Secukinumab
About Secukinumab
Secukinumab is a specialised prescription injection used to treat chronic inflammatory conditions of the skin and joints. It is primarily prescribed for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and certain types of inflammatory spinal arthritis. By targeting the specific pathways that cause inflammation, this medication helps clear skin lesions and reduce joint discomfort.
To get the best results, you must use Secukinumab consistently as scheduled by your doctor, even if your skin clears up or your joint pain improves. Because this medicine is injected, its absorption is not affected by food, so you do not need to worry about meal times when planning your dose. Making mindful lifestyle changes, such as managing stress and keeping your skin moisturised, can further support your treatment.
While taking Secukinumab, some people may experience mild side effects, such as cold symptoms or mild diarrhoea. However, you should contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of a serious infection, such as a high fever, persistent cough, or severe stomach pain. Your safety is a priority, and monitoring how your body responds is an essential part of your treatment.
Before you start using Secukinumab, tell your doctor if you have a history of tuberculosis, chronic infections, or inflammatory bowel disease. Do not take this if you currently have an active, serious infection, as this medication can lower your body’s ability to fight off illness. Your healthcare provider will perform specific screening tests to ensure it is safe for you to begin therapy.
This medicine can interact with certain treatments, especially live vaccines, which you should avoid while on this therapy. It is also important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are caring for an elderly patient, as special precautions may be needed.
Uses of Secukinumab
Medicinal Benefits
Using Secukinumab as prescribed helps reduce chronic inflammation, relieve symptoms, and improve your quality of life. Here are the key benefits you can expect:
- Clears psoriasis symptoms: Helps reduce red, scaly, itchy skin patches, improving skin appearance, comfort, and confidence.
- Relieves joint pain and stiffness: Helps reduce swelling, morning stiffness, and pain associated with inflammatory arthritis, making everyday movements easier.
- Improves mobility and daily function: By controlling inflammation in the joints and spine, it helps you move more freely, perform daily activities with less discomfort, and maintain a more active lifestyle.
Directions for Use
- Be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations for the correct dosage and timing of this medication.
- Check the label for directions and use Secukinumab as advised by the doctor. Inject the advised dose anywhere near the front of your thighs (upper leg) or abdomen (stomach) except your navel and the area 2 inches (5 centimetres) around it.
- Rotate the injection site each time. Do not inject into skin that is red, bruised, or hard.
Storage
Side Effects of Secukinumab
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Runny or stuffy nose, or a sore throat
- Mild diarrhoea
- Cold sores or mild skin rashes
- Redness or mild itching at the injection site
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe infection, such as a fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, or a persistent cough
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of your face, lips, or throat, hives, or trouble breathing
- New or worsening symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, including severe stomach cramps, persistent diarrhoea, or blood in your stool
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the liquid first: Never inject the medicine if it looks cloudy, contains floating clumps, or is severely discoloured.
- Rotate your injection sites: Never inject into skin that is tender, bruised, red, hard, or directly affected by psoriasis plaques.
- Complete a TB screen: Ensure your doctor tests you for tuberculosis before you start treatment, as this medicine can reactivate latent infections.
- Keep a sharps bin nearby: Always place your used syringes or pens directly into an approved sharps container immediately after use to prevent accidental needle injuries.
- Avoid live vaccines: Plan your vaccination schedule with your doctor, as live vaccines can be risky while your immune system is slightly modified by this treatment.
- Follow your injection schedule: Secukinumab is often started with weekly injections for the first 5 doses, followed by one injection every 4 weeks. Always follow the schedule prescribed by your doctor.
- Keep all follow-up appointments: Your doctor may monitor you for infections and perform blood tests when needed to ensure your treatment remains safe and effective.
- Discuss pregnancy plans early: If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak with your rheumatologist or dermatologist before starting or continuing Secukinumab.
Drug Interactions
- Live vaccines: Taking Secukinumab alongside live vaccines can increase your risk of developing an infection from the vaccine.
- Other biological therapies: Combining this medicine with other biological immune-suppressing drugs can heavily lower your immune system, significantly raising your risk of serious infections.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Secukinumab. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant, inform your doctor before receiving Secukinumab. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known whether Secukinumab passes into human milk. Hence, if breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Secukinumab. Your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding for a certain period.
