Secukinumab
Also sold as: Cosentyx
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: Interleukin-17A Antagonists (source: RxClass/NLM)
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Insurance Coverage User-Reported
No community coverage data yet for secukinumab.
Coverage data submission coming soon.
Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Secukinumab is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the interleukin-17A (IL-17A) cytokine and inhibits its interaction with the IL-17 receptor. IL-17A is a naturally occurring cytokine that is involved in normal inflammatory and immune responses. Secukinumab inhibits the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE COSENTYX is a human interleukin-17A antagonist indicated for the treatment of: moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in patients 6 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. ( 1.1 ) active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients 2 years of age and older. ( 1.2 ) adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) . ( 1.3 ) adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with objective signs of inflammation. ( 1.4 ) active enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) in pediatric patients 4 years of age and older. ( 1.5 ) adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). ( 1.6 ) 1.1 Plaque Psoriasis COSENTYX ® is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in patients 6 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. 1.2 Psoriatic Arthritis COSENTYX is indicated for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients 2 years of age and older. 1.3 Ankylosing Spondylitis COSENTYX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). 1.4 Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis COSENTYX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with objective signs of inflammation. 1.5 Enthesitis-Related Arthritis COSENTYX is indicated for the treatment of active enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) in pediatric patients 4 years of age and older. 1.6 Hidradenitis Suppurativa COSENTYX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Prior to COSENTYX initiation, complete all age-appropriate vaccinations, evaluate patients for tuberculosis (TB). ( 2.1 ). See Full Prescribing Information for instructions on preparation and administration of COSENTYX. ( 2.2 , 2.10 , 2.11 ) Administration of Intravenous Formulation: COSENTYX for intravenous use must be diluted prior to administration. Administer as an intravenous infusion after dilution over a period of 30 minutes. ( 2.11 ) Plaque Psoriasis: Subcutaneous Dosage in Adults: Recommended dosage is 300 mg by subcutaneous injection at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 followed by 300 mg every 4 weeks. For some patients, a dose of 150 mg may be acceptable. ( 2.3 ) Subcutaneous Dosage in Pediatric Patients 6 Years and Older: Recommended weight-based dosage is administered by subcutaneous injection at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 and every 4 weeks thereafter. For patients < 50 kg (at the time of dosing), the dose is 75 mg. For patients ≥ 50 kg (at the time of dosing), the dose is 150 mg. ( 2.3 ) Psoriatic Arthritis: Adult Patients Subcutaneous Dosage: For PsA patients with coexistent moderate to severe PsO, use the dosage and administration for PsO. ( 2.3 ) For other PsA patients, administer with or without a loading dosage. With a loading dosage : 150 mg at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 and every 4 weeks thereafter Without a loading dosage : 150 mg every 4 weeks If a patient continues to have active PsA, consider a dosage of 300 mg every 4 weeks. ( 2.4 ) Intravenous Dosage: The recommended intravenous dosages are: With a loading dosage : 6 mg/kg given at Week 0 as a loading dose, followed by 1.75 mg/kg every 4 weeks thereafter (max. maintenance dose 300 mg per infusion). Without a loading dosage : 1.75 mg/kg every 4 weeks (max. maintenance dose 300 mg per infusion). ( 2.4 ) Pediatric Patients 2 Years and Older Subcutaneous Dosages : Administer by subcutaneous injection at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 and every 4 weeks thereafter: For patients ≥ 15 kg and < 50 kg the dose is 75 mg. For patients ≥ 50 kg the dose is 150 mg. ( 2.5 ) Ankylosing Spondylitis: Subcutaneous Dosage: Administer with or without a loading dosage. The recommended dosages are: With a loading dosage : 150 mg at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 and every 4 weeks thereafter. Without a loading dosage : 150 mg every 4 weeks. If a patient continues to have active ankylosing spondylitis, consider a dosage of 300 mg every 4 weeks. ( 2.6 ) Intravenous Dosage: The recommended intravenous dosages are: With a loading dosage : 6 mg/kg given at Week 0 as a loading dose, followed by 1.75 mg/kg every 4 weeks thereafter (max. maintenance dose 300 mg per infusion). Without a loading dosage : 1.75 mg/kg every 4 weeks (max. maintenance dose 300 mg per infusion). ( 2.6 ) Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis: Subcutaneous Dosage: Administer with or without a loading dosage. The recommended dosage is: With a loading dosage : 150 mg at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 and every 4 weeks thereafter. Without a loading dosage : 150 mg every 4 weeks. ( 2.7 ) Intravenous Dosage: The recommended intravenous dosages are: With a loading dosage : 6 mg/kg given at Week 0 as a loading dose, followed by 1.75 mg/kg every 4 weeks thereafter (max. maintenance dose 300 mg per infusion). Without a loading dosage : 1.75 mg/kg every 4 weeks (max. maintenance dose 300 mg per infusion). ( 2.7 ) Enthesitis-Related Arthritis: Recommended weight-based dosage is administered by subcutaneous injection at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 and every 4 weeks thereafter. For patients ≥ 15 kg and < 50 kg the dose is 75 mg. For patients ≥ 50 kg the dose is 150 mg. ( 2.8 ) Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Recommended dosage is 300 mg administered by subcutaneous injection at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 and every 4 weeks thereafter. If a patient does not adequately respond, consider increasing the dosage to 300 mg every 2 weeks. ( 2.9 ) 2.1 Testing and Procedures Prior to Treatment Initiation Perform the following evaluations prior to COSENTYX initiation: Evaluate for active or latent tuberculosis (TB). COSENTYX initiation is not recommended in patients with active TB infection. Initiate treatment of latent TB prior to initiation of COSENTYX [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] . Complete all age-appropriate vaccinations as recommended by current immunization guidelines prior to initiating treatment with COSENTYX [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] . 2.2 Important Administration Instructions COSENTYX is for use under the guidance and supervision of a healthcare provider. UnoReady pens, Sensoready pens, and prefilled syringes are for subcutaneous use only. Solution in vials is for intravenous use in adult patients only. Important Subcutaneous Administration Instructions Adult patients may self-administer COSENTYX or be injected by a caregiver after proper training in subcutaneous injection technique. Pediatric patients should not self-administer COSENTYX. An adult caregiver should prepare and inject COSENTYX after prope
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail elsewhere in the labeling: Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Inflammatory Bowel Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Eczematous Eruptions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] Most common adverse reactions (> 1%) are nasopharyngitis, diarrhea, and upper respiratory tract infection. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation at 1-888-669-6682 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse Reactions in Clinical Trials of Subcutaneous COSENTYX Adverse Reactions from Clinical Trials in Adults with PsO A total of 3,430 adult subjects with PsO were treated with COSENTYX in controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials. Of these, 1,641 subjects were treated with COSENTYX for at least 1 year. Four placebo-controlled Phase 3 trials in PsO subjects (Trials PsO1, PsO2, PsO3, and PsO4) were pooled to evaluate the safety of COSENTYX in comparison to placebo up to 12 weeks after treatment initiation. In total, 2,077 subjects were evaluated (691 in the COSENTYX 300 mg group, 692 in the COSENTYX 150 mg group, and 694 in the placebo group). Subjects randomized to COSENTYX received 300 mg or 150 mg doses subcutaneously at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 followed by the same dose every 4 weeks [see Clinical Studies (14)] . Table 2 summarizes the adverse reactions that occurred at a rate of at least 1% and at a higher rate in the COSENTYX groups than the placebo group during the 12-week placebo-controlled period of these trials. Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported by Greater Than 1% of Adult Subjects With PsO (and at a Higher Rate in Subjects Treated with COSENTYX) Through Week 12 in Trials PsO1, PsO2, PsO3, and PsO4 COSENTYX Adverse reactions 300 mg (N = 691) n (%) 150 mg (N = 692) n (%) Placebo (N = 694) n (%) Nasopharyngitis 79 (11.4) 85 (12.3) 60 (8.6) Diarrhea 28 (4.1) 18 (2.6) 10 (1.4) Upper respiratory tract infection 17 (2.5) 22 (3.2) 5 (0.7) Rhinitis 10 (1.4) 10 (1.4) 5 (0.7) Oral herpes 9 (1.3) 1 (0.1) 2 (0.3) Pharyngitis 8 (1.2) 7 (1.0) 0 (0) Urticaria 4 (0.6) 8 (1.2) 1 (0.1) Rhinorrhea 8 (1.2) 2 (0.3) 1 (0.1) Adverse reactions that occurred in subjects treated with COSENTYX at rates less than 1% in the placebo-controlled period of Trials PsO1, PsO2, PsO3, and PsO4 through Week 12 included: sinusitis, tinea pedis, conjunctivitis, tonsillitis, oral candidiasis, impetigo, otitis media, otitis externa, IBD, increased liver transaminases, and neutropenia. Infections In the placebo-controlled period of the clinical trials in PsO (a total of 1,382 subjects treated with COSENTYX and 694 subjects treated with placebo up to 12 weeks), infections were reported in 28.7% of subjects treated with COSENTYX compared with 18.9% of subjects treated with placebo. Over the entire treatment period (a total of 3,430 PsO subjects treated with COSENTYX for up to 52 weeks for the majority of subjects), infections were reported in 47.5% of subjects treated with COSENTYX (0.9 per subject-year of follow-up) and serious infections were reported in 1.2% of subjects treated with COSENTYX (0.015 per subject-year of follow-up). Phase 3 data showed an increasing trend for some types of infection with increasing serum secukinumab concentrations. Candida infections, herpes viral infections, staphylococcal skin infections, and infections requiring treatment increased as serum secukinumab concentration increased. In the PsO open-label extension of Trials PsO1 and PsO2 (median follow-up of 3.9 years), representing 3,582 subject-years of exposure, 74% of COSENTYX treated subjects reported infections (55 per 100 subject-years) and serious infections were reported in 4.5% of COSENTYX treated subjects (1.4 per 100 subject-years). Sepsis was reported in 5 COSENTYX treated subjects (0.2 per 100 subject-years). Neutropenia was observed in controlled portion of clinical trials. Most cases of COSENTYX associated neutropenia were transient and reversible. No serious infections were associated with cases of neutropenia. In the open-label extension of Trials PsO1 and PsO2, neutropenia (ANC < 1 x 10 9 /L) was reported in 1% of COSENTYX treated subjects (0.3 per 100 subject-years). Some cases of serious infections were associated with neutropenia; however, the causal relationship was not established. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cases of IBD, in some cases serious, were observed in subjects treated with COSENTYX in clinical trials. In the PsO program, with 3,430 subjects exposed to COSENTYX over the entire treatment period for up to 52 weeks (2,725 subject-years),
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Certain CYP450 Substrates Increased concentrations of cytokines (e.g., IL-17) during chronic inflammation associated with certain diseases including PsO, PsA, AS, nr-axSpA, ERA, and HS may suppress the formation of CYP enzymes. Upon initiation or discontinuation of COSENTYX in patients who are receiving concomitant CYP450 substrates, particularly those where minimal decreases in the concentration may reduce CYP substrate effectiveness or minimal increases in the concentration may increase CYP substrate adverse reactions, consider monitoring for therapeutic effect or concentration of the CYP substrate and consider dosage adjustment of the CYP substrate as needed [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS COSENTYX is contraindicated in patients with a previous serious hypersensitivity reaction to secukinumab or to any of the excipients in COSENTYX. Cases of anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported during treatment with COSENTYX [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] . Serious hypersensitivity to secukinumab or any excipients in COSENTYX. ( 4 )
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Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from FDA-approved labeling data and is for educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. This information does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always verify with current prescribing information and consult a licensed healthcare professional before any clinical decision. Read full disclaimer.
Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.