Your doctor will prescribe a plaque psoriasis treatment for you based on many things, including how severe and where your plaque psoriasis is on your body, your age, and your medical history. Some common treatments include:

TOPICAL CREAMS

Used directly on the surface of your skin

LIGHT THERAPY

Your skin, or just the psoriatic plaque, is exposed to ultraviolet light

(UVB rays or Psoralen plus UVA rays [PUVA])

BIOLOGICS

Injectable treatments that target a possible cause of your psoriasis

ORAL SYSTEMIC THERAPIES

Pills that work either throughout the body or on a specific target

For more information about treatment options, go to Plaque Psoriasis Treatments.

NSAIDS

Over-the-counter oral medications can help decrease the pain

ORAL SYSTEMIC THERAPY

Prescription pills that work either throughout the body or on a specific target

BIOLOGIC INJECTIONS

Injections under the skin that target a possible cause of your psoriatic arthritis

BIOLOGIC INFUSIONS

Treatments infused via an IV into the bloodstream that target a possible cause of your psoriatic arthritis

There is currently no known cure for psoriatic arthritis. However, there are several categories of medications used for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. NSAIDs, like aspirin or ibuprofen, help decrease pain. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate and other oral options, treat pain and swelling of joints. Biologics, like STELARA^®, target specific parts of the immune system. By finding a treatment that works best for you, it is possible to find relief from your symptoms of joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, as well as plaque thickness, scaling, and redness.

The convenient dosing of STELARA^® offers a full 12 weeks between treatments after two starter doses. STELARA^® is a 45 mg or 90 mg injection given under the skin as directed by your doctor at weeks 0, 4, and every 12 weeks thereafter. It is administered by a healthcare provider or self-injected only after proper training. Each injection is given using a small needle. STELARA^® is available in 45 mg or 90 mg doses; your doctor will choose the right dose of STELARA^® for you. You will start off by taking the first starter dose of STELARA^®, followed by a second starter dose four weeks later. You will then receive a maintenance dose every 12 weeks thereafter.

STELARA^® is a 45 mg or 90 mg injection given under the skin as directed by your doctor at weeks 0, 4, and every 12 weeks thereafter. It is administered by a healthcare provider or self-injected only after proper training. Each injection is given using a small needle. STELARA^® is available in 45 mg or 90 mg doses; your doctor will choose the right dose for you. Make sure you keep all your scheduled follow-up appointments. If your doctor decides that you or a caregiver may give your injections at home, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject STELARA^®. Do not try to inject yourself until you or your caregiver have been properly trained by a healthcare provider.

Only your doctor can decide how long you will need to continue treatment with STELARA^®.

No. STELARA^® is not a steroid. STELARA^® targets an underlying cause of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis—an overactive immune system. It blocks the action of IL-12 and IL-23, two proteins that may play a role in plaque psoriasis and active psoriatic arthritis.

The active ingredient in STELARA^® is called ustekinumab. The other ingredients are sucrose, L-histidine, and polysorbate 80. STELARA^® is manufactured by: Janssen Biotech, Inc., Horsham, PA 19044, License No. 1864 at Baxter Pharmaceutical Solutions, Bloomington, IN 47403

Janssen Biotech is a world leader in biomedical research and development that continues to discover and deliver innovative biologic treatments such as STELARA^®. To learn more, please visit Janssen.com.

The best place to get more information is from your doctor. You can also read the Medication Guide and Full Prescribing Information, or sign up to get more information on plaque psoriasis or get more information on psoriatic arthritis. If you have more questions, feel free to contact Janssen CarePath for STELARA^® at 877-CarePath (877-227-3728), Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET.

The most common side effects of STELARA^® include: nasal congestion, sore throat, and runny nose, upper respiratory infections, fever, headache, tiredness, itching, nausea and vomiting, redness at the injection site, vaginal yeast infections, urinary tract infections, sinus infection, bronchitis, diarrhea and stomach pain.

These are not all of the possible side effects with STELARA^®. Tell your doctor about any side effect that you experience. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you see a small amount of tiny particles that are white, or that you can see through, don’t worry, that is okay. Do not use the prefilled syringe if the liquid looks frozen, discolored, cloudy, or contains large particles. If you have any questions about what is normal and what is not, call 1-800-JANSSEN (1-800-526-7736).

You can inject in several places. It is recommended that you inject in your thighs or stomach area. If you choose your stomach, stay 2 inches away from your belly button. If possible, do not inject into an area that is tender, bruised, red, or hard.

If you see a small amount of blood or liquid where you injected, that is normal. Just press a cotton ball or gauze pad to it, if needed. Do not rub. If you want, you can cover the area with an adhesive bandage.

If your doctor decides that a caregiver or a friend may give your injections at home, he or she should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject STELARA^®. He or she should not inject you until trained by a healthcare provider.

Our nurses are available 7 days a week to answer your questions about the injection process. For assistance, call Janssen CarePath for STELARA^® at 877-CarePath (877-227-3728), weekdays, 9 AM to 8 PM ET, weekends, 9AM to 5PM ET. At all other times, a nurse will return your call in about 15 minutes. You can also watch our self-injection video on our Injection Support page.

STELARA^® is given as an injection under the skin every 12 weeks, after 2 starter doses at weeks 0 and 4. Following the starter doses, that's only 4 doses a year.

In children 6 years or older, it is recommended that STELARA^® be given by a healthcare provider. If a doctor decides that you or a caregiver may be able to give your injections of STELARA^® at home, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject STELARA^®.