Does Cosentyx lower your ability to fight diseases?

Cosentyx may reduce the immune system's ability to fight illness and may increase your risk of infections.

Do you have to take Consentyx for the rest of your life?

Based on your medical condition, your healthcare provider may prescribe Cosentyx for five weekly doses or just one dose every four weeks. After that, you may need to take one dose every four weeks.

How long does it take for Cosentyx to work?

Cosentyx treats plaque psoriasis, and the symptoms typically ease in about 12 weeks of treatment. When treating psoriatic arthritis, it may take 16 weeks for symptoms to improve. Some people taking Cosentyx may have relief from different symptoms in as few as three weeks.

Does Consentyx cause withdrawal symptoms?

Cosentyx is not an addictive drug. Usually, there are no withdrawal symptoms associated with its use.

How does Cosentyx work?

Cosentyx binds with inflammation-producing proteins and stops them from working, thereby reducing inflammation.

Cosentyx (Secukinumab) Subcutaneous: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage

What Is Cosentyx?

Cosentyx (secukinumab) is an immunosuppressant drug (suppresses the immune system). It is a prescription medicine approved to treat different types of moderate to severe psoriatic disorders in adults.

Psoriatic disorders happen when the immune system attacks itself, which then causes inflammation in the body. Cosentyx contains secukinumab, an active ingredient that belongs to the monoclonal antibody drug class. Secukinumab works on the immune system and targets interleukin-17A (IL-17A), a protein in the body that causes inflammation.

Cosentyx (Secukinumab) Drug Information - Illustration by Dennis Madamba — Verywell / Dennis Madamba

Cosentyx binds to the IL-17A to stop it from triggering your immune system. It is a monoclonal antibody and an effective and safe treatment choice for people with psoriatic diseases.

Cosentyx is available as an injectable solution (subcutaneous) in a single-use Sensoready pen and a single-use prefilled syringe.

Drug Facts

Generic Name: Secukinumab

Brand Name(s): Cosentyx

Drug Availability: Prescription

Therapeutic Classification: Immunosuppressant

Available Generically: No

Controlled Substance: N/A

Administration Route: Subcutaneous

Active Ingredient: Secukinumab

Dosage Form(s): Solution

What Is Cosentyx Used For?

Cosentyx is used in adults to treat:

Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: A chronic autoimmune disease causing patches of thick, red, scaly skin (prescribed for psoriasis that's too severe to be treated by topical medications alone)
Psoriatic arthritis: Arthritis affecting some people with psoriasis
Ankylosing spondylitis: An inflammatory disease that causes vertebrae (spinal bones) to fuse, leading to pain, swelling, and damage
Active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: A chronic condition causing inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac (SI) joint linking the spine and pelvis that is not visible in X-rays

How to Take Cosentyx

Always follow the guidelines on your prescription label and ask your healthcare provider about anything that you don't understand.

Cosentyx injections come as a dosing pen, a prefilled syringe, or powder to mix with liquid. Secukinumab injections should be given under the skin (subcutaneous). You can inject yourself or someone else can inject you. Healthcare providers may ask you to take the first dose in their office to check your accuracy of the procedure. When injecting at home, read the label and follow the manufacturer's patient guidelines.

The usual dose of Cosentyx is once per week for the first five weeks and then once every four weeks for psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and axial spondyloarthritis. Inject your dose exactly as prescribed.

Do not inject more, less, or more often than prescribed. Use each syringe or dosing pen only once and inject all the solution in the syringe or pen. Dispose of syringes and pens in a puncture-resistant container after use.

If you're using a prefilled syringe or a dosing pen that has been kept in the refrigerator, allow it to come to room temperature (up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) before using. Keep the uncapped syringe or pen on a flat surface at room temperature 15 to 30 minutes before injecting the medication.

Do not warm the solution by heating it in a microwave, placing it in hot water, or by any other method. It's better to use the injection at least one hour after taking it out of the refrigerator. And you may need two prefilled syringes to meet your dose. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider's instructions.

The solution of the injection should be clear and free of any particles. Observe the solution closely before injecting. Use the complete solution in a syringe or pen.

