How Does COSENTYX Work | COSENTYX® (secukinumab) (2024)

FAQs

How Does COSENTYX Work | COSENTYX® (secukinumab)? ›

COSENTYX is the first FDA-approved biologic of its kind to treat AS by targeting a molecule called IL-17A, one of the molecules that could play a role in inflammation in people with ankylosing spondylitis. A biologic is a protein-based medication that is made from living sources and taken by injection or infusion.

Mechanism of Action

Cosentyx (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.

IL-17A can contribute to the conditions Cosentyx treats, making your symptoms worse. People with these conditions have higher levels of IL-17A in their blood than people without these conditions. Cosentyx works by binding to IL-17A and preventing it from working. This decreases the amount of inflammation in your body.

The biologic drug Cosentyx (secukinumab) can weaken your immune system, increasing your risk of infection. Two of the most common adverse reactions to the drug were colds and upper respiratory tract infections in clinical trials, but this occurred in less than 1% of people.

Secukinumab works by blocking the effects of this protein, to reduce inflammation and the problems it can cause, such as joint pain and stiffness. It's a long-term treatment. Depending on your condition, it may take between three weeks and a year of taking secukinumab before you start to see the benefits.

In the few real-life studies addressing the topic of psoriatic arthritis and axial PsA, secukinumab was effective and safe in controlling disease outcomes (such as DAPSA and MDA), with survival ranging from 40% to 70% at 2 years depending on the number of prior anti-TNFAalpha-based lines of therapy [22,32].

Among those moderate to severe plaque psoriasis patients who kept a symptom diary (39% of people), people taking COSENTYX reported an improvement in symptoms like pain, itching, and scaling at 12 weeks, compared with those not taking COSENTYX (placebo) in the studies.

Weight loss and weight gain aren't side effects of Cosentyx. In clinical trials, Cosentyx didn't increase or decrease people's weight in any way. However, other medications in the same class as Cosentyx can cause weight changes. (A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.)

COSENTYX may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Some people have died from these infections. Your doctor should check you for tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with COSENTYX.

No, Cosentyx shouldn't cause fatigue (low energy). Fatigue wasn't seen in studies of Cosentyx. However, fatigue is a side effect of methotrexate (Trexall, Rasuvo, Otrexup), which you may use with Cosentyx. Fatigue can also be a symptom of psoriatic arthritis and other conditions that Cosentyx treats.

How long do you have to stay on COSENTYX? ›

For people with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, COSENTYX is taken once a week for 5 weeks, then once every 4 weeks thereafter. Dosing can vary based on your specific condition(s). If your recommended dose is 300 mg, it's taken as two 150-mg injections on the same day or as one 300-mg injection.

It is a fully human monoclonal antibody. Many clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy in managing plaque psoriasis in 2015, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis in 2016.

Since its approval there have been no reports of idiosyncratic, clinically apparent liver injury attributed to secukinumab therapy. However, prospective studies have shown that secukinumab can induce reactivation of hepatitis B in persons with preexisting HBsAg or antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc).

Cosentyx (secukinumab) is a biologic medication that treats psoriatic arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. It lessens inflammation in the body by blocking a protein called interleukin-17A.

And Cosentyx causes fewer side effects, particularly serious side effects, than Humira. But it's also important to consider your health history. For example, if you have inflammatory bowel disease, taking Cosentyx could make it worse. On the other hand, Humira is approved to treat this condition.

COSENTYX is designed to target and block IL-17A, which is believed to play a role in inflammation that causes psoriasis plaques and joint pain in people with psoriatic arthritis.

Secukinumab selectively binds to and inhibits IL-17A, ³ preventing its interaction with the IL-17 receptor and activation of the IL-17 receptor signalling pathway associated with inflammatory processes.

Cosentyx is a monoclonal antibody from a group of medicines called interleukin (IL) inhibitors that work by blocking the activity of a protein called IL-17A. People who have autoimmune conditions have increased levels of this protein.

No, Cosentyx isn't a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. Instead, it's a kind of drug called a monoclonal antibody. (These are immune system proteins that are made in a lab.) Like TNF inhibitors, Cosentyx works by stopping inflammation in your body.