How many stelara injections are in a starter dose?

How many Stelara injections are in a starter dose

Stelara (ustekinumab) starter dosing depends on body weight. Patients weighing 100 kg or less receive one 45 mg subcutaneous injection at week 0, followed by a second injection at week 4. Patients weighing more than 100 kg receive one 90 mg injection at week 0, followed by a second at week 4. A single injection delivers the full dose for each weight category.

What dose follows the starter phase

After the two initial injections, most patients move to maintenance dosing every 12 weeks. The maintenance dose matches the second starter injection: 45 mg for those ≤100 kg and 90 mg for those >100 kg. This schedule applies to plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

How the weight-based dosing works

A patient’s weight at the first injection determines both starter and maintenance doses. Weight is re-checked only if a clinician decides a change is needed. The 45 mg and 90 mg prefilled syringes or vials contain the exact amount required, so no dose splitting occurs.

When maintenance dosing begins

The first maintenance injection occurs 12 weeks after the week-4 starter injection. From that point, dosing continues every 12 weeks for as long as treatment continues. No additional loading doses are given beyond the initial two injections.

Can the starter dose be adjusted

Clinicians may adjust timing or skip a dose if infection, surgery, or other clinical factors arise. Dose amount itself stays fixed by the patient’s weight category unless the patient crosses the 100 kg threshold. Any change requires prescriber oversight.

What side effects are patients asking about

Common injection-site reactions include redness, swelling, or itching. Systemic effects reported during the starter period include upper-respiratory infection, headache, and fatigue. Serious risks such as serious infection or malignancy remain rare but are monitored throughout therapy.

Who makes Stelara and when does patent protection end

Janssen Pharmaceuticals markets Stelara. U.S. composition-of-matter patent protection extends into 2023, with some formulation and method-of-use patents stretching into 2024–2025. Biosimilar competition is expected after these dates expire, subject to ongoing litigation.

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