It is important to remember not to:

Reuse a pen or a syringe
Shake a Cosentyx syringe or dosing pen
Use a broken or expired syringe or dosing pen in which the solution has changed color

You can inject Cosentyx anywhere on the front part of your thighs (upper leg), upper outer arms, or abdomen (stomach) except in the navel (belly button) and the area 2 inches around it. Inject at a different site for each injection to reduce the chances of soreness or redness. Avoid injecting the medicine into a tender, bruised, red, itchy, or scaly area of the skin.

Storage

Keep the injection in the container that it came in. Store the injection in the refrigerator (between 36 and 46 degrees), but do not freeze. Keep the vials, prefilled syringes, and dosing pens in the original cartons to protect them from light. Keep all medications out of sight and reach of children and pets. Always lock safety caps to avoid accidental poisoning.

Do not keep unwanted or expired medications. However, don't throw out medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash. The best way to discard unwanted medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local waste disposal department about take-back programs.

Off-Label Uses

Cosentyx is not approved for–but is used as an off-label treatment for–the following conditions:

Familial Mediterranean fever (inherited autoinflammatory disease causing recurrent fevers and inflammation in the abdomen, joints, or chest)
Rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disease causing inflammation mainly in the joints)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease affecting many body parts)
Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS, a multisystem inherited disorder causing periodic fevers and muscle pains, red and swollen eyes, and a rash)

How Long Does Cosentyx Take to Work?

Symptom relief with Cosentyx in treating plaque psoriasis typically occurs within 12 weeks of starting treatment. When treating psoriatic arthritis, symptom relief may occur within 16 weeks.

What Are the Side Effects of Cosentyx?

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.

Common Side Effects

Cosentyx (secukinumab) may cause some side effects. These are not severe and usually do not require medical attention. These side effects include:

Diarrhea
Minor upper respiratory infections, such as runny, stuffy nose, and sneezing
Skin rash
Sore throat
Itching

These side effects may go away within a few days. If you have severe symptoms or symptoms that don’t go away, talk with your healthcare provider immediately.

Severe Side Effects

Cosentyx may sometimes cause severe side effects in some people. These are not common but require immediate medical attention. These include:

Severe respiratory infections
Allergic reactions (such as trouble breathing, hives, or swelling of the lips or face)
Colitis (swelling of the large intestine)

If you have these severe symptoms, immediately seek medical attention.

Report Side Effects

Cosentyx may cause other side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your provider may send a report to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).

(800) 332-1088

Dosage: How Much Cosentyx Should I Take?

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For injection dosage form:
- For ankylosing spondylitis:
  - Adults—150 milligrams (mg) every 4 weeks. Some patients may first receive "loading" doses of 150 mg at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 and then begin the every-4-weeks regimen. Patients with continuing active ankylosing spondylitis may receive a dose of 300 mg every 4 weeks.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For enthesitis-related arthritis:
  - Adults and children 4 years of age and older weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—150 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Followed by 150 mg every 4 weeks.
  - Children 4 years of age and older weighing 15 kg to less than 50 kg—75 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Followed by 75 mg every 4 weeks.
  - Children younger than 4 years of age or weighing less than 15 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis:
  - Adults—150 milligrams (mg) every 4 weeks. Some patients may first receive "loading" doses of 150 mg at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 and then begin the every-4-weeks regimen.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For plaque psoriasis:
  - Adults—At first, 300 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Followed by 300 mg every 4 weeks. Some patients may receive a dose of 150 mg.
  - Children 6 years of age and older weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—150 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Followed by 150 mg every 4 weeks.
  - Children 6 years of age and older weighing less than 50 kg—75 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Followed by 75 mg every 4 weeks.
  - Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For psoriatic arthritis:
  - Adults—150 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin every 4 weeks. Some patients may first receive "loading" doses of 150 mg at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, and then begin the every-4-weeks regimen. Patients with continuing active psoriatic arthritis may receive a dose of 300 mg every 4 weeks. Patients who also have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis should receive the dose for plaque psoriasis.
  - Children 2 years of age and older weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—150 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Followed by 150 mg every 4 weeks.
  - Children 2 years of age and older weighing 15 kg to less than 50 kg—75 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Followed by 75 mg every 4 weeks.
  - Children younger than 2 years of age or weighing less than 15 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Modifications

The safety of Cosentyx is not established in children younger than 6 years old. It's also not approved for use in pediatric patients less than 2 years old or who weigh less than 33 pounds. However, clinical studies have shown that no changes in dosage are required in patients over 65 years of age.

