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Cosentyx (secukinumab) is a biologic medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in people age 6 and older who need full-body treatment or light therapy.

Pros and Cons From Members

MHT logo These insights are based on 617 comments about Cosentyx from MyPsoriasisTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of members and are not meant to be medical advice.

Pros:
✔️Can clear skin significantly when it works
✔️Convenient self-injection with auto-injector pens
✔️Monthly maintenance dosing after loading period
✔️Patient assistance programs available for qualifying individuals
 
 
 
 
Cons:
✖️Increased risk of infections due to lowered immunity
✖️Injection site reactions including skin discoloration and itching
✖️Gastrointestinal issues, like diarrhea, for some people
✖️May lose effectiveness over time 

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How Cosentyx Works and How It’s Taken

Cosentyx works by blocking interleukin (IL)-17A, a protein that drives inflammation and makes skin cells grow too fast in psoriasis. Stopping IL-17A helps reduce inflammation, slow down skin cell growth, and clear plaques.

Doctors prescribe Cosentyx when psoriasis is moderate to severe or hasn’t improved with creams or other treatments or when someone cannot tolerate other treatment options. 

The drug is usually given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection, using a pen or prefilled syringe. At first, it’s taken more often and then usually once a month. Injections can go in the thigh, belly, or upper arm (if someone else gives it). Children need an adult caregiver to give the shot. Some people say the injection stings briefly, but most find the process manageable over time.

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Top Advice From Members on Cosentyx

MHT logo These insights are based on 617 comments about Cosentyx from MyPsoriasisTeam members.
 

Members emphasize that while Cosentyx can provide significant relief from psoriasis symptoms, patience is essential and results vary between individuals. The medication may cause side effects like injection site reactions, cold symptoms, diarrhea, and increased infection risk, but many find these manageable with proper care.

  1. 1
    Be patient with the timeline for results.
    “It was explained to me that it can take up to three months to see real results with Cosentyx.”
  2. 2
    Be aware of increased infection risk.
    “We all know that it lowers the immune system, but we have to take those risks sometimes to get relief.”
  3. 3
    Monitor injection sites for reactions.
    “I have been on Cosentyx for almost five years. My only side effects have been a red, itchy injection site and nasal sores that are painful.”
  4. 4
    Wait to consider switching meds until after the trial time of three months.
    “If your medicine isn’t working after the trial time, ask for another.”

Connect with others who understand life with psoriasis. Join MyPsoriasisTeam for free.

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Cosentyx Side Effects

Most people tolerate Cosentyx well. In clinical trials, side effects were usually mild or moderate and affected a small number of people — often fewer than 1 in 10. The most commonly reported included:

  • Cold-like symptoms including runny nose and sore throat
  • Diarrhea
  • Mild skin or mouth infections like hives or oral herpes
  • Skin discoloration or soreness where the shot was given
  • Low white blood cell counts 

About 1 in 3 people had some kind of infection while on Cosentyx, compared to about 1 in 5 on placebo. These were mostly mild but could last a bit longer than usual.

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Serious side effects are rare but possible. Call your doctor or get emergency help if you notice:

  • Signs of a serious infection such as fever, chills, cough, or feeling very tired
  • Severe allergic reaction with rash, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face
  • New or worsening inflammatory bowel disease with symptoms like belly pain, diarrhea, or blood in stool
  • A strong, eczema-like skin rash

Always tell your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms.

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How To Save on Cosentyx

Cosentyx Connect is a support program for people prescribed Cosentyx. Eligible individuals with private insurance may pay as little as $0 through copay assistance. You can apply online or by phone by calling 844-267-3689.

Cosentyx can be expensive, and prior approval is often required. Check with your insurance provider, pharmacy, and doctor for other ways to save on this drug.

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What To Know Before Taking Cosentyx

Before starting Cosentyx, your doctor will check for tuberculosis, review your medical history (especially for infections or inflammatory bowel disease), and make sure your vaccines are up to date. Live vaccines should be avoided during treatment. Also, tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy because latex contains a protein that may trigger an allergic reaction. Cosentyx needle caps on pens and prefilled syringes contain latex. 

Cosentyx is not safe if you’ve ever had a serious allergic reaction to it or its ingredients. It may also worsen conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, so talk to your doctor if you have either one. Let them know about all medications, supplements, or vaccines you’re taking. Alcohol isn’t restricted on Cosentyx, but it can worsen psoriasis for some people.

This medication is approved for several conditions, including plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis, enthesitis-related arthritis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Dosing and results can vary by condition. While Cosentyx often improves both skin and joint symptoms, joint pain may need an additional treatment.

If you miss a dose, don’t double up — ask your doctor what to do. In case of overdose, call the Poison Control help line at 800-222-1222. If you’re pregnant or planning to be, talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you.

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Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

Is Cosentyx effective for treating psoriasis?
In clinical trials, most people with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis saw improvement in 12 weeks — between 75 percent and 87 percent of participants saw their symptoms improve by 75 percent (PASI 75). Between 54 percent to 59 percent of participants reached near-complete clearance (PASI 90). PASI stands for the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, a tool that measures how much of the body is affected by psoriasis plaques. For those with scalp psoriasis, about 57 percent had clear or almost clear scalp, compared to just 6 percent with placebo.

How quickly does Cosentyx work for psoriasis symptoms?
While some people see improvement earlier, the maximum results are typically seen after about 12 weeks.

Will Cosentyx treatment cause weight changes?
Weight gain is not listed as a common side effect of Cosentyx in clinical trials or prescribing information, though individual experiences may vary.

How does Cosentyx compare to other psoriasis treatments?
There is no single best treatment for psoriasis as effectiveness varies by individual, but biologics like Cosentyx have significantly improved outcomes for many people with moderate to severe psoriasis compared to older treatments.

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Learn More

MyPsoriasisTeam is a site where people share their experiences with psoriasis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Learn more about Cosentyx and psoriasis care:

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