Generic name: guselkumab (GUE sel KOO mab)
Brand name: Tremfya
Drug class: Interleukin inhibitors
Tremfya (guselkumab) is a monoclonal antibody that blocks a certain protein in the body that can cause inflammation and other immune responses.
Tremfya is used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults.
Tremfya is also used to treat active psoriatic arthritis in adults.
Warnings
Tremfya can weaken (suppress) your immune system, and you may get an infection more easily.
Call your doctor if you have signs of infection such as fever, sweats, chills, muscle aches, weight loss, severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, pain or burning when you urinate, cough (may contain blood or mucus), shortness of breath, or skin sores that look different from psoriasis.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Tremfya if you are allergic to guselkumab or Polysorbate 80.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis, or if anyone in your household has tuberculosis. Also tell your doctor if you have recently traveled. Tuberculosis and some fungal infections are more common in certain parts of the world, and you may have been exposed during travel.
Before you start treatment with Tremfya, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections.
To make sure Tremfya is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- an active or chronic infection;
- active tuberculosis infection that is not being treated; or
- if you have recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccine.
Make sure you are current on all vaccines before you start treatment with Tremfya.
It is not known whether guselkumab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of guselkumab on the baby.
It is not known whether guselkumab passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Tremfya is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I use Tremfya?
Use Tremfya exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Tremfya is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
The first two injections are usually given 4 weeks apart, followed by one injection every 8 weeks. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with guselkumab.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand all instructions.
Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Protect from light and do not freeze.
Take the medicine out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature for 30 minutes before injecting your dose. Do not remove the needle cap until you are ready to give the injection.
Do not shake the prefilled syringe. Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give an injection.
Tremfya should appear clear to light yellow in color. Do not use the medicine if it looks cloudy or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.
Do not inject Tremfya into an active psoriasis lesion. Avoid injecting into skin that is thick, scaly, bruised, red, or tender.
Each One-Press injector or prefilled syringe is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.
Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Psoriatic Arthritis:
100 mg subcutaneously at Week 0, Week 4, and every 8 weeks thereafter
Comments:
-This drug may be administered alone or in combination with a conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (cDMARD) (e.g., methotrexate)
Uses:
-For the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy
For the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis
Usual Adult Dose for Plaque Psoriasis:
100 mg subcutaneously at Week 0, Week 4, and every 8 weeks thereafter
Comments:
-This drug may be administered alone or in combination with a conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (cDMARD) (e.g., methotrexate)
Uses:
-For the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy
For the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using Tremfya?
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Tremfya. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu influenza) vaccine.
Tremfya side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Tremfya: hives, rash, itching; chest tightness, difficult breathing; feeling light-headed; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Guselkumab can weaken (suppress) your immune system, and you may get an infection more easily.
Call your doctor at once if you have signs of infection, such as:
- fever, chills, body aches, night sweats;
- weight loss, feeling very tired;
- cough (may contain blood or mucus), shortness of breath;
- pain or burning when you urinate;
- severe diarrhea or stomach cramps; or
- skin redness, tingling, blisters, oozing, or sores that look different from psoriasis.
Common Tremfya side effects may include:
- headache, joint pain;
- diarrhea, stomach pain;
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
- cough, feeling short of breath;
- skin infections; or
- pain, itching, swelling, redness, or bruising where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Tremfya?
Other drugs may interact with guselkumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.