Subscribe
Submit an Article to Pharmacy HQ     
Please include the author's name, title, and citations.     

STELARA- ustekinumab injection, solutionSTELARA- ustekinumab solution


  1. Patient Information
  2. Think You Have An Infection Or Have Symptoms Of An Infection Such As:
  3. What Should I Avoid While Using Stelara?
  4. What Are The Ingredients In Stelara?active Ingredient:
  5. Important Information:
  6. If You Cannot Give Yourself The Injection:
  7. You Will Need:

Patient Information 

Advise the patient and/or caregiver to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide and Instructions for Use).

Infections

Inform patients that STELARAmay lower the ability of their immune system to fight infections and to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they develop any signs or symptoms of infection[
STELARA is a medicine that affects your immune system. STELARA can increase your risk of having serious side effects, including:
Serious infections.STELARA may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Some people have serious infections while taking STELARA, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Some people have to be hospitalized for treatment of their infection.

  • Your doctor should check you for TB before starting STELARA.
  • If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, you may be treated with medicine for TB before you begin treatment with STELARA and during treatment with STELARA.
  • Your doctor should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB while you are being treated with STELARA.

You should not start taking STELARA if you have any kind of infection unless your doctor says it is okay.

Think You Have An Infection Or Have Symptoms Of An Infection Such As: 

  • fever, sweat, or chills
  • muscle aches
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • blood in phlegm
  • weight loss
  • warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body
  • diarrhea or stomach pain
  • burning when you urinate or urinate more often than normal
  • feel very tired
  • are being treated for an infection.
  • get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back.
  • have TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB.

After starting STELARA, call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of an infection (
STELARA is a prescription medicine used to treat:

  • adults and children 12 years and older with moderate or severe psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).
  • adults 18 years and older with active psoriatic arthritis. STELARA can be used alone or with the medicine methotrexate.
  • adults 18 years and older with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease.
  • adults 18 years and older with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.

It is not known if STELARA is safe and effective in children less than 12 years of age.

Do not take STELARA if you areallergic to ustekinumab or any of the ingredients in STELARA.
  • Use STELARA exactly as your doctor tells you to.
  • The needle cover on the STELARA prefilled syringe contains latex. Do not handle the needle cover if you are sensitive to latex.
  • Adults with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis will receive the first dose of STELARA through a vein in the arm (intravenous infusion) in a healthcare facility by a healthcare provider. It takes at least 1 hour to receive the full dose of medicine. You will then receive STELARA as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) 8 weeks after the first dose of STELARA, as described below.
  • Adults with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis and children 12 years and older with psoriasis will receive STELARA as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) as described below.
  • Injecting STELARA under your skin
    • STELARA is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of your doctor. In children 12 years and older, it is recommended that STELARA be administered by a healthcare provider. If your doctor decides that you or a caregiver may give your injections of STELARA at home, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject STELARA. Your doctor will determine the right dose of STELARA for you, the amount for each injection, and how often you should receive it. Do not try to inject STELARA yourself until you or your caregiver have been shown how to inject STELARA by your doctor or nurse.
    • Inject STELARA under the skin (subcutaneous injection) in your upper arms, buttocks, upper legs (thighs) or stomach area (abdomen).
    • Do not give an injection in an area of the skin that is tender, bruised, red or hard.
    • Use a different injection site each time you use STELARA.
    • If you inject more STELARA than prescribed, call your doctor right away.
    • Be sure to keep all of your scheduled follow-up appointments.

Read the detailed Instructions for Use at the end of this Medication Guide for instructions about how to prepare and inject a dose of STELARA, and how to properly throw away (dispose of) used needles and syringes. The syringe, needle and vial must never be re-used. After the cap is punctured, STELARA can become contaminated by harmful bacteria which could cause an infection if re-used. Therefore, throw away any unused portion of STELARA.

What Should I Avoid While Using Stelara? 

You should not receive a live vaccine while taking STELARA.
STELARA may cause serious side effects, including:

    • Store STELARA prefilled syringes in a refrigerator between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C).
    • Store STELARA vials standing up straight.
    • Store STELARA in the original carton to protect it from light until time to use it.
    • Do not freeze STELARA.
    • Do not shake STELARA.

