Key facts about Guselkumab
What dosages is Guselkumab available in?
Guselkumab is available as a 100 mg/mL in a single-dose prefilled syringe or single-dose One-Press patient-controlled injector to be given as a subcutaneous injection.
What is Guselkumab used for?
Guselkumab is a monoclonal antibody that is used to treat:
- Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, in people who might benefit from systemic therapy (e.g., pills or injections) or treatment using ultraviolet (UV) light
- Active psoriatic arthritis
How does Guselkumab work?
Guselkumab is a monoclonal antibody. It blocks a protein called interleukin-23 (IL-23) in your body, which normally activates your immune system. By blocking IL-23, Guselkumab lowers inflammation (swelling) in your body to treat symptoms of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
How do I take Guselkumab?
- Guselkumab is dosed the same for treating plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. You’ll start out with one injection at week 0 and one injection at week 4. Then, you’ll receive an injection every 8 weeks
- Week 0 (first day of treatment): Inject 100 mg under the skin once
- Week 4: Inject 100 mg under the skin once
- Week 12 and every 8 weeks afterward: Inject 100 mg under the skin once
Is it safe for me to take Guselkumab?
Guselkumab is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.
Guselkumab Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Guselkumab:
- Upper respiratory infection (e.g., sore throat, common cold)
- Headache
- Injection site reactions (e.g., redness, swelling, itching)
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
Guselkumab Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Guselkumab. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reactions: skin rash, hives, itching, swelling of face or tongue, trouble breathing, chest tightness
- Infections: fever, trouble breathing, cough that won’t go away, night sweats, confusion, feeling very tired, diarrhea, chills, muscle aches
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Guselkumab
The following medications may interact with Guselkumab:
- Upon initiation of Guselkumab in patients who are receiving concomitant CYP450 substrates, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic index, consider monitoring for therapeutic effect or drug concentration and consider dosage adjustment as needed
Who makes Guselkumab?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is Guselkumab safe in pregnancy?
It is not known if Guselkumab will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while receiving Guselkumab talk to your healthcare provider. There is a pregnancy registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women
exposed to Guselkumab during pregnancy. Patients should be encouraged to enroll in the registry by visiting Mother to baby
Guselkumab-Guselkumab, by calling 1-877-311-8972, or emailing MotherToBaby@health.ucsd.edu.
