he treats that did not see significant results! I am currently using Humira and the results have been fantastic! My psoriasis cleared up almost completely after the initial dose and I am thrilled with the results. While I enjoyed the every 3 month injections of Stelara, I am far more impressed with the current results even if it means dosing every 2 weeks!
Ive been on Stelara for the last 7 months.After many years of sheer agony with Psoriasis,i am now totally clear of any sign of Psoriasis at all.I had a PASI rating of 93 % my PASI is now 0. Thank you the inventors of Stelara….i owe you a beer !! Its nice to have a life back. Dave.Victoria.Australia.
I just started using medthotrexate for my psoriasis and i was just wondering about sterala what should i do should i keep using methotrexate or try using sterala i just want to know what is going be the best for me.
i goin to start stelara in the next couple of weeks been on humira for 2 years now no good results hopefully this will be a mircle cure for me you guys re givin me hope, i hope they are not let down please pray it will work
I just started using Stelara and the only side effect i have is flatulence and diarreah otherwise its working well on my psoriasis almost completely gone I am curious if anyone else has the same side effects im having
Are all of you that use Stelara rich or its cove rd by ins? I am suffering 18 years on postural Psoriasis good time and bad to very very bad times my Doctor wants me to change now to Stelara however the cost is sky high so i wonder how everybody dose it
I started Stelara a month ago and I am thrilled with the results! I have had no side effects at all and my skin is clearing already. I have been suffering with psoraisis for years and have tried creams, Humira, light treatments, etc. Stelara is giving me back the life I once had….the one where people don’t stop and stare and ask “Oh my! What happened to you?” I’ve been waiting for this for a very long time and I am thankful that my insurance covers it with a nominal co-pay.
is it safe for a somebody under 18 to use this treatment.
rebecca, stelara.com has a prescription savings program that you can sign up for
Braulio – I’m not sure what the age limits are but you can check with your physician.
I’ve had psoriasis since I was 16, now 46 I have tried all kinds of creams, ointments, lotions, foams. I’ve tried raptiva, and have been dosing with embrel for 2 1/2 years. I have been off everything for this past year as I lost my insurance. I am luckier than most because my psoriasis can be covered with my clothes. Also have it bad on my scalp and in my ears, but my hair usually covers most of this also. Recently, I have gotten a couple of patches on my forehead just above my eyebrows, but it’s not so bad their yet. Tomorrow I begin my first shot of Stelara, I am excited and hope that it works wonders for me. I have United Healthcare, teamed with Walgreens Speciality. They are covering most costs for first year. first three injections I just pay my dr office co-pay of 45.00. injections 4 – 6 office visit plus 50.00 for Stelara. Then the next year goes to regular co-pays office visit plus 125.00 per injection.
So as you can tell there is help out there. Just keep checking, and good luck to all of you! He
Let’s hope this one works for me :-)
I have psoratic arthritis and have been taking remicade and methotrexate (since June 2010) and until recently, prednisone.
I have been experiencing fatigue, swelling in my feet and ankles and muscle aches. I don’t think the remicade infusions have helped my arthritis and IF the metho and remicade or causing the muscle aches I will discuss with my doctor and possible ditch both for stelara. My psorasis isn’t so bad since it is on my legs but when I stopped taking methotrexate for a while last year, all hell broke loose and for the first time in my life, it came roaring back with a vengence.
All this just FYI for others with similiar symptoms. Really don’t know where I will go from here.
Can someone tell me the retail price of the medication? I’m a pharmacist outside of the U.S. and am curious as to the comparison between our countries
My brother has been taking Stelara and has had wonderful results but now they tell him no more shots til he tested for TB. has anyone else been told that?
I have suffered with psoriasis for 18 years! I have tried other medicines, similiar to Stelara, for over four years with no results. Just a few months of taking Stelara, I am 100% clear. It is amazing!
Jane-I have to be tested yearly for TB. It just goes along with taking these types of medicines. I am pretty sure it is because it lowers your immune system.
I have had psoriasis for 18 years and psoriatic arthritis for 5 years. I have tried every remedy there is. When these new biologics were made available it was a huge blessing. I had psoriasis on 90% of my body when I started Humira and within 3 weeks I only had it on about 30% of my body. After 3 months I was free of psoriasis. After around 8 months it came back and was on about 60% of my body so i switched to Enbrel which cleared me to about 25% slowly over the past year and a half I now have psoriasis on about 50% of my body again. Now I am trying Stelara so wish me luck! I don’t believe we will ever be cured of this disorder but it is so nice to have a good quality of life. It is so nice to wear t-shirts and shorts without all the looks! I pray for everyone living with psoriasis every night!
Bill – Good luck!! Stelara has changed my life! I had also been on Humira, light treatments, topicals, etc but never had results like I have with Stelara.
Has anyone had hair loss with Stelara? Been on Humira and my hair is so thin. I am not sure what’s worse- psoriasis or going bald!!!!
I haven’t experienced any issues with hair loss.
66 years old. Psoriais since age 5. Have done tars and steroids. After 20 years of PUVA, got squamus cell skin cancer (diet of a thousand cuts!). Ended that course of treatment. Tried accutane and it’s still in my fat cells. On to methotrexate…tea-total for 8 months. Enbrel worked for 2 years and then stopped being effective. Rheumatologist put me on Remicade for 2 1/2 year…2 1/2 hour intravenous infusion every 8 weeks. Now on Stelara. A single injection every 12 weeks. What an incredible drug for me! No plaque…No advancement of my psoriatic arthritis. Hope you at works for you as well as Stelara works for me. I trust my derm. You need one you can trust! Forget pharmaceutical ads.
