Cosentyx (secukinumab) is a prescription drug used to treat multiple conditions, including plaque psoriasis in adults and children ages 6 years and older. Cosentyx is not available as a generic or biosimilar drug.

While this article focuses on the use of Cosentyx for plaque psoriasis, the drug is also used to treat:

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects your skin. Specifically, plaque psoriasis causes thick, discolored plaques (patches) on your skin. These patches commonly occur on the elbows, knees, or scalp.

Cosentyx is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from living cells. It contains the active ingredient secukinumab.

Cosentyx comes as a liquid solution in these forms:

  • Sensoready pen
  • UnoReady pen
  • prefilled syringe

If your doctor prescribes the Sensoready pen, UnoReady pen, or prefilled syringe, you’ll receive Cosentyx as an injection under your skin.

This article gives details on Cosentyx and its use in treating psoriasis. See this in-depth Cosentyx article for more information about the drug’s other uses.

See the following sections for information on the dosage of Cosentyx and how you’ll receive your doses.

What’s the typical dosage of Cosentyx?

Recommended dosages of Cosentyx vary based on the condition being treated and whether the drug is prescribed for an adult or a child. The following are typical dosages of the drug for plaque psoriasis. For more information on the dosage of Cosentyx for all the conditions it treats, check out this in-depth Cosentyx dosing article.

For plaque psoriasis in adults

For adults with plaque psoriasis, the usual dosage of Cosentyx is 300 milligrams (mg), given as an injection under your skin. You’ll get Cosentyx injections each week for the first five doses. After that, you’ll get a dose once every 4 weeks.

Cosentyx is available as a single-use prefilled syringe or Sensoready pen, both of which contain 150 mg of the drug. If you’re using a dose of 300 mg, you’ll need to inject twice for each dose. These injections should be done on the same day.

For some people, a dose of 150 mg may be enough to treat symptoms of plaque psoriasis. Talk with your doctor about the best dosage for you. They’ll determine the right Cosentyx dosing for your specific condition.

For plaque psoriasis in children

For children ages 6 years and older with plaque psoriasis, dosage is based on body weight in kilograms (kg). (For reference, one kilogram equals about 2.2 pounds [lb].)

For a child weighing less than 50 kg (about 110 lb), a dose of 75 mg is recommended.

For children weighing 50 kg or more, a dose of 150 mg is recommended.

For use in children, Cosentyx comes as a single-dose prefilled syringe that contains 75 mg of the drug.

The dosing schedule for children is the same as for adults. Your child should get a dose of Cosentyx each week for the first five doses. After that, they’ll get a dose once every 4 weeks.

How do you use Cosentyx?

Cosentyx comes as a liquid solution in these forms:

  • Sensoready pen
  • UnoReady pen
  • prefilled syringe

You’ll receive Cosentyx as an injection under your skin.

Your doctor can help determine which form of the drug is the best fit for you.

You may receive your first dose at your doctor’s office so they can show you how to inject the drug. After that, you’ll likely give yourself injections at home.

If you’re using Cosentyx at home, you’ll take your dose out of the refrigerator about 15 to 30 minutes before your injection. You can inject your medication into:

  • the front of your upper legs
  • your upper outer arms (if someone else injects it for you)
  • your lower abdomen (belly), but not within 2 inches of your belly button

Do not inject Cosentyx into tender or bruised skin or skin that’s discolored, scaly, or hard from psoriasis plaques. You should rotate the sites you use for each injection.

For helpful videos with step-by-step instructions and tips on how to use the prefilled syringe and the Sensoready pen, visit the manufacturer’s website. If you still have questions about how to inject Cosentyx, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How often should I use Cosentyx?

You may get doses of the drug more often at the start of Cosentyx treatment than later on in your treatment. This is to help the medication work more quickly in your body.

Talk with your doctor to find out how often you’ll need doses of this drug.

Using Cosentyx for plaque psoriasis may cause side effects in some people. These side effects can be mild or serious.

The following lists include some of the main side effects that have been reported in people using Cosentyx for plaque psoriasis. Cosentyx is also approved to treat other conditions, and side effects may differ depending on the condition being treated.

For information about other possible side effects of this drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also learn more from this Cosentyx side effects article or from the drug’s prescribing information.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Cosentyx and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

What are mild side effects of Cosentyx?

Cosentyx may cause you to experience some mild side effects, including:

In many cases, mild side effects from this drug are temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if side effects are ongoing, bothersome, or severe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What are serious side effects of Cosentyx?

Although they’re less common, serious side effects can occur during Cosentyx treatment. Examples of serious side effects that can happen with this medication include:

Call your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects while using Cosentyx. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Cosentyx.

