Imuldosa (Ustekinumab-Srlf) for Psoriasis

Imuldosa (ustekinumab-srlf) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults and children ages 6 and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

How Imuldosa Works and How It’s Taken

Imuldosa is a monoclonal antibody, which is a lab-made protein. It binds to two immune system proteins called interleukin-12 and interleukin-23. These proteins are involved in inflammation and immune responses.

In plaque psoriasis, blocking these proteins helps reduce inflammation and slow the overactive immune signals that lead to skin plaques.

Imuldosa is a biosimilar of Stelara. This means it is made from living cells and is designed to work like the original medicine. The FDA requires biosimilars to have no meaningful differences in safety or how well they work.

Doctors prescribe Imuldosa for adults and children ages 6 and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy. Phototherapy means treatment with ultraviolet light. Systemic therapy means medicine that works throughout the body.

Imuldosa is given as an injection under the skin. It is given at the start, again four weeks later, and then every 12 weeks.

Imuldosa should be used under the guidance and supervision of a healthcare provider. In children, it is recommended that a healthcare provider give the injection. An individual or caregiver may give the injection at home if a healthcare provider decides this is appropriate and provides proper training.

Imuldosa can be injected under the skin in the upper arms, buttocks, thighs, or stomach area. Do not inject it into skin that is tender, bruised, discolored, or hard. Use a different injection site each time.

Typical Dosing for Plaque Psoriasis

The recommended dose of Imuldosa for plaque psoriasis in adults is:

Adults who weigh 100 kilograms or less — The dose is 45 milligrams at the start, 45 milligrams four weeks later, and then 45 milligrams every 12 weeks.
Adults who weigh more than 100 kilograms — The dose is 90 milligrams at the start, 90 milligrams four weeks later, and then 90 milligrams every 12 weeks.

For children ages 6 and older, the recommended dose is:

Children who weigh 60 kilograms to 100 kilograms — The dose is 45 milligrams at the start, 45 milligrams four weeks later, and then 45 milligrams every 12 weeks.
Children who weigh more than 100 kilograms — The dose is 90 milligrams at the start, 90 milligrams four weeks later, and then 90 milligrams every 12 weeks.
Children who weigh less than 60 kilograms — There is no Imuldosa dosage form that allows weight-based dosing.

This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Imuldosa Side Effects

In clinical studies of Imuldosa for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, the most common side effects occurred in about 3 percent to 8 percent of people. These include:

Nasopharyngitis (common cold symptoms, such as a sore throat or runny nose)
Upper respiratory tract infection
Headache
Fatigue (feeling very tired)

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Imuldosa can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Serious infections — Tuberculosis and serious bacterial, fungal, or viral infections can occur.
Malignancies — Cancer, including nonmelanoma skin cancer, can occur.
Serious hypersensitivity reactions — Anaphylaxis and angioedema can occur and may cause trouble breathing, swelling, hives, or rash.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) — This rare brain condition can cause headache, confusion, vision changes, or seizures.
Noninfectious pneumonia — Lung inflammation not caused by an infection, such as interstitial pneumonia, eosinophilic pneumonia, or cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, can cause cough or shortness of breath.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Imuldosa

Accord BioPharma, the manufacturer of Imuldosa, offers the AccordCares Co-Pay Assistance Program. The AccordCares Co-Pay Assistance Program also offers benefits investigation, prior authorization support and information, billing and coding information, and alternate coverage identification.

To learn more, visit the AccordCares program website, call 866-258-7151.

What To Know Before Taking Imuldosa

Before starting Imuldosa, your doctor will check you for active and latent (hidden) tuberculosis (TB).

Before starting Imuldosa, make sure your vaccines are up to date. While taking Imuldosa, you should avoid live vaccines. You should not receive the BCG vaccine for one year before starting Imuldosa, during treatment, or for one year after stopping Imuldosa.

Tell your doctor if anyone in your home needs a live vaccine. Some live vaccines may spread from a household contact to an individual taking Imuldosa.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to ustekinumab-srlf or any ingredients in Imuldosa. Do not take Imuldosa if you have had a clinically significant allergic reaction to ustekinumab products or any of the ingredients in Imuldosa.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Before starting Imuldosa, tell your doctor if you think you have an infection or have symptoms of infection.

Also tell your doctor if you:

Have any open cuts
Are being treated for an infection
Get a lot of infections
Have infections that keep coming back
Have TB
Have been close to someone with TB
Have ever had cancer
Have any new or changing lesions in psoriasis areas or on normal skin
Receive or have received phototherapy for psoriasis
Receive or have received allergy shots

Tell your doctor if you have had nervous system problems in the past. Tell your doctor right away if you have headache, seizures, confusion, or vision changes.

Imuldosa is also FDA-approved to treat psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Imuldosa, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Imuldosa for plaque psoriasis?

In two studies of adults with plaque psoriasis, ustekinumab was compared with placebo (an inactive treatment).

By week 12, 67 percent to 76 percent of people taking ustekinumab reached PASI 75. This means their psoriasis score improved by at least 75 percent. In comparison, 3 percent to 4 percent of people taking placebo reached PASI 75.

By week 12, 59 percent to 73 percent of people taking ustekinumab were rated as “cleared” or “minimal” on the Physician’s Global Assessment. This is a doctor’s rating of psoriasis severity. In comparison, 4 percent of people taking placebo were rated as “cleared” or “minimal.”

How long does Imuldosa take to work for plaque psoriasis?

The clinical study results do not say exactly when people first notice improvement in plaque psoriasis. In the adult plaque psoriasis studies, results were measured at week 12. At that time, more people taking ustekinumab had improved psoriasis scores than people taking placebo.

What tests or monitoring are needed with Imuldosa for psoriasis?

Before starting Imuldosa, your doctor should check you for TB. You should not receive Imuldosa if you have active TB. If you have latent (inactive) TB, it should be treated before you start Imuldosa.

People receiving Imuldosa should be closely monitored and have regular follow-up visits with a healthcare provider.

Your doctor should watch for signs and symptoms of infection, active TB, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and PRES. PRES is a rare brain condition that can cause headache, seizures, confusion, or vision problems.