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Stelara Medication Information
Many treatments are available for psoriasis, including:
- Medicines applied to the skin (topical treatment)
- Light treatments (phototherapy)
- Psoriasis medication, whether by mouth or injection, that treats the whole immune system (systemic therapy).
Stelara™ (ustekinumab) is a psoriasis medication that is a type of systemic therapy. This injected drug is approved to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy. The second injection is given four weeks after the first. After that, the injections are given every 12 weeks.
Although the drug is generally well tolerated, it is not suitable for everyone. Before using Stelara, make sure your healthcare provider has up-to-date information on your medical history and a list of your current medications. In particular, let your healthcare provider know if you have any disease that affects the immune system, such as diabetes, cancer, or AIDS.
(Click Stelara for more information on this medication. This article provides a more in-depth discussion, explaining how this prescription medicine works, what to expect while taking it, and how to ensure the effectiveness of each dose.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD