Cosentyx® (secukinumab): PsO dosing
Cosentyx is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in adults, children and adolescents from the age of 6 years who are candidates for systemic therapy; active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adult patients (alone or in combination with methotrexate [MTX]) when the response to previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy has been inadequate; active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults who have responded inadequately to conventional therapy; active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with objective signs of inflammation as indicated by elevated C-reactive protein and/or magnetic resonance imaging evidence in adults who have responded inadequately to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; active moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS; acne inversa) in adults with an inadequate response to conventional systemic HS therapy; active enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) in patients 6 years and older (alone or in combination with MTX) whose disease has responded inadequately to, or who cannot tolerate, conventional therapy; active juvenile psoriatic arthritis (JPsA) in patients 6 years and older (alone or in combination with MTX) whose disease has responded inadequately to, or who cannot tolerate, conventional therapy.1
Cosentyx is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of a physician experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions for which Cosentyx is indicated.1
In Ireland Cosentyx is reimbursed for the following indications: adult plaque psoriasis (PsO); psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).
Cosentyx dosing schedule for eligible adult patients with moderate to severe PsO
The recommended dose of Cosentyx in adults with PsO is 300 mg delivered at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, followed by a monthly maintenance dose.1
Based on clinical response, patients with PsO weighing ≥90 kg may benefit from a maintenance dose of 300 mg every 2 weeks.1 Each 300 mg dose is given as one subcutaneous injection of 300 mg or as two subcutaneous injections of 150 mg. The Q2W dosing regimen is included in the SmPC but is currently not reimbursed under the HSE scheme in Ireland.
For patients who weigh <90 kg, the recommended Cosentyx dose is 300 mg with initial dosing at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, followed by monthly maintenance dosing.1
Cosentyx pre-filled injections for eligible patients with moderate to severe PsO
SensoReady® 150 mg pen video
UnoReady® 300 mg pen video
The pre-filled pens are available in two dosages: 150 mg and 300 mg.
In the MATURE study at 28 weeks, 100% of patients were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with using the UnoReady® 300 mg pen (n=37: 32.4% satisfied and 67.6% very satisfied, respectively).*2
*MATURE was a 52-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study that evaluated efficacy, safety, tolerability and PK of Cosentyx in patients with moderate to severe PsO via one 300 mg/2 ml UnoReady pen injection (n=41) or two 150 mg/1 ml pre-filled syringe injections (n=41) vs placebo. Patients self-administered treatment at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 followed by Q4W dosing starting at Week 12 up to Week 48. The co-primary endpoints of PASI 75 and IGA mod 2011 0/1 response rates at Week 12 were met (p<0.0001 for both).2
What your eligible patients should know when switching to the Cosentyx UnoReady® 300 mg pen
The Cosentyx UnoReady® pen delivers the potential benefits of Cosentyx 300 mg in one injection. In the MATURE study at 28 weeks 100% of patients (n=37) were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with using the UnoReady® pen.1–3
There are some differences between using the Cosentyx SensoReady® and UnoReady® pen that eligible patients should be aware of:†3,4
†After proper training in subcutaneous injection technique, patients may self-inject Cosentyx or may be injected by a caregiver if a physician determines that this is appropriate. However, the physician should ensure appropriate follow-up of patients. Patients or caregivers should be instructed to inject the full amount of Cosentyx according to the instructions provided in the package leaflet. Comprehensive instructions for administration are given in the package leaflet.1
Cosentyx dosing precautions and warnings
The efficacy of Cosentyx across its various indications has been established through clinical studies. Based on the available evidence, a clinical response is normally achieved within the first 16 weeks of treatment, however, if your patients don’t demonstrate a response to the prescribed Cosentyx dose within this timeframe, consideration should be given to discontinuing the treatment. Some patients with an initial partial response may subsequently improve with continued treatment beyond 16 weeks.1
Cosentyx dosing and special populations
No dose adjustments are required for elderly individuals aged 65 and over. The safety and efficacy of Cosentyx in children below the age of 6 years have not yet been established. Cosentyx has not been studied in patients with renal or hepatic impairment and therefore no dose recommendations can be made in these populations.1
There are no adequate data from the use of Cosentyx in pregnant women. As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of Cosentyx during pregnancy. Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Cosentyx, a decision on whether to discontinue breast-feeding during treatment and up to 20 weeks after treatment or to discontinue therapy with Cosentyx must be made taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding to the child and the benefit of therapy to the woman.1
Cosentyx missed dose
Encourage your patient to promptly consult with you in the event that they miss a scheduled dose, so that you may determine when they should take the subsequent Cosentyx injection dose.3
Cosentyx overdose
In the event of overdose, it is recommended that the patient be monitored for any signs or symptoms of adverse reactions and appropriate symptomatic treatment be instituted immediately.1
Cosentyx special warnings and precautions
Contraindications
Cosentyx is contraindicated in:
Patients with hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipient1
Clinically important, active infection, e.g., active tuberculosis1
Infections
Cosentyx has the potential to increase the risk of infections. Serious infections have been observed in patients receiving Cosentyx in the post-marketing setting. Caution should be exercised when considering the use of Cosentyx in patients with a chronic infection or a history of recurrent infection. If a patient develops a serious infection, the patient should be closely monitored and Cosentyx should not be administered until infection resolves. Please see the SmPC for the full information.1
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (active and/or latent reactivation) has been reported in patients treated with Cosentyx. Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis infection prior to initiating treatment with Cosentyx. Cosentyx should not be given to patients with active tuberculosis. In patients with latent tuberculosis, anti-tuberculosis therapy should be considered prior to initiation of Cosentyx as per clinical guidelines. Patients receiving Cosentyx should be monitored for signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis.1
Inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
Cases of new or exacerbations of inflammatory bowel disease have been reported with Cosentyx. Cosentyx is not recommended in patients with IBD. If a patient develops signs or symptoms of IBD or experiences an exacerbation of pre-existing IBD, Cosentyx should be discontinued and appropriate medical management should be initiated.1
Hypersensitivity reactions
Rare cases of anaphylactic reactions and angioedema have been observed in patients receiving Cosentyx. If an anaphylactic reaction, angioedema or other serious allergic reaction occurs, administration of Cosentyx should be discontinued immediately and appropriate therapy initiated.1
Vaccinations
Live vaccinations should not be given concurrently with Cosentyx. Prior to initiating therapy with Cosentyx, it is recommended that paediatric patients receive all age‑appropriate immunisations as per current immunisation guidelines. Please see the SmPC for full information regarding vaccinations.1
Latex-sensitive individuals – Cosentyx 150 mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe and 150 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen only
The removable needle cap of Cosentyx 150 mg in the pre-filled syringe and 150 mg pre-filled pen contains a derivative of natural rubber (latex). Use in latex-sensitive individuals has not been studied and there is therefore a potential risk of hypersensitivity reactions which cannot be completely ruled out.1
Concomitant immunosuppresive therapy
In psoriasis studies, the safety and efficacy of Cosentyx in combination with immunosuppressants, including biologics, or phototherapy have not been evaluated. Cosentyx was administered concomitantly with MTX, sulfasalazine and/or corticosteroids in arthritis studies (including in patients with PsA and AS). Caution should be exercised when considering concomitant use of other immunosuppressants and Cosentyx.1
Hepatitis B reactivation
Hepatitis B virus reactivation can occur in patients treated with Cosentyx. In accordance with clinical guidelines for immunosuppressants, testing patients for HBV infection is to be considered before initiating treatment with Cosentyx. Patients with evidence of positive HBV serology should be monitored for clinical and laboratory signs of HBV reactivation during Cosentyx treatment. If reactivation of HBV occurs while on Cosentyx, discontinuation of the treatment should be considered, and patients should be treated according to clinical guidelines.1
Cosentyx is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of a physician experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions for which Cosentyx is indicated.1
This is not an exhaustive list of warnings and precautions. Please refer to the Cosentyx SmPC for full information.
The most frequently reported adverse reactions are upper respiratory tract infections (17.1%) (most frequently nasopharyngitis, rhinitis).1
Adverse events associated with Cosentyx:1
Very common
Upper respiratory tract infections
Common
Oral herpes
Headache
Rhinorrhoea
Diarrhoea
Nausea
Eczema
Fatigue
Please refer to the Cosentyx SmPC for the full safety profile.
Discover additional information regarding the Cosentyx safety profile
AS, ankylosing spondylitis; axSpA, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis; ERA, enthesitis-related arthritis; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HS, hidradenitis suppurativa; HSE, Health Service Executive; IGA mod 2011/01, Investigator’s Global Assessment modified 2011 Investigator's Global Assessment modified 2011; JPsA, juvenile psoriatic arthritis; MTX, methotrexate; nr-axSpA, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis; PASI, psoriasis area and severity index; PK, pharmacokinetics; PsA, psoriatic arthritis; PsO, plaque psoriasis; Q2W, every 2 weeks; Q4W, every 4 weeks; SmPC, summary of product characteristics.
References
Cosentyx® (secukinumab) Summary of Product Characteristics. Available on www.medicines.ie.
Sigurgeirsson B, et al. Dermatol Ther 2022;35(3):e15285.
Cosentyx 300 mg solution for injection pre-filled pen. Patient Information Leaflet.
Cosentyx 150 mg solution for injection pre-filled pen. Patient Information Leaflet.
IE11481271 | March 2026
