The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown. However, it is understood that the immune system, environmental factors and family history can play roles in its development. The immune system is somehow triggered, which causes a series of events, including inflammation and acceleration of skin cell growth. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up on the surface of the skin, forming psoriatic plaques.

The diagnosis of psoriasis is usually made by a doctor examining the affected skin for typical signs of the disease and obtaining an appropriate patient history. In some cases, to aid in their diagnosis, doctors may obtain a small sample of skin and examine it under a microscope.

Psoriasis affects an estimated two to three percent of the world's population. It is estimated that between 4.5 and 7.5 million people in the United States have psoriasis.

At present, there is no known cure for psoriasis. However, there are certain medications, including biologic agents, to help treat psoriasis. It is important for patients to speak with their doctors about appropriate treatment(s) that may effectively manage their psoriasis. Treatments may include medications applied to the skin, ultraviolet light therapy, medications taken by mouth or given by injection or infusion.

Certain things may cause psoriasis to flare. Among these are stress, skin injuries, strep infections, and certain medications including anti-malarial drugs, beta-blockers, lithium and oral corticosteroids. Weather can also trigger psoriatic symptoms, especially in cold and dry climates. During the winter, skin is robbed of moisture by both the cold and dry air, which may worsen psoriasis.

Your doctor will prescribe a psoriasis treatment for you based on many things, including the severity and location of your psoriasis, your age and medical history. Therapies commonly used include:

Topical therapies

Topical therapies, like creams and gels, are applied directly on the skin surface. They are often prescribed for mild to moderate psoriasis. Types of topicals include: Dovonex®* (calcipotriene), a synthetic vitamin D cream, Tazorac®* (tazarotene), a vitamin A derivative, and steroid creams. Other therapies commonly used are coal tar and anthralin. Topicals help slow down or normalize skin cell growth and help reduce redness and inflammation.

Light therapies

In light therapy, your skin or just the psoriatic plaques are exposed to ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB rays). These light therapies are for moderate to severe psoriasis. One type of light therapy, PUVA (psoralen and UVA), combines medication with ultraviolet light. PUVA is used for patients with severe psoriasis. Treatment is usually administered in a dermatologist's office or psoriasis clinic. These therapies help slow down skin cell growth and kill T-cells.

Systemic therapies

Systemic medications circulate throughout the body. They can be taken orally in pill form, or given by injection. Types of systemic medications include retinoids like Soriatane®* (acitretin), and medications that suppress your immune system like Neoral®* (cyclosporine) and methotrexate.

Psoriasis Biologics

Biologics are the latest advancement in systemic psoriasis treatment. They are given by IV infusion or by injection to people with moderate or severe psoriasis. Currently available biologic therapies behave:

• By blocking activation of a type of white blood cell, called T-cell.
• By binding to a protein in the immune system, called tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
• By targeting your body's immune system and inhibiting the action of IL-12 and IL-23, two proteins that are involved in plaque psoriasis.

Treatment with STELARA™ can help provide relief from the symptoms associated with psoriatic plaques, such as plaque thickness, scaling and redness.

STELARA™ is a prescription medicine that is approved to treat adults 18 years and older with moderate or severe psoriasis that involves large areas or many areas of their body, who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).

* Indicated trademarks are registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Between 4.5 and 7.5 million people in the U.S. are currently living with psoriasis, and about 150,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. Most people are diagnosed before age 40. Psoriasis affects both men and women, but ethnicity may be a factor, as it is more common among Caucasians of northern European descent than among African Americans or Asians. Genetics may also play a role, as about one-third of people with psoriasis have a family history of the disease.

Psoriasis is not contagious. You cannot "catch" it from someone. Contact with someone who has psoriasis does not result in transmission of the disease.

There are many excellent resources where you can learn more about psoriasis, including the symptoms, treatments, research studies and educational programs. The National Psoriasis Foundation provides a variety of information at www.psoriasis.org, or you can call them at 1-800-723-9166. You may also visit Psoriasis Cure Now at www.psoriasis-cure-now.org or at 1-301-571-2393.