    Keep STELARA and all medicines out of the reach of children.

    General information about the safe and effective use of STELARA.
    Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use STELARA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give STELARA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about STELARA that was written for health professionals.

What Are The Ingredients In Stelara?active Ingredient: 

ustekinumab
Inactive ingredients: Single-dose prefilled syringe for subcutaneous usecontains L-histidine, L-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate, Polysorbate 80, and sucrose.Single-dose vial for subcutaneous usecontains L-histidine, L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, Polysorbate 80 and sucrose.Single-dose vial for intravenous infusioncontains EDTA disodium salt dihydrate, L-histidine, L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, L-methionine, Polysorbate 80, and sucrose.
Manufactured by: Janssen Biotech, Inc., Horsham, PA 19044, US License No. 1864
2012, 2016, 2019 Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies
For more information, go towww.stelarainfo.comor call 1-800-JANSSEN (1-800-526-7736).

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
STELARA (
stel ar' a)
(ustekinumab)
injection, for subcutaneous use

Instructions for injecting STELARA using a prefilled syringe.

Read this Instructions for Use before you start using STELARA. Your doctor or nurse should show you how to prepare and give your injection of STELARA the right way.

Important Information: 

  • Before you start, check the carton to make sure that it is the right dose. You will have either 45 mg or 90 mg as prescribed by your doctor.
    • If your dose is 45 mg, you will receive one 45 mg prefilled syringe.
    • If your dose is 90 mg, you will receive either one 90 mg prefilled syringe or two 45 mg prefilled syringes.If you receive two 45 mg prefilled syringes for a 90 mg dose, you will need to give yourself two injections, one right after the other.
  • Children 12 years of age and older with psoriasis who weigh 132 pounds or more may use a prefilled syringe.
  • Check the expiration date on the prefilled syringe and carton. If the expiration date has passed, do not use it. If the expiration date has passed call your doctor or pharmacist, or call 1-800-JANSSEN (1-800-526-7736) for help.
  • Make sure the syringe is not damaged.
  • The needle cover on the prefilled syringe contains latex. Do not handle the needle cover on the STELARA prefilled syringe if you are allergic to latex.
  • Check your prefilled syringe for any particles or discoloration. Your prefilled syringe should look clear and colorless to light yellow with few white particles.
  • Do not use if it is frozen, discolored, cloudy or has large particles. Get a new prefilled syringe.
  • Do not shake the prefilled syringe at any time.Shaking your prefilled syringe may damage your STELARA medicine. If your prefilled syringe has been shaken, do not use it. Get a new prefilled syringe.
  • To reduce the risk of accidental needle sticks, each prefilled syringe has a needle guard that is automatically activated to cover the needle after you have given your injection. Do not pull back on the plunger at any time.

Gather the supplies you will need to prepare and to give your injection. (SeeFigure A)

If You Cannot Give Yourself The Injection: 

  • ask your doctor or nurse to help you, or
  • ask someone who has been trained by a doctor or nurse to give your injections.

Do not try to inject STELARA yourself until you have been shown how to inject STELARA by your doctor, nurse or health professional.

You Will Need: 

  • a syringe with the needle attached, you will need a prescription from your healthcare provider to get syringes with the needles attached from by your pharmacy.
  • antiseptic wipes
  • cotton balls or gauze pads
  • adhesive bandage
  • your prescribed dose of STELARA
  • FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. See "Step 6: Dispose of needles and syringes."

Figure A

Figure A

Step 1: Prepare the injection.

  • Choose a well-lit, clean, flat work surface.
  • Wash your hands well with soap and warm water.

Step 2: Prepare your injection site

  • Choose an injection site around your stomach area (abdomen), buttocks, and upper legs (thighs).
    If a caregiver is giving you the injection, the outer area of the upper arms may also be used.(SeeFigure B)
  • Use a different injection site for each injection. Do notgive an injection in an area of the skin that is tender, bruised, red or hard.
  • Clean the skin with an antiseptic wipe where you plan to give your injection.
  • Do nottouch this area again before giving the injection. Let your skin dry before injecting.
  • Do notfan or blow on the clean area.

Figure B

Figure B

*Areas in gray are recommended injection sites.