Driving
cautionSecukinumab will be administered in the hospital setting. Hence, driving and operating machines is not recommended.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Secukinumab if you have any history of liver disease. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a history of kidney disease, let your doctor know before receiving the Secukinumab. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
safe if prescribedThe use of Secukinumab in pediatric patients is safe if prescribed by the paediatrician. The doctor will administer the dose based on the condition of your children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet: Focus on foods high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, like leafy greens, berries, and fish, which can help support your body's overall health.
- Moisturize regularly: If you have psoriasis, apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer daily to protect your skin barrier and reduce irritation.
- Engage in gentle exercise: Activities like swimming, walking, or light stretching can help keep your joints flexible and reduce stiffness without putting too much stress on them.
- Manage stress: High stress levels can trigger flare-ups of both skin and joint symptoms. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
- Avoid smoking: Tobacco use can decrease the effectiveness of your treatment and worsen inflammation. Seek support to quit if you currently smoke.
Special Advise
- It is advised to closely monitor the patient for infections like tuberculosis during and after the treatment, though the patient gets a negative tuberculin test.
- It is essential to inform your doctor if you have any active viral, bacterial, and fungal infections before starting Secukinumab.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Plaque psoriasis: Plaque psoriasis is a most common autoimmune condition in which skin cells multiply faster than normal, resulting in white scales and itchy, red, dry patches. Certain medications, infections, skin injury, stress, and tobacco or alcohol use are the common triggers for plaque psoriasis.
Psoriatic arthritis: It is a type of inflammatory arthritis which occurs in patients with psoriasis. It could also occur in patients without psoriasis, particularly in those with a family history of psoriasis. It affects large joints in the lower extremities, the distal joints of toes and fingers, and the back and pelvis. Symptoms include inflammation of joints, difficulty moving, swelling, patches of red, scaly skin, and pain.
Ankylosing spondylitis: It causes pain and stiffness in the spine. The pain generally starts in the lower back and can spread to the neck, damaged joints, or other body parts. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms include decreased flexibility, which usually leads to a hunched-forward posture and pain in the back and joints.
Active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: It is a persistent inflammatory disorder. It is characterized by active inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac (SI) joints, which connect the lower spine and pelvis.
FAQs
Secukinumab is used to treat Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, Active psoriatic arthritis, Active ankylosing spondylitis and Active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.
Secukinumab contains Secukinumab, which works by inhibiting the release of the inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that contribute to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Do not use it if you have had a severe allergic reaction to secukinumab or any of the other ingredients in Secukinumab.
If you have a mild cold, you may still be able to take your dose, but it is best to talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. If you have a fever or a more serious infection, your doctor may advise you to delay your injection until you recover.
Hair loss is not a commonly recognized side effect of Secukinumab. If you experience unusual hair thinning or loss while using this medicine, talk to your doctor to search for other possible causes.
If the medicine was left out of the refrigerator, do not use it if it has been exposed to high heat or direct sunlight. Talk to your pharmacist, as they can tell you if the medicine is still safe to use depending on how long it was left out.
Yes, you can travel with your medicine. Use an insulated travel bag with cold gel packs to keep it at the correct refrigerated temperature. Make sure the medication does not directly touch the ice packs to prevent freezing. Talk to your pharmacist for travel advice.
Yes, it is generally safe to get an inactivated (dead) flu shot while taking this medicine. However, you must avoid the nasal spray flu vaccine, which is a live vaccine. Talk to your doctor before receiving any vaccine.
You can inject into your outer upper arm, but it can be difficult to do this area yourself. It is usually easier to self-inject in the thigh or abdomen. If you prefer the arm, it may be helpful to have a trained family member or caregiver do it for you.
There is currently no cure for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Secukinumab is a long-term treatment designed to manage your symptoms, clear your skin, and protect your joints from damage as long as you continue to use it. Talk to your doctor about your long-term treatment plan.
Secukinumab is commonly started with a loading phase, during which injections are given once weekly for the first 5 doses (Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4). After that, most people switch to one injection every 4 weeks to maintain symptom control. Your doctor will determine the schedule that is right for you.
Secukinumab is available in 150 mg and 300 mg doses. Your doctor will choose the most appropriate dose based on your condition, disease severity, body weight (when applicable), and how well you respond to treatment.
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