secukinumab at a glance
Medicine class
Fully human monoclonal antibody and interleukin inhibitor.
Administration
Injection under the skin using a single-use pre-filled syringe or pen; self-injection requires training.
Important precautions
Infection, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, inflammatory bowel disease and vaccination history should be reviewed.
What is secukinumab used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults, children and adolescents from 6 years when systemic treatment is appropriate.
Active moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa in adults after an inadequate response to conventional systemic treatment.
Active psoriatic arthritis in adults after an inadequate response to previous disease-modifying treatment, alone or with methotrexate.
Active ankylosing spondylitis in adults after an inadequate response to conventional treatment.
Active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults with objective evidence of inflammation after an inadequate response to NSAIDs.
Enthesitis-related arthritis and juvenile psoriatic arthritis from 6 years after inadequate response or intolerance to conventional treatment, alone or with methotrexate.
How does secukinumab work?
Secukinumab binds to interleukin-17A, an immune signalling protein involved in inflammation. Preventing IL-17A from activating its receptor reduces inflammatory signals and resulting tissue inflammation.
secukinumab preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 75 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg
How to take secukinumab
Secukinumab is injected under the skin. A patient or caregiver may administer it after appropriate training and with clinical follow-up.
Follow the device instructions supplied with the prescribed presentation.
Do not shake the syringe or pen.
Let the device reach room temperature as directed before injection.
Check that the liquid is clear and colourless to slightly yellow; do not use it if cloudy, distinctly brown or visibly particulate.
Rotate injection sites and avoid tender, bruised, red, scaly or hardened skin and, where possible, psoriasis plaques.
Use each device once and place it immediately in an approved sharps container.
secukinumab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Upper respiratory infection symptoms, such as a sore throat, stuffy nose or runny nose
- Cold sores
- Headache
- Diarrhoea or nausea
- Fatigue
- Eczema
Get urgent medical advice
- Serious infection, including persistent fever, breathlessness, ongoing cough, painful red skin or burning when passing urine
- Severe allergic reaction or angioedema
- New or worsening inflammatory bowel disease symptoms
- Possible tuberculosis or hepatitis B reactivation
secukinumab in pregnancy
The UK product information prefers avoiding secukinumab during pregnancy as a precaution because human data remain limited. UK pregnancy specialists state that it can be used when a specialist considers it necessary; exposure after the first trimester may affect when the baby receives live vaccines, so the maternity and vaccination teams should be informed.
secukinumab while breastfeeding
It is not known how much secukinumab enters human milk or is absorbed by a breastfed baby. Because evidence is limited, the benefits of breastfeeding and the need for treatment should be reviewed with the specialist, particularly for a newborn or premature infant.
secukinumab interactions
Tell the prescribing team about medicines, immunosuppressive treatments and planned vaccinations.
Live vaccines
Live vaccines should not be given concurrently with secukinumab; vaccination plans should be discussed with the clinical team.
Other immunosuppressants or biologics
Combined treatment may increase immunosuppression, and some combinations have not been adequately evaluated.
Methotrexate or corticosteroids
No interaction was observed when used alongside secukinumab in arthritis studies, although clinical monitoring remains appropriate.
Common questions about secukinumab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is secukinumab a biologic treatment?
Yes. It is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the inflammatory protein IL-17A.
Can I inject secukinumab myself?
Self-injection may be appropriate after training from a healthcare professional and with suitable follow-up.
Should I use secukinumab if I have an infection?
Contact the clinical team if you develop an infection. Secukinumab must not be used during a clinically important active infection, and administration is withheld during a serious infection until it resolves.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.