Secukinumab Injection
Secukinumab injection is used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (a skin disease in which red, scaly patches form on some areas of the body) in adults whose psoriasis is too severe to be treated by topical medications alone. It is also used in adults to treat psoriatic arthritis (a condition that causes joint pain and swelling and scales on the skin). Secukinumab injection is used in adults to treat ankylosing spondylitis (a condition in which the body attacks the joints of the spine and other areas, causing pain, swelling, and joint damage). It is also used in adults to treat active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (a condition in which the body attacks the joints of the spine and other areas, causing pain and signs of swelling, but without changes seen on x-ray). Secukinumab is also used in the treatment of enthesitis-related arthritis in children 4 years of age and older. Secukinumab injection is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by stopping the action of certain cells in the body that cause the symptoms of psoriasis.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Secukinumab injection comes as a prefilled syringe, a dosing pen, and as a powder to be mixed with liquid and injected subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually injected once every wee k for the first 5 doses and then once every 4 weeks. For psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and axial spondyloarthritis, it may also be injected once every 4 weeks. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use secukinumab injection exactly as directed. Do not inject more or less of it or inject it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
You may receive your first subcutaneous dose of secukinumab injection in your doctor’s office. After that, your doctor may allow you to inject secukinumab yourself or have a friend or relative perform the injections. Before you use secukinumab injection yourself the first time, read the manufacturer’s information for the patient that comes with the medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you or the person who will be injecting the medication how to inject it.
Use each syringe or dosing pen only once and inject all the solution in the syringe or pen. Dispose of used syringes and pens in a puncture-resistant container. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to dispose of the puncture-resistant container.
If you are using a prefilled syringe or a dosing pen that has been refrigerated, place the syringe or pen on a flat surface without removing the needle cap and allow it warm to room temperature for 15-30 minutes before you are ready to inject the medication. Do not try to warm the medication by heating it in a microwave, placing it in hot water, or through any other method. Use the injection at least 1 hour after taking it out of the refrigerator.
Do not shake a syringe or dosing pen that contains secukinumab.
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Always look at secukinumab solution before injecting it. Check that the expiration date has not passed and that the liquid is clear and colorless. The liquid should not contain visible particles. Do not use a syringe or dosing pen if it is cracked or broken, if it is expired, or if the liquid is cloudy or contains large or colored particles.
You can inject secukinumab injection anywhere on the front of your thighs (upper leg), upper outer arms, or abdomen (stomach) except your navel and the area 2 inches (5 centimeters) around it. To reduce the chances of soreness or redness, use a different site for each injection. Do not inject into an area where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard or where you have scars or stretch marks.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with secukinumab injection. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
