GET THE FACTS ABOUT SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS
It’s an important topic—and one that you should always address with your healthcare team.
Here’s some background and a helpful side effects video to explain more about COSENTYX® (secukinumab)—but remember, your best source of information is your doctor.
18 YEARS
The safety of COSENTYX is well studied - with 18 years of clinical testing.†
†Across all indications combined.
There are some side effects that are more common than others. Watch Dr. Elizabeth Perkins as she explains what to look out for.
Dr. Perkins was compensated for her time.
Most commonly asked questions about safety and side effects
Do not use COSENTYX if you have had a severe allergic reaction to secukinumab or any of the other ingredients in COSENTYX. See the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients.
COSENTYX is a medicine that affects your immune system. COSENTYX may increase your serious side effects such as:
Infections
COSENTYX may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Some people have died from these infections.
Your doctor should check you for tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with COSENTYX.
If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, you may be treated with medicine for TB before you begin treatment with COSENTYX and during treatment with COSENTYX.
Your doctor should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with COSENTYX. Do not take COSENTYX if you have an active TB infection.
Before starting COSENTYX, tell your doctor if you:
are being treated for an infection
have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back
have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB
think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as: fevers, sweats, or chills; muscle aches; cough; shortness of breath; blood in your phlegm; weight loss; warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body; diarrhea or stomach pain; burning when you urinate or urinate more often than normal
After starting COSENTYX, call your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection listed above. Do not use COSENTYX if you have any signs of infection unless you are instructed to by your doctor.
Serious Allergic Reactions
Serious allergic reactions can occur. Get emergency medical help right away if you get any of the following symptoms: feeling faint; swelling of your face, eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing or throat tightness; chest tightness; or skin rash or hives (red, itchy bumps). If you have a severe allergic reaction, do not give another injection of COSENTYX.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
New cases of inflammatory bowel disease or “flare-ups” can happen with COSENTYX, and can sometimes be serious. If you have inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), tell your doctor if you have worsening disease symptoms during treatment with COSENTYX or develop new symptoms of stomach pain or diarrhea.
Severe skin reactions that look like eczema can happen during treatment with COSENTYX from days to months after your first dose and can sometimes lead to hospitalization. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop treatment with COSENTYX if you develop severe skin reactions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs and symptoms; redness or rash, itching, small bumps or patches, your skin is dry or feels like leather, blisters on the hands or feet that ooze or become crusty, or skin peeling.
Before starting COSENTYX, tell your doctor if you:
have any of the conditions or symptoms listed above for infections.
have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).
are allergic to latex. The needle cap on the COSENTYX Sensoready® pen, and 150 mg/mL and 75 mg/0.5 mL prefilled syringes contain latex.
have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). People who take COSENTYX should not receive live vaccines. Children should be brought up to date with all vaccines before starting COSENTYX.
have any other medical conditions.
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if COSENTYX can harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will use COSENTYX.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if COSENTYX passes into your breast milk.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
The most common side effects of COSENTYX include: cold symptoms, diarrhea, and upper respiratory tract infections. These are not all of the possible side effects of COSENTYX. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch ↗, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
People on COSENTYX may receive non-live vaccines, such as:
COVID-19
Hepatitis A
Flu
Polio
Rabies
Please confirm with your doctor before getting a vaccine that it's a non-live vaccine.
COSENTYX may alter your immune response to live vaccines and people currently taking COSENTYX should not receive them. Examples of live vaccines that contain a small amount of a live virus are:
MMR combined vaccine: measles, mumps, rubella
Rotavirus
Smallpox
Chickenpox
Yellow fever
Before taking COSENTYX, it is recommended to have finished all age-appropriate vaccines. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about age-appropriate vaccines and COSENTYX.
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