secukinumab: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Specialist initiation and supervision are required.
• Evaluate for tuberculosis before treatment; do not start in active tuberculosis.
• Consider hepatitis B testing before initiation and monitor seropositive patients for reactivation.
• Review recurrent or chronic infection, inflammatory bowel disease, vaccination status, latex sensitivity and concurrent immunosuppression.
• Record the product name and batch number for biological traceability.
• Assess clinical response and tolerability during follow-up.

Contraindications and cautions

• Hypersensitivity to secukinumab or an excipient.
• Clinically important active infection, including active tuberculosis.

Monitoring

• Signs and symptoms of infection, including tuberculosis.
• Hepatitis B clinical and laboratory markers when serology indicates previous or current infection.
• New or worsening Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms.
• Serious hypersensitivity reactions.
• Clinical response and ongoing need for treatment.

Clinical pharmacology

A fully human IgG1/kappa monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralises IL-17A and prevents activation of the IL-17 receptor. It is cleared mainly through immunoglobulin catabolic pathways.

Formulation and product differences

• The selected product includes single-use pre-filled syringe and pen presentations.
• The removable needle caps of certain syringe and pen presentations contain a natural-rubber-latex derivative; this potential risk has not been studied in latex-sensitive people.
• Device instructions and time needed to reach room temperature differ between presentations.

Injection

Route: Parenteral

Strengths: 75 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg