For adults and children 6+ with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COSENTYX® (secukinumab) FOR PLAQUE PSORIASIS
WHAT IS COSENTYX?
COSENTYX is a different kind of targeted biologic. It’s the #1-prescribed treatment of its kind† and it helps treat plaque psoriasis by working from the inside out to clear skin. COSENTYX is designed to target and block the IL-17A molecule, which is believed to play a role in the inflammation that causes plaque psoriasis.
Watch this video to see how COSENTYX works.
†Across all indications combined. As of November 2025. Does not include patients under 18 with HS.
Watch real stories from real people seeing results with COSENTYX. Hear about where they started and where they are now—some clear 5 years and counting. Individual results vary.
COSENTYX has a well-studied safety profile. In 2015, COSENTYX was FDA approved to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. In 2016, it was FDA approved to treat active ankylosing spondylitis and active psoriatic arthritis in adults. Then, it was approved in 2020 to treat adults with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. It has since been approved to treat children with plaque psoriasis (6 years and older), psoriatic arthritis (2 years and older), and enthesitis-related arthritis (4 years and older). In 2023, it was FDA approved to treat hidradenitis suppurativa. COSENTYX is the #1-prescribed treatment† that targets IL-17A, which is thought to be one of the molecules believed to play a role in causing the inflammation of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Currently, over 6 million prescriptions have been filled‡ in the United States.† COSENTYX was FDA approved to treat adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in 2023, and in 2026 it was approved to treat children 12+ with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa.
COSENTYX has been studied extensively for more than 18 years in dozens of clinical trials across several indications. More clinical trials are ongoing as we stay committed to studying COSENTYX.
†Across all indications combined.
‡As of November 2025. Does not include patients under 18 with HS.
TAKING COSENTYX
COSENTYX is taken by injection, either with a Sensoready® Pen, UnoReady® Pen, or a prefilled syringe. For adults and children 6+ with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, COSENTYX is taken once a week for 5 weeks, then once every 4 weeks thereafter. Dosing can vary based on your specific condition(s). If your recommended dose is 300 mg, it’s taken as two 150-mg injections on the same day or as one 300-mg injection. For some people, a dose of 150 mg may be acceptable, which is 1 injection on one day. Get more information on dosing, and please check with your doctor if you have questions about your prescribed dose. Do not use the COSENTYX prefilled syringe if the syringe has been dropped onto a hard surface or dropped after removing the needle cap.
Your doctor or healthcare provider will show you how to take your medication. To help you feel more comfortable or for a supplemental injection training refresher, make sure to check out the helpful videos and tools.
A healthcare provider will show you how to prepare and inject COSENTYX properly before you use it for the first time. For step-by-step instructions, watch the injection demonstration videos for using the Sensoready Pen, UnoReady Pen, or prefilled syringe.
Waiting until COSENTYX is at room temperature can make the injection more comfortable. It’s best to take the medication out of the refrigerator before injecting the Sensoready Pen. Remove COSENTYX from the refrigerator and allow COSENTYX to reach room temperature (15 to 30 minutes for the Sensoready pen, the 150 mg and 75 mg prefilled syringes; 30 to 45 minutes for the UnoReady pen), without removing the needle cap. Creating a personal routine around taking COSENTYX can also help ease the process and provide comfort as you get used to injections. Finding a peaceful spot, listening to music that calms you, and celebrating with a post-shot treat are some ways to create an injection-time routine. See how others created their COSENTYX injection day routine here.
You should store COSENTYX in a refrigerator, between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Keep COSENTYX in the original carton, until ready to use to protect from light. Before injection, remove COSENTYX from the refrigerator and allow COSENTYX to reach room temperature (15 to 30 minutes for the Sensoready Pen, the 150 mg/mL and 75 mg/0.5 mL prefilled syringes; 30 to 45 minutes for the UnoReady Pen and the 300 mg/2 mL prefilled syringe) without removing the needle cap.
COSENTYX 150 mg Sensoready Pen and the 150 mg prefilled syringe may be stored at room temperature for up to 4 days, but make sure temperatures don’t go above 86°F (30°C). Write the date COSENTYX was removed from the refrigerator in the space provided on the carton. COSENTYX 150 mg Sensoready Pen and the 150 mg prefilled syringe may be returned to the refrigerator if it hasn’t been used or stored above 86°F (30°C). Throw COSENTYX away in an FDA-approved sharps container if it has been kept outside of the refrigerator and not been used in over 4 days. Do not freeze COSENTYX. Do not shake COSENTYX. Throw away (dispose of) any unused COSENTYX in an FDA-approved sharps container. Keep COSENTYX and all medicine out of the reach of children.
Upon request, we’ll send you a free Welcome Kit full of tools to help you get started and get going, including an insulated Travel Kit in case you need to take COSENTYX with you. Sign up for your free travel bag and other free resources with Novartis Patient Support.
Sign up for Novartis Patient Support online or call 1-844-COSENTYX (1-844-267-3689) to receive a free sharps container for easy disposal of your used injectors, and a prepaid label to return each one when it’s full. Do not throw away (dispose of) used injectors in your household trash.
