Selarsdi (Ustekinumab-Aekn) for Psoriasis

Selarsdi (ustekinumab-aekn) 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 Selarsdi Works and How It’s Taken

Selarsdi is a monoclonal antibody, which is a lab-made protein and a type of biologic medication. It blocks two immune system proteins called interleukin-12 and interleukin-23. These proteins are involved in inflammation and immune responses.

In plaque psoriasis, this helps reduce inflammation and the overactive immune response behind skin plaques.

Selarsdi 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 Selarsdi to 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.

Selarsdi is given as an injection under the skin, typically at the start, again four weeks later, and then every 12 weeks. With proper training and a doctor’s guidance, injections may be given at home.

Typical Dosing for Plaque Psoriasis

The recommended dose of Selarsdi for plaque psoriasis is based on body weight.

For adults:

100 kilograms or less — 45 milligrams at the start, 45 milligrams four weeks later, then 45 milligrams every 12 weeks
More than 100 kilograms — 90 milligrams at the start, 90 milligrams four weeks later, then 90 milligrams every 12 weeks

For children ages 6 and older:

Less than 60 kilograms — 0.75 milligrams per kilogram at the start, 0.75 milligrams per kilogram four weeks later, then 0.75 milligrams per kilogram every 12 weeks
60 kilograms to 100 kilograms — 45 milligrams at the start, 45 milligrams four weeks later, then 45 milligrams every 12 weeks
More than 100 kilograms — 90 milligrams at the start, 90 milligrams four weeks later, then 90 milligrams every 12 weeks

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

Selarsdi Side Effects

In clinical studies of Selarsdi 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

Selarsdi 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 can occur, including interstitial pneumonia, eosinophilic pneumonia, or cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. Symptoms may include cough or shortness of breath.

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

How To Save on Selarsdi

Teva Pharmaceuticals, which markets Selarsdi, offers the Selarsdi Savings Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 for Selarsdi.

The offer is not available to people who are eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or any other form of government insurance coverage.

To learn more, visit the Selarsdi Savings Program or call 844-211-7047.

What To Know Before Taking Selarsdi

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

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

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

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to ustekinumab-aekn or any ingredients in Selarsdi.

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

Before starting Selarsdi, 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
Have received or are receiving phototherapy for psoriasis
Have received or are receiving allergy shots

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

Selarsdi 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 Selarsdi, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Selarsdi for plaque psoriasis?

In two adult plaque psoriasis studies, 67 percent of people taking 45 milligrams of ustekinumab had at least a 75 percent reduction from baseline in their Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score by week 12. The PASI score measures psoriasis severity. This was compared with 3 percent to 4 percent of people taking a placebo (an inactive treatment).

In the same studies, 66 percent to 76 percent of people taking 90 milligrams of ustekinumab reached that level of improvement by week 12.

In a pediatric study of children ages 12 and older, 80.6 percent reached at least a 75 percent reduction in PASI score by week 12. This was compared with 10.8 percent of those taking a placebo.

How long does Selarsdi take to work for plaque psoriasis?

In plaque psoriasis studies, results were measured at week 12. By week 12, more people taking ustekinumab had improved psoriasis scores than people taking a placebo.

The studies reported PASI 75 results at week 12. PASI 75 means the score went down by at least 75 percent.

The studies do not say the exact earliest time when improvement starts for each person. They also do not say exactly when people first notice improvement in plaque psoriasis.

What tests or monitoring are needed with Selarsdi for plaque psoriasis?

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

People receiving Selarsdi 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.