Is Cosentyx a steroid?

No, Cosentyx isn’t a steroid. It’s a type of biologic drug called a monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are immune system proteins made in a lab that work to decrease inflammation. This includes inflammation that causes the conditions Cosentyx treats.

Will Cosentyx cure my psoriasis?

No, Cosentyx will not cure your psoriasis. Currently, there is no cure for this condition. But Cosentyx can treat your psoriasis symptoms so that you have fewer plaques (or none at all) during your treatment. You may also notice a decrease in other symptoms, such as pain or itchiness.

How does Cosentyx compare with Humira or Stelara for treating psoriasis?

Cosentyx, Humira, and Stelara are all approved treatment options for psoriasis. All three drugs are shown to be effective at treating this condition. However, they may have different dosages, side effects, and drug interactions.

To learn more about how Cosentyx and Humira are alike and different, see “How does Cosentyx compare to Humira?” in this in-depth Cosentyx article. For information on the differences between Humira and Stelara, see this Stelara vs. Humira article.

Talk with your doctor to determine the best treatment based on other medical conditions you may have and other drugs you take.

Can using Cosentyx make my plaque psoriasis worse?

No, Cosentyx should not make your plaque psoriasis worse. If you believe your psoriasis is getting worse during your Cosentyx treatment, talk with your doctor. They may be able to determine the cause of your worsening symptoms, or they may recommend that you switch to a different treatment.

Does Cosentyx treat scalp psoriasis?

Yes, Cosentyx can be used to treat scalp psoriasis. This type of psoriasis causes patches on the scalp that are thick, scaly, and discolored. Studies have shown that Cosentyx is an effective treatment option for plaque psoriasis on your scalp.

If you’re interested in Cosentyx for treating scalp psoriasis, talk with your doctor.

Cosentyx is approved to treat plaque psoriasis in adults and children ages 6 years and older. Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the skin. Specifically, plaque psoriasis causes thick, discolored patches on the skin.

These patches may be painful or itchy, and may have white buildup. Plaque psoriasis can affect any part of the body, but it commonly occurs on the knees, elbows, and scalp.

How does Cosentyx work?

Experts believe psoriasis may be caused by an overactive immune system. This causes inflammation in your body and may lead to psoriasis symptoms.

A protein in your body called IL-17A may be responsible for an overactive immune system that leads to inflammation. Cosentyx works by blocking IL-17A in your body. This decreases inflammation, which can reduce your symptoms.

How long does it take Cosentyx to work?

Cosentyx will begin to work as soon as you get your first injection, but it may take a few weeks before you notice its effect on your symptoms. This is because it takes time for the drug to build up in your body.

The price you’ll pay for Cosentyx depends on several factors. These can include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, the pharmacy you use, and your location. The price also depends on the cost of any appointments to receive doses of Cosentyx from a healthcare professional.

Cosentyx is a brand-name drug that isn’t available in a biosimilar form. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs, but unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologics.) Brand-name drugs usually cost more than generics or biosimilars.

To save money on your Cosentyx prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.

Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes thick, discolored plaques (patches) on your skin. These patches may be painful or itchy and may have white buildup in them.

Plaque psoriasis can affect any part of the body, but it commonly occurs on the knees, elbows, and scalp. It’s believed psoriasis may be due to an overactive immune system, which causes inflammation (swelling and damage) in your body. This may lead to the symptoms of plaque psoriasis.

What are the symptoms of plaque psoriasis?

Symptoms of plaque psoriasis include:

  • dry, cracked patches of skin
  • discolored patches of skin with white or silvery scales
  • itchy or burning skin

Who is Cosentyx prescribed for?

Cosentyx is approved for use in adults and children ages 6 years and older with plaque psoriasis. Specifically, Cosentyx can be prescribed for people with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are eligible for phototherapy (light treatment) or systemic therapy (treatment that affects the whole body).

Cosentyx has other approved uses in addition to treating plaque psoriasis. See this in-depth Cosentyx article for more information about other conditions this drug treats.

If you have any questions about whether Cosentyx may be a treatment option for you, talk with your doctor.

Cosentyx is an effective treatment option for people with plaque psoriasis. The American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation recommend Cosentyx in their guidelines as a treatment option for people with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

For more information on the effectiveness of Cosentyx for plaque psoriasis, see the manufacturer’s website. And to learn whether Cosentyx may be an effective treatment option for you, talk with your doctor.

Before starting Cosentyx, there’s some important information to keep in mind. This drug may not be a safe option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Some of these are listed here.

If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors apply to you, talk with your doctor before using Cosentyx:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.