Missed Dose

It is essential to take Cosentyx as scheduled. If you miss a dose, call your healthcare provider for a new dosing schedule. Never take an additional dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Cosentyx?

In case of an overdose on Cosentyx (secukinumab), seek medical attention immediately.

What Happens If I Overdose on Cosentyx?

If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on Cosentyx, call a healthcare provider or the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222).

If someone collapses or isn't breathing after taking Cosentyx, call 911 immediately.

911

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause you to get infections more easily (eg, mouth, skin, or upper respiratory tract infections). It is important to check with your doctor if you have fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, painful or difficult urination, runny or stuffy nose, skin itching or scaling, or sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.

You will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis before you start using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis test or been exposed to tuberculosis.

Inflammatory bowel disease may occur while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have rectal bleeding, severe stomach pain, or severe diarrhea while using this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

While you are being treated with secukinumab, and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Secukinumab may lower your body's resistance and the vaccine may not work as well or you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent. In addition, you should not be around other persons living in your household who receive live virus vaccines because there is a chance they could pass the virus on to you. Some examples of live vaccines include measles, mumps, influenza (nasal flu vaccine), poliovirus (oral form), rotavirus, and rubella. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

What Are the Reasons I Should Not Take Cosentyx?

You should avoid using Cosentyx:

If you are allergic to the secukinumab injection or any of its ingredients.
If you are using the prefilled syringe or dosing pen, tell your healthcare provider if you or the person injecting you are allergic to rubber or latex. The caps on the Cosentyx Sensoready pen and prefilled syringe have natural rubber latex in them. There are no studies of allergic reactions to the Cosentyx pen or prefilled syringe. However, talk with your healthcare provider before using Cosentyx, to see if it’s safe for you to use.
If you have a severe infection like tuberculosis, Cosentyx may affect the immune system and increase the risk of infection.

Pregnant and breastfeeding people should only use secukinumab after consulting their healthcare provider. It’s unknown whether Cosentyx is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

What Other Medications Interact With Cosentyx?

Drug interaction trials are lacking with Cosentyx. However, some drugs may interact with secukinumab and require monitoring:

Secukinumab may alter the formation of special liver enzymes (CYP450 enzymes) and may increase the levels of certain proteins that the body produces during chronic inflammation (cytokines like IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, TNFα, IFN). Secukinumab may interact with other drugs that impact your CYP450 enzymes.
Always mention drugs such as Jantoven (warfarin) and cyclosporine (brands are Gengraf, Neoral, and Sandimmune) to your healthcare provider before starting treatment with Cosentyx.
People treated with secukinumab should avoid live vaccines, such as those for chicken pox, measles, rotavirus, smallpox, typhoid fever, and yellow fever.
Do not take Cosentyx at the same time as other biologic medications, such as Humira (adalimumab), Enbrel (etanercept), or Stelara (ustekinumab). Taking more than one biologic medication increases your risk for side effects, such as severe infections.

This may not be a complete list. Tell your healthcare provider about all other multivitamins, prescription and nonprescription medicines, supplements, and herbal medicines that you take.

What Medications Are Similar?

Several other drugs can treat the same conditions as Cosentyx. Speak with your healthcare provider first before changing your medicine.

Examples of other drugs that are used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis include:

Enbrel (etanercept)
Humira (adalimumab)
Remicade (infliximab)
Stelara (ustekinumab)
Taltz (ixekizumab)

Cosentyx and Humira have different FDA-approved uses, but both treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Various studies found that Cosentyx was more effective in treating plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis than Humira.

