Ustekinumab belongs to a class of medicines called biologics. Biologics are genetically engineered proteins. Ustekinumab works by blocking the activity of proteins known as interleukin (IL) 12 and 23.
IL-12/23 levels are increased in diseases such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. This medication helps to reduce the activity of the immune system and the symptoms of the disease.
Ustekinumab does not work immediately and it may take several weeks before you notice any improvement in symptoms.
Side effects may occur when taking Ustekinumab, but the vast majority of these tend to resolve spontaneously. Common side effects include:
Inform your doctor if any side effects persist, if you are unable to tolerate them or the side effects become serious.
Ustekinumab may reduce your body's ability to fight against infection. You should consult a doctor immediately if you develop a fever or feel unwell. Inform the doctor whom you consult that you are taking Ustekinumab as the medication may need to be stopped while you are having an infection.
You may need to have regular blood tests while on Ustekinumab.
Other rare but serious side effects include:
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
Inform your healthcare professional if:
Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other medications as they may interact with Ustekinumab. These include:
Pneumococcal, influenza (flu) and Hepatitis B vaccinations are safe and may be given if required. Avoid live vaccines such as MMR (measles. mumps and rubella), OPV (oral polio vaccine), yellow fever or BCG (tuberculosis). Discuss with your doctor before receiving any vaccines. Also, direct contact with persons who have taken oral polio vaccine or those with infections should be avoided.
Avoid eating raw, undercooked or half-cooked food.
Ustekinumab should be taken as prescribed and you should not stop using the medication without discussing it with your doctor. Stopping Ustekinumab abruptly may cause the symptoms of your condition to return.
It may be taken alone, with methotrexate, or with other disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Ustekinumab is available in a solution for injection that comes in a pre-filled form (ready-to-use). It is given via injection under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach, thigh or upper outer arm or into the blood vessel (intravenous infusion). You and your doctor will decide if you should administer Ustekinumab yourself. You or your carer should receive training on how to inject the medication from your doctor, pharmacist or specialty nurse prior to attempting administration on your own. Always remember to rotate the injection site.
Your doctor will decide how much Ustekinumab you need and tor how long.
If you miss a dose, inject it as soon as you remember. Talk to your doctor to discuss when the next dose should be given.
Ustekinumab solution for injection is a clear liquid. Its colour may vary from colourless to light yellow and may contain a few small translucent or white particles. Do not use it if the solution contains many/large particles or becomes cloudy or distinctively brown.
Do not shake the pre-filled syringe.
Store in a refrigerator at 2-8°C. Do not freeze.
Keep in original packaging or in a black ziplock bag to protect it from light.
Keep out of the reach of children.
After injecting Ustekinumab, the used syringe should be placed in a puncture resistant container such as a metal tin or sharps bin. You may bring the used metal tin or sharps bin to the pharmacy or clinic for proper disposal.
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