Guselkumab
Generic name: guselkumab
Brand name: Tremfya
Dosage form: subcutaneous injection
Drug class:Interleukin inhibitors
What is guselkumab?
Guselkumab is an injectable medication used to treat two inflammatory, autoimmune conditions called plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Guselkumab is a type of biological drug called a human immunoglobulin G1 lambda (IgG1λ) monoclonal antibody. It works by blocking the action of interleukin-23 (IL-23) at its receptor. IL-23 is a naturally occurring small protein called a cytokine, which plays a role in your normal inflammatory and immune responses. By blocking the action of IL-23, guselkumab inhibits the release of small proteins called chemokines and cytokines that cause inflammation.
Guselkumab was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017. It comes in the form of a prefilled syringe and a One-Press injector.
No biosimilars of guselkumab have been approved. Biosimilars are highly similar versions of a biological drug that are designed to work in the same was as the original version of the drug, but they are not identical.
What is guselkumab used for?
Guselkumab is a prescription medicine used to treat adults:
- with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light)
- with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
It is not known if guselkumab is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
Important information
Guselkumab may cause serious side effects, including:
- Serious allergic reactions. Stop using guselkumab and get emergency medical help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
- fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure)
- swelling of your face, eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
- trouble breathing or throat tightness
- chest tightness
- skin rash, hives
- itching
- Infections. Guselkumab is a medicine that may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with guselkumab and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with guselkumab if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with guselkumab.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, including:- fever, sweats, or chills
- cough
- shortness of breath
- blood in your phlegm (mucus)
- muscle aches
- warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body different from your psoriasis
- weight loss
- diarrhea or stomach
