PracticeUpdate: Dermatology & Rheumatology

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See approved Product Information before prescribing. Approved Product Information available on request.
For the most up-to-date Product Information, go to:
COSENTYX® (secukinumab) Indication: Treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Treatment
of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis when the response to previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy has been inadequate. Treatment of adult
patients with active ankylosing spondylitis. Dosage and administration: Plaque psoriasis: The recommended dose is 300 mg by subcutaneous injection with initial dosing
at weeks 0, 1, 2 and 3, followed by monthly maintenance dosing starting at week 4. Each 300 mg dose is given as two subcutaneous injections of 150 mg. Psoriatic arthritis:
The recommended dose is 150 mg by subcutaneous injection with initial dosing at Weeks 0, 1, 2 and 3, followed by monthly maintenance dosing starting at Week 4. For patients
who are anti-TNF α inadequate responders or patients with concomitant moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, the recommended dose is 300 mg by subcutaneous injection
with initial dosing at Weeks 0, 1, 2 and 3, followed by monthly maintenance dosing starting at Week 4. Each 300 mg dose is given as two subcutaneous injections of 150 mg.
Ankylosing spondylitis: The recommended dose is 150 mg by subcutaneous injection with initial dosing at Weeks 0, 1, 2 and 3, followed by monthly maintenance dosing starting at
Week 4. Contraindications: Severe hypersensitivity reactions to the active substance or to any of the excipients. Clinically important, active infections. Precautions: Infections:
Caution in patients with chronic or history of recurrent infection. If a patient develops a serious infection, the patient should be closely monitored and Cosentyx should not be
administered until the infection resolves. Anti-tuberculosis therapy should be considered prior to initiation in patients with latent tuberculosis. Cosentyx should not be given to patients
with active tuberculosis. Crohn’s disease: Caution should be exercised, when prescribing to patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Exacerbations, in some cases serious, occurred
during clinical trials in plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. In addition, new onset inflammatory bowel disease cases occurred in clinical trials. Patients
should be monitored for signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. Hypersensitivity reactions: Rare cases of anaphylactic reactions have been observed during clinical
trials. Administration should be discontinued immediately and appropriate therapy initiated if an anaphylactic or other serious allergic reaction occurs. Latex-sensitive individuals: The
removable cap of the Cosentyx pre-filled syringes/pen contains a derivative of natural rubber latex. Vaccinations: Cosentyx should not be given concurrently with live vaccines. Pregnancy:
Cosentyx should be used during pregnancy only if the benefits clearly outweigh the potential risks. Breast-feeding: Caution should be exercised when Cosentyx is administered to a
woman who is breast-feeding. Interactions: Live vaccines should not be given concurrently with Cosentyx. Side effects: Very common (≥10%): nasopharyngitis. Common (1 to
10%): upper respiratory tract infection, rhinitis, pharyngitis, oral herpes, diarrhoea, urticaria, rhinorrhoea, headache, nausea, hypercholesterolemia. Uncommon (0.1 to 1%): sinusitis,
tonsillitis, oral candidiasis, neutropenia, tinea pedis, otitis externa, conjunctivitis. In clinical trials, major adverse cardiovascular events events were rarely observed in patients receiving
secukinumab. In the overall secukinumab program, the exposure adjusted incidence rates of adjudication-confirmed cases per 100 patient-years for secukinumab was 0.40 versus 0.39
for placebo. Elevations (mainly CTCAE Grade 1 and Grade 2) in cholesterol, triglycerides and hepatic transaminases were also observed during clinical trials in patients with psoriatic
arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. (cos171016m). References: 1. Cosentyx® TGA Approved Product Information. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Limited. 17 October 2016.
2. Thaci D et al. J Am Acad Dermatol 2015;73:400–9. 3. Langley RG et al. N Engl J Med 2014;371:326–38. ® Registered trademark of Novartis. Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Australia Pty Limited ABN 18 004 244 160. 54 Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113. Ph (02) 9805 3555. Date of preparation: December 2016. SKM0416. CRD2720.
PBS Information: Section 85 Authority Required for the treatment of
severe chronic plaque psoriasis, active ankylosing spondylitis and severe psoriatic arthritis.
Refer to PBS Schedule for full Authority information.
*PASI 100 was achieved in 41.6% and 36.8% of patients
with Cosentyx 300 mg at week 16.1,3
CLEAR SKIN *1-3
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