For more information about disposing your injection device safely, download Quick Tips for Using the Sensoready Pen, UnoReady Pen, and Prefilled Syringe Instructions for Use, respectively.
Individual results may vary. In clinical trials, the majority of people taking COSENTYX 300 mg were clear or almost clear at 12 weeks. Approximately 8 out of 10 people saw 75% skin clearance, and approximately 6 out of 10 people saw 90% skin clearance. In clinical trials, many people who saw results at 1 year maintained them at 5 years.†
†After 3 years, patients and doctors were told which medication was being used. Knowing the study drug being used may affect the results.
PLAQUE PSORIASIS & PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS CONNECTION
Plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are 2 forms of psoriatic disease—a long-lasting inflammatory autoimmune condition. Many people with plaque psoriasis have a higher risk of developing psoriatic arthritis, which, if left untreated, can lead to permanent joint damage. People with psoriatic arthritis are also at risk for developing plaque psoriasis.
Those with psoriasis who have nail disease are almost 3 times more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis, and those with scalp lesions are almost 4 times more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis than those who don't. The same inflammation that causes skin plaques can produce joint pain and swelling, stiffness, and other symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. COSENTYX treats both plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, including troublesome areas like the scalp and nails.
Learn more about the connection between plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
COSENTYX SAFETY
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. Here is additional information about safety for COSENTYX.
When you’re considering COSENTYX as a treatment, you should know that COSENTYX has had a well-studied safety profile since its launch in 2015 for plaque psoriasis. Over 6 million prescriptions of COSENTYX have been filled† in the United States,‡ and it’s FDA approved to treat a number of inflammatory diseases in adults, kids, and teens. COSENTYX has been studied for more than 18 years in dozens of clinical trials, and more trials are ongoing as we stay committed to studying COSENTYX.
†As of November 2025.
‡Across all indications combined. Does not include patients under 18 with HS.
There are no known interactions between COSENTYX and food or alcohol, but it’s always best to have a conversation with your doctor. COSENTYX should not be used in people who have had a severe allergic reaction to secukinumab or any of the ingredients in COSENTYX. See the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients.
COSENTYX is an immunosuppressant and may contribute to a higher risk of infections because of its suppressive effect on the immune system. COSENTYX is a targeted biologic that specifically blocks IL-17A, a molecule that is believed to play a role in causing inflammation.
For more information, read our Medication Guide or Prescribing Information.
GETTING & PAYING FOR COSENTYX
Finding a dermatologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating autoimmune diseases like plaque psoriasis can help, as they can prescribe COSENTYX for you or a loved one if it’s appropriate. Use our doctor finder tool to connect with a dermatologist in your area.
Visit the Insurance Coverage Questions for more information
Novartis Patient Support is a comprehensive program designed to help you start, stay, and save on COSENTYX®. Learn More.
TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR
Get Specific with your doctor about what you’re experiencing. Start by capturing your symptoms with our doctor conversation starter, then visit Be Real About How you Feel to get ready for your appointment.
Use our doctor conversation starter to capture your symptoms, then check out Be Real About How you Feel for tips on how to get specific with your doctor.
Make your doctor visits easier with the right support. Visit Get Specific to see how Clyde the Guide can help you share your symptoms clearly and confidently.
Check out Be Real about How You Feel and Get Prepared for Your Next Visit for helpful advice.
Yes, to learn what questions to ask, use our doctor conversation starter to help communicate your treatment goals.
COVID-19 & COSENTYX
We encourage you to follow the Centers for Disease Control recommendations for staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
You should speak to your doctor before planning to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster. It is important that you do not make any changes to or stop your COSENTYX treatment without first consulting your doctor.
There’s no evidence to show that COSENTYX should be delayed or discontinued in patients receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
According to the COSENTYX Prescribing Information (PI), patients treated with COSENTYX should not receive live vaccines.
However, they may receive non-live vaccines.
*Limitations apply. Subject to annual co-pay benefit limit. Offer not valid under Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal or state programs. Novartis reserves the right to rescind, revoke, or amend this program without notice. Additional limitations may apply. See complete Terms & Conditions for details.
†Covered Until You’re Covered also known as Bridge Program applies to COSENTYX Subcutaneous Injection only. Eligible patients must have private insurance and a valid prescription for COSENTYX, and a prior authorization, predetermination, or medical exception that has been denied. Program requires the submission of an appeal of the coverage denial within the first 90 days of enrollment to remain eligible. Program provides COSENTYX for free to eligible patients for up to 2 years, or until they receive insurance coverage approval, whichever occurs earlier. A valid prescription consistent with FDA-approved labeling is required. Program is not available to patients whose medications are reimbursed in whole or in part by Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or any other federal or state program. Patients may be asked to reverify insurance coverage status during the course of the program. No purchase necessary. Program is not health insurance, nor is participation a guarantee of insurance coverage. Additional Limitations may apply. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation reserves the right to rescind, revoke, or amend this Program without notice.