Only your doctor can determine if STELARA™ is right for you. It is a prescription psoriasis medicine approved to treat adults 18 years and older with moderate or severe psoriasis that involves large areas or many areas of their body, who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills). If you and your doctor are considering STELARA™, please read the Medication Guide and Full Prescribing Information and discuss any questions you may have with your doctor.

Only your doctor can determine how long you need to stay on treatment with STELARA™.

STELARA™ is only approved to treat adults 18 years and older with moderate or severe psoriasis that involves large areas or many areas of their body, who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).

 STELARA™ may not be right for everyone. Only you and your doctor can decide if STELARA™ is right for you. You and your doctor should discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with STELARA™.

The frequency of dosing for STELARA™ is one starter dose, followed by a second starter dose four weeks later. You will then receive a maintenance dose every 12 weeks thereafter. It is important to talk to your doctor about your treatment. Download your own STELARA™ Treatment Log and take an active role in your care by tracking your doses and your progress.

If you and your doctor are considering STELARA™, it is helpful to have an open discussion about the parts of your body that have been affected by psoriasis and all the symptoms you experience (redness, flaking, plaque thickness). You should share your whole medical history and all the medications and vaccinations you have taken or plan to take. The downloadable STELARA™ Discussion Guide can help prepare you for this important conversation with your doctor. Only your doctor can decide if STELARA™ is right for you. Please read the Medication Guide and Full Prescribing Information and discuss any questions you may have with your doctor.

STELARA™ is an injection under the skin that should only be given by a healthcare provider as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will choose the right dose of STELARA™ for you and how often you will receive it. Make sure you keep all your scheduled follow-up appointments. 

Your healthcare provider will give you the injection in an area that is unaffected by psoriasis and may administer your injection in a different area each time.

Your doctor will determine the dose that is right for you. For patients weighing less than 220 pounds, the recommended dose is one 45 mg starter dose, followed by a second starter dose four weeks later. You will then receive a 45 mg maintenance dose every 12 weeks thereafter. For patients weighing more than 220 pounds, the recommended dose is one 90 mg starter dose, followed by a second starter dose four weeks later. You will then receive a 90 mg maintenance dose every 12 weeks thereafter.

STELARA™ is not for everyone; only your doctor can decide if it's right for you. STELARA™ is a prescription medicine that affects your immune system. It can increase your chances of having serious side effects including serious infections, cancer and a rare condition called reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. Please read the Important Safety Information and Medication Guide and discuss any questions you may have with your doctor.

A medical study showed that 2 out of 3 patients treated with STELARA™ saw at least 75% clearance after just 12 weeks. In another medical study, skin clearance was maintained at one year in most patients who initially responded to STELARA™ and continued to receive treatment. The safety and effectiveness of STELARA™ have not been evaluated beyond two years. Individual results may vary.

STELARA™ can help provide relief from the symptoms associated with psoriatic plaques, such as plaque thickness, scaling and redness.

In a medical study, 2 out of 3 patients treated with STELARA™ saw at least 75% clearance at 12 weeks. In another medical study, skin clearance was maintained at one year in most patients who initially responded to STELARA™ and continued to receive treatment. The safety and effectiveness of STELARA™ have not been evaluated beyond two years. Individual results may vary.

An overactive immune system can lead to high levels of IL-12 and IL-23, two proteins that have been found in psoriatic skin plaques. STELARA™, a biologic medicine, binds to IL-12 and IL-23. By preventing these two proteins from attaching to cells in your body, STELARA™ slows down the production of skin cells and helps reduce inflammation.

STELARA™ may improve your psoriasis but may also lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of serious infection. STELARA™ may also increase your risk for certain types of cancer.

No. STELARA™ is not a steroid. STELARA™ is a biologic therapy that works with the immune system to target an underlying cause of plaque psoriasis. It inhibits the action of IL-12 and IL-23, two proteins thought to play a role in psoriasis.

The active ingredient in STELARA™ is called ustekinumab. The other ingredients are sucrose, L-histidine and polysorbate 80.

