STELARA
Used for Psoriasis
NowPatient helps you obtain your STELARA prescription for free or at low-cost. Drug savings programs are suitable for individuals who are insured, don't have insurance or are underinsured and can't afford your medicine.
Manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
This content is intended for US audiences only
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STELARA key facts
What is STELARA?
STELARA is the brand name for ustekinumab and is available as an injection for subcutaneous or IV use.
What dosages is STELARA available in?
STELARA is available in the following:
Subcutaneous Injection
45 mg/0.5 mL or 90 mg/mL solution in a single-dose prefilled
syringe
45 mg/0.5 mL solution in a single-dose vial
Intravenous Infusion
130 mg/26 mL (5 mg/mL) solution
What is STELARA used for?
- STELARA is an interleukin antagonist that is used to treat:
- Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (Ps) in adults and children ages 6 years and older
- Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults and children ages 6 years and older
- Moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease (CD) in adults
- Moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults
How does STELARA work?
STELARA is an interleukin antagonist. It blocks proteins in your immune system called interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23 (IL-23) from working. This helps to lower inflammation and treat symptoms caused by autoimmune conditions.
How do I take STELARA?
- STELARA is typiically dosed as follows:
- Plaque psoriasis
- Adults:
- Weight 220 lbs or less: The typical dose is 45 mg injected under the skin once, then another 45 mg four weeks later. After the second dose, 45 mg is injected every 12 weeks.
- Weight more than 220 lbs: The typical dose is 90 mg injected under the skin once, then another 90 mg four weeks later. After the second dose, 90 mg is injected every 12 weeks.
- Children ages 6 to under 18 years:
- Weight less than 132 lbs: The typical dose is 0.75 mg/kg of body weight injected under the skin once, then another 0.75 mg/kg four weeks later. After the second dose, 0.75 mg/kg is injected every 12 weeks.
- Weight of 132 lbs to 220 lbs: The typical dose is 45 mg injected under the skin once, then another 45 mg four weeks later. After the second dose, 45 mg is injected every 12 weeks.
- Weight more than 220 lbs: The typical dose is 90 mg injected under the skin once, then another 90 mg four weeks later. After the second dose, 90 mg is injected every 12 weeks.
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Adults:
- Psoriatic arthritis only: The typical dose is 45 mg injected under the skin once, then another 45 mg four weeks later. After the second dose, 45 mg is injected every 12 weeks.
- Psoriatic arthritis with plaque psoriasis and weighing more than 220 lbs: The typical dose is 90 mg injected under the skin once, then another 90 mg four weeks later. After the second dose, 90 mg is injected every 12 weeks.
- Children ages 6 to under 18 years:
- Weight less than 132 lbs: The typical dose is 0.75 mg/kg of body weight injected under the skin once, then another 0.75 mg/kg four weeks later. After the second dose, 0.75 mg/kg is injected every 12 weeks.
- Weight of 132 lbs or more: The typical dose is 45 mg injected under the skin once, then another 45 mg four weeks later. After the second dose, 45 mg is injected every 12 weeks.
- Psoriatic arthritis with plaque psoriasis and weighing more than 220 lbs: The typical dose is 90 mg injected under the skin once, then another 90 mg four weeks later. After the second dose, 90 mg is injected every 12 weeks.
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis:
- Adults: The typical dose is 260 mg to 520 mg infusion into the veins (intravenous, IV) once, then 90 mg under the skin every 8 weeks.
Is it safe for me to take STELARA?
STELARA 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.
STELARA Common Side Effects
- Common side effects of STELARA:
- Inflammation of the nasal passages
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Redness at the injection site
- Yeast infection
- Bronchitis
- Stomach pain
- Flu infection
- Fever
STELARA Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with STELARA. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Serious infection: fever, cough, weight loss, muscle aches, dark urine, chills, vomiting
Severe allergic reaction: rash; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, eyes, lips, or mouth; hives
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES): headache, feeling sluggish or confused, vision changes, seizure
Swelling in the lungs: trouble breathing, cough
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on STELARA
- The following medications may interact with STELARA:
- Upon initiation of STELARA in patients who are receiving concomitant CYP450 substrates, particularly those with
- a narrow therapeutic index, consider monitoring for therapeutic effect (e.g., for warfarin) or drug
- concentration (e.g., for cyclosporine) and adjust the individual dose of the drug as needed.
Who makes STELARA?
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Is STELARA safe in pregnancy?
It is not known if STELARA will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while receiving STELARA talk to your healthcare provider.
The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.
Learn more about reporting side effects in the USDrug Savings Guide
A practical guide to saving money and receiving support with prescription costs
How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my STELARA prescription?
After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your STELARA prescription
Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.
How do the NowPatient STELARA savings programs work?
After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.
Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.
Are the NowPatient STELARA savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?
No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.
| Rx Advantage Card* for STELARA | Canadian Prescription Savings* for STELARA | STELARA Drug Coupon* | STELARA Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Insured (federal, state or government) | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured (Commercial or Private) | Available | Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Uninsured | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
*This is not insurance.
Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of STELARA?
No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below
| Rx Advantage Card* for STELARA | Canadian Prescription Savings* for STELARA | STELARA Drug Coupon* | STELARA Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Brand | Yes | Yes | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Generic | Yes | Yes | No | No |
*This is not insurance.
If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the STELARA savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?
If you are insured with Medicare and the STELARA drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.
If you are denied Medicaid for STELARA, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the STELARA prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, STELARA is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed STELARA for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.
I am commercially or privately insured and none of the STELARA prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.
If you cannot afford your copay, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.
If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the STELARA prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay?
If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:
1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for STELARA
If you are having trouble paying for your STELARA medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for STELARA you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:
- Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
- STELARA is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
- You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
- You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers STELARA
- If STELARA is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications
You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.
2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for STELARA
If you are having trouble paying for your STELARA medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for STELARA you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You live in and are being treated in the United States
- You are insured and your plan covers STELARA
- If STELARA is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications
You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.
3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for STELARA
Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your STELARA treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for STELARA you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be currently insured and have coverage for STELARA
- You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
- You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
- Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
- Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.
You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
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