STARTING STELARA TODAY; 1ST SHOT. SUFFERED WITH P FOR MANY YEARS; TRIED ALMOST EVERYTHING FOR IT. PLEASE SAY A WORD OF PRAYER FOR ME THAT THIS MED WILL WORK FOR ME, WITH NO SIDE EFFECTS. I’LL BE PRAYING EVERYBODY FINDS A CURE AS WELL. GOOD-LUCK ALL.
Belinda – I pray you Stelara works as well for you as it has for me. Everyone who sees me is amazed at how clear my skin is now. Truly a miracle drug!
I took my first shot of Stelara in July and the 2nd shot in August. I have been so sleepy and tired I can hardly make it. All I want to do is sleep. It has helped clear the plaque psoriasis on my scalp and that is good. I don’t know if is worth feeling so sleepy that I don’t want to do anything or not.
I’m 33 years old, and I’ve suffered with Psoriasis for 19 years, and Psoriatic Arthritis for 17 years. I’ve tried every thing you can imagine, from ointments, to tar baths, light treatments, PUVA, enbrel, remicade, methotrexate, humira, humira & methtrexate, back to enbrel, etc. Out of the ones I listed the humira & methotrexate combination worked really well for a long time. However, my immune system was suppressed after taking them so long. So when I came down with MRSA – I was taken off both. Once I had the MRSA under control (which took months of no meds), I refused to get back on that same combination. My doctor asked me which mattered the most – the psoriasis or arthritis – and as vain as this may sound – I chose the Psoriasis. You have to understand – we have extremely hot summers where I live and wearing jeans & long sleeves would be like a death sentence. Anyhow, my rhuematologist referred me to my dermatologist. He opted to put me on stelara, and omg! After the first injection – it literally cleared it up enough within a matter of days I was wearing shorts. I can proudly get pedicures without feeling like a freak! It’s life changing!! I had my 2nd injection on Monday, and I’m anxious to see how long it’ll last. Now, for me – the only downfall is for those of us who suffer from PA. Since I’ve been on Stelera my joint pain seems to be worse. It could be just a coincidence since we’re experiencing a slight change in weather, but I treat my PA with anti-inflammatory meds., etc. Still, having my psoriasis cleared up after one injection – I’m sold!!! In my book – this is the miracle drug I’ve been waiting for!!
I have been on Stelara for almost a year and I am so happy with the results I have suffered for many years adn tried nurmerous treatments. My shins were completely covered and I could never wear skirts and I live in a very warm climate and after one year it has completly cleared up my psoriasis. I couldn’t be happier !
Dominique (below, I think) said she was using methyltrexate in her Feb. 2011 posting. I was on that about 40 years ago and it worked beautifully and unbelievably fast. I mean — I was covered with psoriasis head to foot and it was GONE in a matter of 4 or 5 days! But then, it was banned in the U.S. (I was told) because it causes some cancer of some sort. I do remember having to have a blood test before any dose could be administered. Evidently, it killed red (or white) blood cells along witht he psoriasis…and so it got banned. The name Dominque is, of course, foreign — maybe French– and I wonder if she’s been warned of the dangers of methyltrexate. Or perhaps there is no danger at all. Now I’m really curious and would like to hear from someone on this subject. Since I moved to a year around warm climate, psoriasis has been minimal; but recently, I have gotten an outbreak on my face ! Never had it there before. Topicals are just so-so. I’m seeing a doctor tomorrow about Stelara, Methyltrexate, humerus, etc. and then I’ll post again.
I misspelled Meth… it is methotrexate, not methyltrexate.
I have had psoriais 43 years on my left leg.It started spreading to my right about 3 years ago.I have used creams ointment every pill.Then humira it worked for 2 years.Now Stelara so far it is great.I have had headaches and my arthritis seems to be worse.But if I had to choose between pain and psoriais pain.About hair lose yes but I started taking 5000mg biotin cap.Use good shampoo not the cheap brands.I shower with oil of Olay body wash for dry skin and the same lotion put it on after you shower ereryday.Also I use a loaf glove gentle over my body as I shower.Make sure you wash the glove in hot water after each use.Good luck.
Hello to all who lives with psoriasis and arthritis. I am a 28 old male that suffered frombut a rebound from steroid creams about a year ago. I recently took Humira and cleared my body (about 65%) in 2 to 3 months. After 5 months of treatment, I lost my insurance and was off the medication for 1 1/2 months. I continued with another 3 month treatment it did nothing. I stopped and now I am (75%) covered but my face is almost completely covered.
I questioned other biologic medicines because of their side effects. However, I was informed by my dermatologist that stopping any medicine will produce a rebound effect. So, you must gradually come off it.
Does that sound correct to anybody’s experience with any psoriasis medication. Also, is there anyone who has been taking Stelara from it’s beginning have any side effects. Just wondering how a person’s genes and age may help or hurt one’s chances when it comes to the serious side effects.
Finally, has anyone heard about the Dead Sea or ever tried the clinics over there? I cannot find too many articles or blogs about personal experiences with the Dead Sea.
Thanks and God Bless To All!
My father is taking Stelara for his psoriasis. He is now in the hospital due to the medication. The doctors thought he had bone cancer but they now think it is lukemia caused from the stelara drug. The drug did great with getting rid of the psoriasis though.
OMG, I just got the information from this webiste today, I am a 28 year girl, suffered from the damn psoriasis for 16 years,,,, I am in melbourne, does anyway can tell me which hospital need to go to obtain the treatment, I am too excited to read the information