Find Answers To Your Questions

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT PLAQUE PSORIASIS

The exact cause of plaque psoriasis is unknown. However, we do know that the immune system, environmental factors, and family history can play a role. The immune system speeds up, which causes inflammation and a large number of skin cells to grow. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up on the surface of the skin, forming psoriatic plaques.
Learn more about the role of the immune system in plaque psoriasis and what plaque psoriasis looks like.

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:

plaque-psoriasis Treatment Options

TOPICAL CREAMS

Used directly on the surface of your skin

Plaque Psoriasis Treatment Options

LIGHT THERAPY

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

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

Plaque Psoriasis Treatment Options

BIOLOGICS

Injectable treatments that target a possible cause of your psoriasis

Plaque Psoriasis Treatment Options

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.

NPF

The National Psoriasis Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides an online community for patients to connect with others along with news, information and resources about plaque psoriasis. For a more extensive list of psoriasis-related resources, go to Plaque Psoriasis Links.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

The exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is unknown. However, we do know that the immune system and genetics may play a role. The immune system speeds up, attacking healthy cells and tissue, which can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, as well as plaque thickness, scaling, and redness.

Plaque Psoriasis Treatment Options

NSAIDS

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

Plaque Psoriasis Treatment Options

ORAL SYSTEMIC THERAPY

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

Plaque Psoriasis Treatment Options

BIOLOGIC INJECTIONS

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

Plaque Psoriasis Treatment Options

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 Arthritis Foundation offers guidance and support for those living with psoriatic arthritis as well as tools, resources, and opportunities to get involved with the organization. For a more extensive list of psoriatic arthritis-related resources, go to Psoriatic Arthritis Links.

Common Questions About STELARA®

STELARA® is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 years and older with moderate or severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).

STELARA® is a prescription medicine used to treat adults 18 years and older with active psoriatic arthritis. STELARA® can be used alone or with the medicine methotrexate.

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.

YouTube logo

To hear from others like you, visit our YouTube channel: PsoriasisMatters to watch patient stories.

ABOUT STELARA® SAFETY

STELARA® is a prescription medicine that affects your immune system. It can increase your chances of having serious side effects including infections, cancer, serious allergic reactions, lung inflammation and a rare condition called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

In medical studies, STELARA® was generally well tolerated and the most common side effects were upper respiratory infections, headache, tiredness, joint pain, and nausea.

You should not receive a live vaccine while taking STELARA®. Before receiving STELARA®, tell your doctor if you have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). Tell your doctor if anyone in your house needs a vaccine. The viruses used in some types of vaccines can spread to people with a weakened immune system, and can cause serious problems. You should not receive the BCG vaccine during the one year before taking STELARA® or one year after you stop taking STELARA®. Non-live vaccinations received while taking STELARA® may not fully protect you from disease.

ABOUT STELARA® RESULTS

PLAQUE PSORIASIS

Everyone responds to treatment differently.

In a medical study:

STELARA® Clinical Results

7 out of 10 people taking STELARA® saw at least 75% clearer skin at 12 weeks

STELARA® Clinical Results

6 out of 10 people had their plaque psoriasis rated as cleared or minimal at 12 weeks

STELARA® Clinical Results

Nearly 8 out of 10 people who initially saw at least 75% clearer skin with STELARA® maintained their results with continued therapy at 2 years*.

*Includes only people who responded at 7 and 10 months. They were allowed to use topical medicines along with STELARA® after nearly one and a half years.Individual results may vary.

PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

STELARA® may help control the symptoms of joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. In a medical study, about half of patients taking STELARA® experienced a 20% improvement in their joint symptoms at 24 weeks. Also, nearly 6 out of 10 people saw at least 75% clearer skin.

Individual results may vary.

ABOUT HOW STELARA® WORKS

STELARA® is a biologic medication. Biologics are injectable treatments that deliver the medication into the body to target an underlying cause of plaque psoriasis—an overactive immune system. STELARA® specifically targets two proteins, IL-12 and IL-23, that may play a role in plaque psoriasis. This may slow down how fast skin cells are made and may reduce inflammation.

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 infections, cancer, serious allergic reactions and a rare condition called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Please read the Important Safety Information below and the Medication Guide for STELARA® to learn more about these and other risks for STELARA®. Discuss any questions you have with your doctor.

STELARA® targets an underlying cause of psoriatic arthritis—an overactive immune system. It blocks two proteins called IL-12 and IL-23 that may play a role in active psoriatic arthritis. STELARA® may help reduce joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, as well as plaque thickness, scaling, and redness.

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 infections, cancer, serious allergic reactions and a rare condition called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Please read the Important Safety Information below and the Medication Guide for STELARA® to learn more about these and other risks for STELARA®. Discuss any questions you have with your doctor.

ABOUT STELARA® INJECTION SUPPORT

The first step in self-injecting is for you and your doctor to decide if self-injection is right for you. If your 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®. Do not try to inject STELARA® yourself until you have been shown the right way to give the injections by your doctor or nurse. Please note that your first dose will always be given at the doctor’s office.

Please read the Important Safety Information below and the Medication Guide for STELARA® to learn more about these and other risks for STELARA®. Discuss any questions you have with your doctor.

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.

Janssen Nurse Support* can help answer questions about giving yourself an injection at home, preparing your injection site prior to self-injecting, and properly disposing of your used syringe.

Connect with Janssen Nurse Support at 877-CarePath (877-227-3728), available Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET. At all other times, a nurse will typically return your call in 15 minutes. You can also watch the video on our Injection Support page.

*Janssen Nurse Support is limited to education about your Janssen medication, its administration, and/or the condition it treats. It is not intended to provide medical advice, replace a treatment plan you receive from your doctor or nurse, or serve as a reason for you to start or stay on treatment.

Syringe Disposal

Put the used syringe in a puncture-resistant container (sharps disposal container) right away after use. Do not throw away loose syringes in your household trash. Follow your community’s guidance for the right way to dispose of your sharps container. Always keep the sharps disposal container out of the reach of children. Call Janssen CarePath for STELARA® at 877-CarePath (877-227-3728), Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET, for a free sharps disposal container.

Do not miss any doses of STELARA®. If you forget to use STELARA® at your scheduled time, call your healthcare provider.

ABOUT STELARA® STORAGE AND STABILITY

STELARA® must be stored in the refrigerator (but NOT in the freezer compartment). STELARA® should not be frozen or shaken. Keep the product 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 to 8°C). Never keep STELARA® beyond the expiration date printed on the carton and the label. If your STELARA® has been stored outside of the recommended temperature ranges, contact Janssen Medical Information at 1-800-JANSSEN (1-800-526-7736) for more information.

Common Questions About Cost Savings & Insurance Coverage

Understanding your insurance coverage can be tricky. Since coverage policies can vary from plan to plan, it’s important to check if your pharmacy and medical benefits cover STELARA®. Our Janssen CarePath Care Coordinators can help you learn about and verify your insurance benefits. They’ll also help explain your potential out-of-pocket medication costs for STELARA®. You can contact Janssen CarePath at 877-CarePath (877-227-3728), Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET. Please have your insurance information available when you call.

eligible patients pay for each dose

If you use commercial or private health insurance to pay for your medication:

Janssen CarePath Savings Program for STELARA®

Eligible patients using commercial insurance can save on out-of-pocket medication costs for STELARA®. Eligible patients pay $5 for each dose. Maximum program benefit per calendar year shall apply. Not valid for patients using Medicare, Medicaid, or other government-funded programs to pay for their medications. Terms expire at the end of each calendar year and may change. Program does not cover the cost to give you your treatment. See full eligibility requirements.

Common Questions About STELARA® FOR CHILDREN 6 AND UP

STELARA® is indicated to treat moderate or severe plaque psoriasis in children ages 6 years and older who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).

STELARA® is indicated to treat adults and children 6 years and older with active psoriatic arthritis.

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®.

For patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

In a clinical study at 12 weeks, nearly 7 out of 10 adolescent patients (ages 12-17) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis were rated as cleared or minimal and 8 out of 10 saw at least 75% clearer skin. Individual results may vary. STELARA® is also approved for pediatric patients ages 6-11 with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The safety and effectiveness of STELARA® has been established in both adolescent and pediatric* patients.

*Pediatric patients knew they were on STELARA® for the entire study.

For pediatric patients ages 6 and up with active psoriatic arthritis

Use of STELARA® in pediatric patients with active PsA is based on the established efficacy and existing safety profile of adult and pediatric patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and adult patients with active PsA.

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