Secukinumab
About
Secukinumab belongs to the class of monoclonal antibodies. It is primarily indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in patients six years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients two years and older; adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS), adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA).
Secukinumab consists of Secukinumab. It works by inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that contribute to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Secukinumab is a parenteral medicine. A trained healthcare professional will administer it. Hence, do not self-administer. Secukinumab may cause side effects such as mild nose and throat infection, diarrhoea, upper respiratory tract infection, and injection site reactions. These side effects do not require medical attention or resolve over time.
Before taking Secukinumab, inform your doctor about all your allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to medicines or food. Also, tell your doctor about your medical history and other medications you are currently taking to rule out any potential negative effects. Secukinumab is not recommended if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking secukinumab, notify your healthcare professional immediately. Breastfeeding mothers should inform the physician whether to stop or nurse the child while on treatment.
Uses of Secukinumab
Medicinal Benefits
Secukinumab consists of Secukinumab, which belongs to the class of monoclonal antibodies. Secukinumab binds to the interleukin-17A cytokine and inhibits the interaction with the IL-17 receptor. In simple terms, it inhibits the release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that contribute to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This helps reduce inflammation and pain, redness, and inflammation (swelling) caused by various autoimmune diseases.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Secukinumab
- Cold symptoms (mild infection of the nose and throat)
- Diarrhea
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Injection site reactions
- Difficulty breathing
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking Secukinumab, inform your doctor about all your allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to medicines or food. Also, tell your doctor about your medical history and other medications you are currently taking to rule out any potential negative effects. Secukinumab is not recommended in populations with serious infections, hypersensitivity reactions, Tuberculosis (TB), inflammatory bowel disease, and Eczematous Eruptions (skin reactions). So, inform your healthcare professional about all your medical conditions and any allergic reactions to food or medications. Do not take any vaccinations, especially live while on therapy with this medicine. Secukinumab is not recommended if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking secukinumab, notify your healthcare professional immediately. A breastfeeding mother should inform the physician whether to stop or nurse the child while on treatment.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Secukinumab may interact with other immunosuppressants (e.g. adalimumab, certolizumab), immunomodulating medication (e.g. fingolimod), antirheumatic drug (e.g. leflunomide), and vaccines (e.g. BCG vaccine, dengue vaccine)
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Secukinumab interacts with disease conditions, including infections (bacterial/fungal/protozoal/viral), Tuberculosis (TB), and inflammatory bowel disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Secukinumab. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant, inform your doctor before receiving Secukinumab. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known whether Secukinumab passes into human milk. Hence, if breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Secukinumab. Your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding for a certain period.
Driving
not applicableSecukinumab will be administered in the hospital setting. Hence, driving and operating machines is not recommended.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Secukinumab if you have any history of liver disease. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a history of kidney disease, let your doctor know before receiving the Secukinumab. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
safe if prescribedThe use of Secukinumab in pediatric patients is safe if prescribed by the paediatrician. The doctor will administer the dose based on the condition of your children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a healthy body weight because obesity can lead to joint pain. Please avoid strenuous exercise as it may aggravate your arthritis-related joint pain. Instead, you can stretch and engage in low-impact aerobic exercises such as treadmill walking, biking, and swimming. Lifting light weights can also help improve your muscle strength.
- Increase your intake of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, vitamin D, and calcium-rich supplements. Aside from that, turmeric and fish oils can help reduce tissue inflammation.
- Include fish such as salmon, trout, tuna, and sardines in your diet if you have arthritis or joint pain. These fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in the reduction of inflammation (redness and swelling) and the protection of the heart.
- Your sitting posture is critical, especially if you suffer from pain or inflammation. Try to sit as little as possible and only for a short period of time (10-15 min). To alleviate pain, place a rolled-up towel at the back of your curve. In addition, if necessary, a footrest can be used.
- Follow heat or cold therapy by applying a cold or hot compress to the joints on a regular basis for 15-20 minutes.
- Relax by meditating, reading, taking a nice bubble bath, or listening to calming music.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and quit smoking.
Special Advise
- It is advised to closely monitor the patient for infections like tuberculosis during and after the treatment, though the patient gets a negative tuberculin test.
- It is essential to inform your doctor if you have any active viral, bacterial, and fungal infections before starting Secukinumab.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Plaque psoriasis: Plaque psoriasis is a most common autoimmune condition in which skin cells multiply faster than normal, resulting in white scales and itchy, red, dry patches. Certain medications, infections, skin injury, stress, and tobacco or alcohol use are the common triggers for plaque psoriasis.
Psoriatic arthritis: It is a type of inflammatory arthritis which occurs in patients with psoriasis. It could also occur in patients without psoriasis, particularly in those with a family history of psoriasis. It affects large joints in the lower extremities, the distal joints of toes and fingers, and the back and pelvis. Symptoms include inflammation of joints, difficulty moving, swelling, patches of red, scaly skin, and pain.
Ankylosing spondylitis: It causes pain and stiffness in the spine. The pain generally starts in the lower back and can spread to the neck, damaged joints, or other body parts. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms include decreased flexibility, which usually leads to a hunched-forward posture and pain in the back and joints.
Active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: It is a persistent inflammatory disorder. It is characterized by active inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac (SI) joints, which connect the lower spine and pelvis.
FAQs
Secukinumab contains Secukinumab, which works by inhibiting the release of the inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that contribute to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Do not use it if you have had a severe allergic reaction to secukinumab or any of the other ingredients in Secukinumab.
No, avoid receiving live vaccines with Secukinumab. In accordance with the national vaccination schedule, concurrent administration of nonlive vaccines may be considered, but live vaccines are considered contraindicated if given during treatment with systemic immunomodulant/immunosuppressive therapies.
