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Using Cosentyx® (secukinumab)

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Before you start taking Cosentyx

Like many medicines, there are some things to be aware of before you start taking Cosentyx:

  • You should not be given certain types of vaccines (live vaccines) while using Cosentyx. Tell your doctor or nurse if you’re planning to have a vaccination in the near future.
  • Cosentyx should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor or nurse if you’re pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby.
  • You cannot use Cosentyx if you have an active infection. Ask your doctor or nurse for advice if you have long-term or repeated infections.
  • Tell your doctor or nurse if you have an allergy to secukinumab (the active ingredient in Cosentyx), latex or any other ingredients.
  • Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you’re taking any other medicines (including prescription medicines or those you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop).
  • Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any long-term health conditions, like tuberculosis, chronic inflammation of the intestines, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
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How much Cosentyx should I take and for how long?

Depending on your diagnosis, your dose of Cosentyx will be either 150 mg (one pen) or 300 mg (two pens) administered into the fatty layer under the skin (subcutaneously) using the SensoReady pen. Contact your doctor if you’re unsure about your dose. You’ll need to keep taking Cosentyx for as long as your doctor recommends. You’ll have regular tests to make sure the mediciation is working and to prevent unwanted side effects. Check out the instructional video for how to take Cosentyx, which can be found under the section Starting Cosentyx

WATCH INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO

When do I take Cosentyx?

Depending on what condition you have, your doctor may or may not prescribe a loading dose of Cosentyx.

If you have been prescribed a loading dose: When you first start taking Cosentyx, you will initially take your prescribed dose each week, for Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. After that, you will only need your prescribed dose once a month, for as long as your doctor recommends.

If you have not been prescribed a loading dose: You will need to take your prescribed dose once a month, for as long as your doctor recommends.

To make sure you take your Cosentyx dose on time, you can set up automatic reminders when your Cosentyx dose is due.

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What if I stop using Cosentyx?

It is not dangerous to stop using Cosentyx, but if you stop treatment, your symptoms may return. Always speak with your doctor before stopping Cosentyx.