Like Humira, Stelara also has uses similar to Cosentyx, such as treating plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in adults. Stelara is also approved to treat Crohn’s disease, as well as moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in children age 12 years and older. In a clinical study, Cosentyx was more effective than Stelara in treating plaque psoriasis.

In a cost-effectiveness analysis (comparing medications for both cost and health outcomes), Remicade was more cost-effective in treating plaque psoriasis than Cosentyx.

The choice of medicine is a sensitive matter and something that you can discuss with your healthcare provider. Follow your prescription and the directions of your healthcare provider. Avoid switching brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cosentyx used for?

Cosentyx helps reduce the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), like back pain and morning stiffness. It treats AS by targeting a molecule called IL-17A. The FDA approved Cosentyx to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in 2015, to treat active psoriatic arthritis and active ankylosing spondylitis in 2016, and to treat non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in 2020.
Does Cosentyx lower your ability to fight diseases?

Cosentyx may reduce the immune system's ability to fight illness and may increase your risk of infections.
Do you have to take Consentyx for the rest of your life?

Based on your medical condition, your healthcare provider may prescribe Cosentyx for five weekly doses or just one dose every four weeks. After that, you may need to take one dose every four weeks.
How long does it take for Cosentyx to work?

Cosentyx treats plaque psoriasis, and the symptoms typically ease in about 12 weeks of treatment. When treating psoriatic arthritis, it may take 16 weeks for symptoms to improve. Some people taking Cosentyx may have relief from different symptoms in as few as three weeks.
Does Consentyx cause withdrawal symptoms?

Cosentyx is not an addictive drug. Usually, there are no withdrawal symptoms associated with its use.
How does Cosentyx work?

Cosentyx binds with inflammation-producing proteins and stops them from working, thereby reducing inflammation.

How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Cosentyx?

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can have a significant impact on health-related quality of life and may cause disability. Secukinumab is an antibody (a protein that your immune system uses to protect itself) approved by the FDA in 2015 to manage plaque psoriasis.

It was later approved to treat psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis in 2016 and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in 2020. Cosentyx has a good safety profile. Its availability as a self-injecting device makes it easy to use without having to go to your provider's office for every dose. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines while injecting the medicine.

However, there are a few limitations with its use. Cosentyx affects the immune system and can make you more prone to infections. Try to complete any live vaccines (including booster shots) before starting Cosentyx. Call your healthcare provider if you have signs of infection like:

Fever
Muscle aches
Skin sores
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Difficulty in urination
Weight loss
Cough
Shortness of breath

Keep regular laboratory test appointments to see if the drug is working for you.

Medical Disclaimer

Verywell Health's drug information is meant for education purposes only and not intended as a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a healthcare professional. Consult your doctor before taking any new medication(s). IBM Watson Micromedex provides some of the drug content, as indicated on the page.

13 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Reich K, Warren RB, Coates LC, Di Comite G. Long-term efficacy and safety of secukinumab in the treatment of the multiple manifestations of psoriatic disease. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34(6):1161-1173. doi:10.1111/jdv.16124
- Reich K, Warren RB, Coates LC, Di Comite G. Long-term efficacy and safety of secukinumab in the treatment of the multiple manifestations of psoriatic disease. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34(6):1161-1173. doi:10.1111/jdv.16124
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Smolen JS, Landewé RBM, Bijlsma JWJ, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2019 update. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020;79(6):685-699. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216655
Manoharan D, Vignesh RN, Shreya Srinivasan, Suzsmi SL. Secukinumab: a silver lining in dermatology. 2022;13(2).
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Loos AM, Liu S, Segel C, Ollendorf DA, Pearson SD, Linder JA. Comparative effectiveness of targeted immunomodulators for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2018;79(1):135-144.e7. doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2018.02.027
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Schweikert B, Malmberg C, Núñez M, Dilla T, Sapin C, Hartz S. Cost-effectiveness analysis of ixekizumab versus secukinumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis and concomitant moderate-to-severe psoriasis in Spain. BMJ Open. 2020;10(8):e032552. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032552

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Cosentyx (Secukinumab) – Subcutaneous