Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It is given as a shot under your skin, usually on the upper arms, buttocks, stomach, or thighs.

Ustekinumab-aekn injection may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital or clinic. If you are using this medicine at home, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand how to use the medicine.

You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections. Do not inject into skin areas that are tender, red, bruised, or hard.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

To use the prefilled syringe:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
• Check the liquid in the syringe. It should be clear and colorless to slightly yellow. Do not use it if it is frozen, discolored, cloudy, or has particles in it. Do not use the syringe it is damaged. Do not shake.
• Remove the needle cover when you are ready to inject the medicine. Do not touch the plunger or plunger head while removing the needle cover.
• Hold the syringe with one hand, and pull the needle cover straight off. Do not recap.
• Do not pull back on the plunger at any time. Pinch the skin with the other hand. Insert the needle in a quick, dart-like motion at about a 45 degree angle. Push the plunger all the way until the plunger head is completely between the needle guard activation clips. Keep pressure on the plunger head. Take the needle out of your skin.
• Slowly take your thumb off the plunger head. This will let the empty syringe move up until the entire needle is covered by the needle guard.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For injection dosage form (prefilled syringe):
  • For plaque psoriasis:
    • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
      • Weighing more than 100 kilograms (kg)—At first, 90 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin as a single dose, and then one dose (90 mg) after 4 weeks, followed by 90 mg every 12 weeks.
      • Weighing 100 kg or less—At first, 45 mg injected under your skin as a single dose, and then one dose (45 mg) after 4 weeks, followed by 45 mg every 12 weeks.
    • Children 6 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
      • Weighing more than 100 kilograms (kg)—90 milligrams (mg) at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks after.
      • Weighing 60 kg to 100 kg—45 mg at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks after.
    • Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For psoriatic arthritis:
    • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
      • Weighing more than 100 kilograms (kg) who also have plaque psoriasis—At first, 90 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin as a single dose, and then one dose (90 mg) after 4 weeks, followed by 90 mg every 12 weeks.
      • Weighing less than 100 kg—At first, 45 mg injected under your skin as a single dose, and then one dose (45 mg) after 4 weeks, followed by 45 mg every 12 weeks.
    • Children 6 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
      • Weighing more than 100 kilograms (kg) who also have plaque psoriasis—90 milligrams (mg) at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks after.
      • Weighing 60 kg or more—45 mg at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks after.
    • Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

If needed, you may store the prefilled syringe at room temperature for up to 30 days. Do not put it back in the refrigerator. Throw away unused medicine after 30 days.

Do not reuse syringes and needles. Put used syringes and needles in a puncture-resistant disposable container, or dispose of them as directed by your doctor.

• Before Using
• Precautions

Portions of this document last updated: July 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

• Share
• Tweet