Step 3: Prepare the vial.

  • Remove the cap from the top of the vial. Throw away the cap but do not remove the rubber stopper.(SeeFigure C)

Figure C

Figure C

  • Clean the rubber stopper with an antiseptic swab.(SeeFigure D)

Figure D

Figure D

  • Do not touch the rubber stopper after you clean it.
  • Put the vial on a flat surface.

Step 4: Prepare the needle

  • Pick up the syringe with the needle attached.
  • Remove the cap that covers the needle.(SeeFigure E)
  • Throw the needle cap away. Do not touch the needle or allow the needle to touch anything.

Figure E

Figure E

  • Carefully pull back on the plunger to the line that matches the dose prescribed by your doctor.
  • Hold the vial between your thumb and index (pointer) finger.
  • Use your other hand to push the syringe needle through the center of the rubber stopper.(SeeFigure F)

Figure F

Figure F

  • Push down on the plunger until all of the air has gone from the syringe into the vial.
  • Turn the vial and the syringe upside down.(SeeFigure G)
  • Hold the STELARA vial with one hand.
  • It is important that the needle is always in the liquid in order to prevent air bubbles forming in the syringe.
  • Pull back on the syringe plunger with your other hand.
  • Fill the syringe until the black tip of the plunger lines up with the mark that matches your prescribed dose.

Figure G

Figure G

  • Do not remove the needle from the vial.Hold the syringe with the needle pointing up to see if it has any air bubbles inside.
  • If there are air bubbles, gently tap the side of the syringe until the air bubbles rise to the top.(SeeFigure H)
  • Slowly press the plunger up until all of the air bubbles are out of the syringe (but none of the liquid is out).
  • Remove the syringe from the vial. Do not lay the syringe down or allow the needle to touch anything.

Figure H

Figure H

Step 5: Inject STELARA

  • Hold the barrel of the syringe in one hand, between the thumb and index fingers.
  • Do notpull back on the plunger at any time.
  • Use the other hand to gently pinch the cleaned area of skin. Hold firmly.
  • Use a quick, dart-like motion to insert the needle into the pinched skin at about a 45-degree angle.(SeeFigure I)

Figure I

Figure I

  • Push the plunger with your thumb as far as it will go to inject all of the liquid. Push it slowly and evenly, keeping the skin gently pinched.
  • When the syringe is empty, pull the needle out of your skin and let go of the skin.(SeeFigure J)

Figure J

Figure J

  • When the needle is pulled out of your skin, there may be a little bleeding at the injection site. This is normal. You can press a cotton ball or gauze pad to the injection site if needed. Do not rub the injection site. You may cover the injection site with a small adhesive bandage, if necessary.

If your dose is 90 mg, you will receive two 45 mg vials and you will need to give yourself a second injection right after the first. Repeat Steps 1 5 using a new syringe.Choose a different site for the second injection.

Step 6: Dispose of the needles and syringes.

  • Do notre-use a syringe or needle.
  • To avoid needle-stick injuries, do not recap a needle.
  • Put your needles and syringes in a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use.Do not throw away (dispose of) loose needles and syringes in your household trash.
  • If you do not have a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:
    • made of heavy-duty plastic
    • can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out
    • upright and stable during use
    • leak-resistant,
    • and properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container.
  • When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your community guidelines for the right way to dispose of your sharps disposal container. There may be local or state laws about how to throw away syringes and needles. For more information about safe sharps disposal, and for specific information about sharps disposal in the state that you live in, go to the FDA's website at: http://www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal.
  • Do not dispose of your sharps disposal container in your household trash unless your community guidelines permit this. Do not recycle your sharps disposal container.
  • Throw away the vial into the container where you put the syringes and needles.
  • If you have any questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep STELARA and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Vial Manufactured by: Janssen Biotech, Inc., Horsham, PA 19044, US License No. 1864 at Cilag AG, Schaffhausen, Switzerland

This Instructions for Use has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Revised: 10/2019

2012, 2016 Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies



Your use of this website constitutes your agreement to the terms and conditions linked below:
Terms and Conditions | Resources | Sitemap
2017 © Copyright PharmacyHQ.com. Questions?
Please contact: phq.contact@gmail.com