Tremfya (guselkumab) is a biologic medicine approved to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. It contains the active ingredient guselkumab, which is a biologic medication. Biologic medications are made from parts of living cells. Tremfya works by blocking interleukin 23 (IL-23).
What is Tremfya and How Does It Work?
Tremfya (guselkumab) is an interleukin-23 antagonist used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis in certain patients. Tremfya injection works by blocking a protein in your body called IL-23 (interleukin-23), which is involved in the autoimmune response and inflammation, in these conditions. Tremfya's mechanism of action (MOA) is by binding selectively to the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (IL-23), which is a naturally occurring cytokine (protein).
Administration and Dosage
Tremfya can be self-administered as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) using pre-filled syringes or pens, or it may be given as an infusion by a healthcare professional, depending on your condition and stage of treatment. Tremfya subcutaneous injection is used for initial (induction) doses and maintenance doses for all four conditions. The first two injections are usually given 4 weeks apart (induction treatment), then for maintenance treatment every 4 or every 8 weeks, depending on the condition being treated and the dose you receive.
How and Where to Inject Tremfya
The best place to inject Tremfya is into the front of your thighs or the lower part of your abdomen, avoiding the area around your belly button (stay an inch away from your belly button). If somebody else is giving you your injection, they can also administer it into the outer area of your upper arm. If you have been shown how to self-inject Tremfya, twist and pull off the bottom cap, keeping your hands away from the needle guard. Position the One-Press injector straight up and down on the skin (at a 90-degree angle). Push the handle straight down; the medication will inject as you push. The injection is complete when the handle is pushed all the way down, you hear a click, and the teal body is no longer visible.
Storage Instructions
Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Take the medicine out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature for 30 minutes before injecting your dose. Do not shake the prefilled syringe. Tremfya should appear clear to light yellow in color. Do not use the medicine if it looks cloudy or has particles in it. Tremfya can be left out of the refrigerator for NOT more than 4 hours, ONE-TIME ONLY, before being used. If it has been left out of the refrigerator for more than a few minutes, then it should not be put back into the refrigerator. If it cannot be used within four hours, then it should be thrown away.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Common and Serious Side Effects
Some people may experience mild or serious side effects while using Tremfya. It is important to be aware of these potential effects and to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
Common Side Effects
Examples of Tremfya’s more commonly reported side effects include:
- Upper respiratory infection
- Headache
- Injection site reactions
- Diarrhea
- Joint pain
Most of the side effects reported with Tremfya are mild. Examples of these mild side effects include the following. These side effects may vary depending on the condition being treated.
- Injection site reactions
- Upper respiratory infections
- Stomach flu
- Herpes (such as cold sores or genital herpes)
- Fungal skin or nail infections
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Increased levels of liver enzymes
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop using Tremfya unless your doctor tells you to.
Serious Side Effects
If you develop serious side effects while receiving Tremfya, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
TREMFYA® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Serious allergic reactions. Stop using TREMFYA® and get emergency medical help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
- Fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure)
- Swelling of your face, eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble breathing or throat tightness
- Chest tightness
- Skin rash, hives
- Itching
- Infections. TREMFYA® is a medicine that may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with TREMFYA® and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with TREMFYA® if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with TREMFYA®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, including:
- Fever, sweats, or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Blood in your phlegm (mucus)
- Muscle aches
- Warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body different from your psoriasis
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea or stomach pain
- Burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal
- Liver problems. With the treatment of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment with TREMFYA®. With the treatment of plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver before and as necessary during treatment with TREMFYA®. Your healthcare provider may stop treatment with TREMFYA® if you develop liver problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Unexplained rash
- Vomiting
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes
- Nausea
- Stomach pain (abdominal)
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine
Specific Side Effects Explained
- Injection Site Reactions: Some people may have an injection site reaction after their Tremfya treatment. This is usually a mild side effect. Injection site reactions were commonly reported in studies of Tremfya. With an injection site reaction, you may develop one or more of the following symptoms at the place where you had your injection: redness or discolorationswellingbruisingpainitchinghard lump under the skin. To help prevent injection site reactions, each time you give yourself an injection, change the injection site and avoid injecting the drug into spots that are red or discolored, tender, bruised, hard, or affected by psoriasis. If you have an injection site reaction, avoid rubbing the area or applying creams or lotions. If needed, you can help ease discomfort by applying a cold pack to reduce swelling, itching, or paintaking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen).
- Upper Respiratory Infection: Tremfya may cause an upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold. This is because Tremfya can weaken your immune system and make it less able to fight off germs that cause infection. Upper respiratory infections were the most commonly reported side effect in studies of Tremfya. You can help prevent upper respiratory infections by washing your hands or using hand sanitizer frequently, especially if you’ve been in a public placeavoiding crowds when possiblestaying away from people who are sickeating a balanced diet containing plenty of fruit and vegetables.
- Stomach Flu: Some people may get stomach flu while using Tremfya. This is because the drug can weaken your immune system and make it less able to fight off germs that cause infection. Stomach flu is an infection that you’re more likely to get if your immune system is weaker than usual. Symptoms of stomach flu can include: diarrheanausea and vomitingabdominal paingasloss of appetitefever or chillssweatingachiness. You can help prevent stomach flu by washing your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating foodavoiding sharing cutlery, plates, or towels with anyone who has symptoms of stomach fluwashing fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eatingavoiding eating raw or undercooked foods.
- Herpes: Herpes is caused by a virus. Symptoms can include: tingling, itching, or burning sensation around your mouthsmall, painful, fluid-filled sores on your lips, cheeks, or chin, inside your nostrils, or on or around your genitalsflu-like symptoms, such as fever or sore throat. To help prevent herpes, you should avoid sharing facecloths, towels, lip balms, or lipsticks with othersavoid close contact, such as kissing or sexual contact, with someone who has an active herpes infection.
- Allergic Reaction: Like most drugs, Tremfya can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies. Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include: skin rashitchinessflushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feetswelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe.
Tremfya and Weight Loss
Based on available information, weight loss is not a known direct side effect of Tremfya. In clinical trials, weight loss was not reported as a common or direct side effect.
However, it's important to consider the following:
- Infections: Tremfya can increase the risk of infections, including tuberculosis. Infections, including tuberculosis, can cause sudden weight loss.
- Underlying Conditions: The conditions Tremfya treats (plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease) can sometimes be associated with weight changes. For example, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can cause diarrhea and malabsorption, potentially leading to weight loss.
If you experience weight loss while using Tremfya, it is important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine the cause of your weight loss and help you maintain a body weight that’s healthy for you.
Other Considerations
- Alcohol and Tremfya: Alcohol doesn’t interact with Tremfya specifically. But alcohol use may affect your plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. And like Tremfya, it might make it harder for your immune system to fight germs that can cause infections.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether Tremfya is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Warnings and Precautions
Tremfya may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you start Tremfya. Factors to consider include the following:
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
- Active infection or history of infection, including tuberculosis (TB)
- Recent vaccination
- Liver problems
- Allergic reaction to Tremfya or any of its ingredients
Drug Interactions
Tremfya may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Tremfya, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.