How Does Cosentyx Work | COSENTYX® (secukinumab) (2024)

FAQs

How Does Cosentyx Work | COSENTYX® (secukinumab)? ›

COSENTYX is the first FDA-approved biologic of its kind to treat AS by targeting a molecule called IL-17A, one of the molecules that could play a role in inflammation in people with ankylosing spondylitis. A biologic is a protein-based medication that is made from living sources and taken by injection or infusion.

Mechanism of Action

Cosentyx (secukinumab) is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the interleukin-17A (IL-17A) cytokine and inhibits its interaction with the IL-17 receptor. IL-17A is a naturally occurring cytokine that is involved in normal inflammatory and immune responses.

Cosentyx works by binding to IL-17A and preventing it from working. By preventing IL-17A from acting, Cosentyx helps decrease inflammation in your body.

The biologic drug Cosentyx (secukinumab) can weaken your immune system, increasing your risk of infection. Two of the most common adverse reactions to the drug were colds and upper respiratory tract infections in clinical trials, but this occurred in less than 1% of people.

Secukinumab works by blocking the effects of this protein, to reduce inflammation and the problems it can cause, such as joint pain and stiffness. It's a long-term treatment. Depending on your condition, it may take between three weeks and a year of taking secukinumab before you start to see the benefits.

In the few real-life studies addressing the topic of psoriatic arthritis and axial PsA, secukinumab was effective and safe in controlling disease outcomes (such as DAPSA and MDA), with survival ranging from 40% to 70% at 2 years depending on the number of prior anti-TNFAalpha-based lines of therapy [22,32].

Among those moderate to severe plaque psoriasis patients who kept a symptom diary (39% of people), people taking COSENTYX reported an improvement in symptoms like pain, itching, and scaling at 12 weeks, compared with those not taking COSENTYX (placebo) in the studies.

Cosentyx is also expensive due to its innovative, highly effective biologic technology. Biologic DMARDs like Cosentyx, designed from living cells, offer targeted treatment for inflammation, but they come at a higher cost.

About 61% of people with ankylosing spondylitis who took Cosentyx had their symptoms ease by at least 20% after 16 weeks. This is compared to 28% of people who took a placebo. About 40% of people with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis who took Cosentyx had their symptoms ease by at least 40% after 16 weeks.

Weight loss and weight gain aren't side effects of Cosentyx. In clinical trials, Cosentyx didn't increase or decrease people's weight in any way. However, other medications in the same class as Cosentyx can cause weight changes. (A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.)

Does cosentyx cause fatigue? ›

No, Cosentyx shouldn't cause fatigue (low energy). Fatigue wasn't seen in studies of Cosentyx. However, fatigue is a side effect of methotrexate (Trexall, Rasuvo, Otrexup), which you may use with Cosentyx. Fatigue can also be a symptom of psoriatic arthritis and other conditions that Cosentyx treats.

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.

For people with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, COSENTYX is taken once a week for 5 weeks, then once every 4 weeks thereafter.

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.

Since its approval there have been no reports of idiosyncratic, clinically apparent liver injury attributed to secukinumab therapy. However, prospective studies have shown that secukinumab can induce reactivation of hepatitis B in persons with preexisting HBsAg or antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc).

COSENTYX^® (secukinumab) IS THE FIRST* AND #1 PRESCRIBED BIOLOGIC TREATMENT OF ITS KIND. *Across all indications. Treatment for PsA that targets IL-17A, one of the multiple molecules in the body that may play a role in inflammation.

COSENTYX is the first FDA-approved biologic of its kind, an IL-17A blocker.

No, Cosentyx isn't a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. Instead, it's a kind of drug called a monoclonal antibody. (These are immune system proteins that are made in a lab.) Like TNF inhibitors, Cosentyx works by stopping inflammation in your body.

The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an ASAS20 response with Cosentyx 300 mg at Week 12. The key secondary endpoint was ASAS20 response with Cosentyx 150 mg at Week 12 after superiority of Cosentyx 300 mg was established.