Secukinumab injection

What is this medication?

SECUKINUMAB (sek ue KIN ue mab) is used to treat psoriasis. It is also used to treat psoriatic arthritis, enthesitis-related arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Cosentyx

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or other inflammatory bowel disease
• immune system problems
• infection or history of infection (especially a viral infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)
• recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine
• tuberculosis, a positive skin test for tuberculosis, or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tuberculosis
• an unusual or allergic reaction to secukinumab, other medicines, latex, rubber, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is injected under the skin. It may be administered by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic setting or at home. If you get this medicine at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give it. Use exactly as directed. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Keep taking it unless your health care provider tells you to stop.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor of health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment. If you give yourself the medicine and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• live virus vaccines

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• cyclosporine
• inactivated vaccines
• warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You will be tested for tuberculosis (TB) before you start this medicine. If your doctor prescribes any medicine for TB, you should start taking the TB medicine before starting this medicine. Make sure to finish the full course of TB medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medicine can decrease the response to a vaccine. If you need to get vaccinated, tell your healthcare professional if you have received this medicine within the last 6 months. Extra booster doses may be needed. Talk to your doctor to see if a different vaccination schedule is needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• feeling faint or lightheaded
• signs and symptoms of bowel problems like abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in the stool, and weight loss
• signs and symptoms of infection like fever or chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected
• stuffy or runny nose

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store the prefilled syringe or injection pen in a refrigerator between 2 to 8 degrees C (36 to 46 degrees F). Keep the syringe or the pen in the original carton until ready for use. Protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not shake. Prior to use, remove the syringe or pen from the refrigerator and use within 4 days. Get rid of any unused medicine after the expiration date.

To get rid of medicines that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medicine to a medicine take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medicine, ask your pharmacist or health care provider how to get rid of this medicine safely.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.