STELARA™ is a prescription medicine that is approved to treat adults 18 years and older with moderate or severe psoriasis that involves large areas or many areas of their body, who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).

It is important that STELARA™ is stored in your refrigerator although not in the freezer compartment. STELARA™ should not be frozen or shaken. Keep the product upright and in the original carton to protect it from light until the time of use. Refrigerate it immediately at 36°F to 46°F (2°C - 8°C). 

If your STELARA™ has been stored outside of the recommended temperature ranges, contact Centocor Ortho Biotech Medical Information at 1-800-457-6399.

Always store STELARA™ under proper conditions. Never keep STELARA™ beyond the expiration date printed on the carton and the label.

Most insurance plans should cover the cost of STELARA™, including Medicare and Medicaid. Coverage policies can vary from plan to plan so if you have questions, we'd like to help. A Care Coordinator can help you verify and understand your insurance benefits and explain your potential out-of-pocket medication costs for STELARA™. You can contact STELARA™ Support at 1-877-STELARA (1-877-783-5272), Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET. It's helpful to have your insurance information available when you call.

There are programs available to provide assistance for patients who have difficulty affording the medication costs for STELARA™. You are encouraged to call STELARA™ Support at 1-877-STELARA (1-877-783-5272), Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET. Representatives are available to help you identify alternate sources of funding.

Yes. For qualifying patients, the Instant Savings Program will pay 100% of out-of-pocket medication costs for three doses of treatment and can also provide ongoing support for co-pay, deductible and co-insurance for one year after card activation or after 6 doses, whichever comes first. Near the end of your benefit period, a specialist may contact you about the extended access program that may be available. You are encouraged to call STELARA™ Support to get information about help paying for STELARA™. You can contact us at 1-877-STELARA (1-877-783-5272), Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET. It's helpful to have your insurance information available when you call.

The STELARA™ Information Kit provides information about this medication to people who have requested it. This kit contains a brochure that provides details about STELARA™. The kit also explains the STELARA™ Support services available to begin and stay on treatment.

 If requested, the Welcome Kit is sent to any patient who has received a prescription for STELARA™. It may also be given out by a doctor, or included with the medication shipment from the specialty pharmacy. Information includes:

• Information about STELARA™ and psoriasis
• Summary of results from medical studies
• Dosing
• Safety information
• Details of patient support services
• Financial assistance information

STELARA™ Support consists of several different free services to help patients get started on this treatment, and to help them succeed. STELARA™ Support services include:

• Cost Support: We understand that everyone's financial situation is different. Our Care Coordinators can help you identify resources that may assist you in reducing your  out-of-pocket medication costs. If at any time your insurance or financial situation changes, we can help you find a program that may help keep STELARA™ affordable.
• Medication Reminders: To help you stay on track with your treatments, STELARA™ Support gives you the option of receiving a reminder before your next dose is due.
• Treatment Log: To help you keep track of your dosing schedule and your progress.
• Updates and Educational Materials: STELARA™ Support provides important updates, including new services as they become available and educational tools to help manage your plaque psoriasis.
• Insurance Help: If either you or your doctor contacts STELARA™ Support, our Care Coordinators can help you verify and understand your insurance benefits and explain your potential out-of-pocket medication costs for STELARA™.

Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. will continue to support patients through a number of information resources available online. Specifically, STELARAinfo.com will give you access to information on STELARA™ and educational tools to help manage your psoriasis. If you haven’t already, you may sign up to request STELARA™ information.

STELARA™ was approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) on September 25, 2009.

STELARA™ is manufactured by Cilag AG for Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc.

To learn more, please visit CentocorOrthoBiotech.com

The best resource for more information is your doctor. You can also read the  Medication Guide and  Full Prescribing Information, or sign up to receive more information. If you have further questions, feel free to contact STELARA™ Support, at 1-877-STELARA (1-877-783-5272), Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 8 PM ET.

Once you and your doctor decide that STELARA™ is right for you, your doctor and the office staff will help you determine the best way for you to obtain your prescription.