Tremfya (guselkumab) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain inflammatory conditions, such as plaque psoriasis. The drug is available as an injection given under the skin or as an IV infusion. Its dosing frequency depends on the condition being treated.
Tremfya is used to treat the following in adults in certain situations:
Tremfya is a liquid solution that is injected under your skin. It also comes as a liquid solution that a healthcare professional gives as an intravenous (IV) infusion at the start of UC treatment. (An IV infusion is an injection into a vein given over time.) The drug belongs to a group of medications called interleukin-23 blockers.
This article describes the dosages of Tremfya, including its forms, strengths, and how to use the drug. To learn more about Tremfya, see this Tremfya overview.
Your dosage of Tremfya may depend on:
- the condition that you’re using Tremfya to treat
- other medications that you’re taking
Your doctor will recommend the best dose for you based on these factors.
Following are details about Tremfya’s forms, strengths, and typical dosages.
What are the forms of Tremfya?
For injecting Tremfya under your skin, it comes as a prefilled syringe, a prefilled pen, and a device called a One-Press injector. Each syringe, pen, and injector contains a single dose of Tremfya.
For giving Tremfya as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time), Tremfya comes in a single-dose vial.
If you have questions about Tremfya’s forms and which one may be right for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
What strengths does Tremfya come in?
Tremfya comes in the following strengths, which vary by form. The strengths are given in milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL) of solution.
- prefilled syringe: 100 mg/mL and 200 mg/2 mL
- prefilled pen: 200 mg/2 mL
- One-Press injector: 100 mg/mL
- single-dose vial: 200 mg/20 mL
What is the typical dosage of Tremfya?
The information that follows describes the dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Your doctor may adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
Dosage for plaque psoriasis
When you start using Tremfya to treat plaque psoriasis, your doctor will discuss a dosing schedule with you. For this use, you’ll receive Tremfya as an injection under your skin.
You’ll likely begin treatment with a loading dose of Tremfya. A loading dose involves taking either a higher dose than usual or more frequent doses of medication at the start of treatment. This way, the medication can start working more quickly.
For plaque psoriasis, your starter dose will likely be 100 mg. After 4 weeks, you’ll get another 100 mg of Tremfya to complete your loading dose.
After your loading dose, you’ll continue treatment with what is referred to as maintenance dosing. For Tremfya, this is one 100-mg injection every 8 weeks.
This Tremfya table shows dosing for treating plaque psoriasis.
Dose | Week |
---|---|
100 mg | week 0 |
100 mg | week 4 |
100 mg | every 8 weeks |
Dosage for psoriatic arthritis
The dosage for psoriatic arthritis is the same as it is for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (see the section just before this one). For this use, you’ll receive Tremfya as an injection under your skin.
For treating psoriatic arthritis, you may take Tremfya alone or with certain other medications. These medications are called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Your dosage of Tremfya will likely be the same regardless of whether you take it with a DMARD.
Dosage for ulcerative colitis
For ulcerative colitis (UC), there are two phases of Tremfya treatment: induction and maintenance.
Induction is meant to bring on remission (reduced or no symptoms of UC). During induction, you’ll receive Tremfya by IV infusion. Maintenance refers to the ongoing dosage that you’ll take to help stay in remission. During maintenance, you’ll receive Tremfya as an injection under the skin.
The table below shows the Tremfya dosing schedule for UC.
Phase | How Tremfya is given | Dosage |
---|---|---|
induction | IV infusion, given over at least 1 hour | • week 0: 200 mg • week 4: 200 mg • week 8: 200 mg |
maintenance | injection under your skin | • week 12 and every 4 weeks after: 200 mg or • week 16 and every 8 weeks after: 100 mg |
Your doctor will discuss with you which of the maintenance dosages is right for your condition.
Is Tremfya used long term?
Yes, Tremfya is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Tremfya is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll use it long term.
Your dosage of Tremfya may depend on:
- the type and severity of the condition that you’re using Tremfya to treat
- other medications that you’re taking
Your doctor will recommend the best dose for you based on these factors.
Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical conditions that you have and any other medications that you take. It’s possible that your doctor may have to adjust the dosage of your other medications while you’re using Tremfya.
Tremfya is a solution that you usually inject under your skin. You should not inject it into a muscle or vein.
For ulcerative colitis (UC), a healthcare professional will give you your first three doses as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time). Then, you’ll receive Tremfya doses as injections under your skin.
Injection under the skin
A healthcare professional may train you or your caregiver to give Tremfya injections at home. This means that you won’t have to visit your doctor’s office whenever it’s time for your next dose. Do not try to inject Tremfya before being trained by a healthcare professional.
Tremfya comes as a prefilled syringe, a prefilled pen, and a device called a One-Press injector. Each of these forms contains one dose of Tremfya.
Once you inject the medication, you should dispose of the syringe, pen, or injector in a sharps container or
It’s recommended that you store Tremfya in your refrigerator. Take Tremfya out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before your injection to let it warm to room temperature. Avoid warming the drug in any other way, such as using a microwave or holding it in your hands.
Where to inject Tremfya
It’s recommended that you inject Tremfya into the skin at the front of your thighs. You can also inject Tremfya into your lower abdomen, at least 2 inches away from your belly button.
If someone else is giving you Tremfya, they can inject it into the back of your upper arms.
You shouldn’t inject Tremfya into skin that’s bruised, red or discolored, hard, or scaly. You should also avoid injecting it into any skin affected by psoriasis.
For step-by-step directions on how to use Tremfya, see the manufacturer’s instructions for use or take a look at injection videos on the manufacturer’s website. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you still have questions about how to use Tremfya.
Injection by IV infusion
At the start of Tremfya treatment for UC, a healthcare professional will prepare the drug to give it to you by IV infusion. You’ll receive your infusion in a medical setting, such as a clinic or infusion center. The infusion will take at least 1 hour.
Your doctor give you details on what to expect with Tremfya infusions.
If you miss your dose of Tremfya, take it as soon as you remember. You can continue with your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.
If you miss an appointment for an infusion, call your doctor’s office to reschedule as soon as possible.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Tremfya on time or getting to infusion appointments, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm, downloading a reminder app, or setting a timer on your phone. A kitchen timer can work, too.
If you have any questions about when to receive your next dose of Tremfya, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Don’t use more Tremfya than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.
What to do in case you use too much Tremfya
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Tremfya. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Q:
If Tremfya isn’t working well for me, can my dose be increased, or can I inject Tremfya more often?
AnonymousA:
It depends on the condition Tremfya is treating.
For plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the manufacturer recommends only one dosing schedule: an initial dose of 100 milligrams (mg), another 100 mg 4 weeks later, and then 100 mg every 8 weeks. However, your doctor may recommend dosage adjustments based on other medications you take.
For ulcerative colitis (UC), after your first three doses, you may receive 100 mg of Tremfya every 8 weeks. If your symptoms aren’t easing, they may recommend increasing your dosage to 200 mg every 4 weeks.
If Tremfya isn’t working to treat your symptoms, you should talk with your doctor. They may suggest trying a different medication.
The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.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.