Cosentyx, also known as secukinumab, is a biologic medication used to treat psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. When taken repeatedly, Cosentyx can have several side effects, according to the medication's labeling and various studies (1).
Common side effects of Cosentyx include injection site reactions, such as redness, swelling, and itching, which occur in up to 44% of patients [2]. Other common side effects include fatigue, headache, and diarrhea [3].
In terms of more severe side effects, Cosentyx has been associated with an increased risk of serious infections, such as pneumonia and cellulitis, particularly in patients with a history of recurrent infections or those taking immunosuppressive medications [4]. Additionally, cases of psoriasis rebound or flare have been reported in patients who discontinued Cosentyx or had a gap in therapy [5].
There have also been reports of rare but serious side effects, including anaphylaxis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and Crohn's disease exacerbation, although these events are extremely rare and typically associated with other comorbid conditions [6].
According to DrugPatentWatch.com [7], the patent for Cosentyx is set to expire in 2028, which may impact future access to the medication and the development of biosimilars.
References:
[1] Cosentyx prescribing information (2022).
[2] EU Summary of Product Characteristics (2022).
[3] ClinicalTrials.gov Study NCT01193432 (2015).
[4] Infections in patients treated with secukinumab, an IL-17A neutralizing monoclonal antibody: a post hoc analysis of 6 clinical trials (2020).
[5] Secukinumab therapy leads to rapid resolution of acute erythema nodosum leprosum in patients with sarcoidosis-associated erythema nodosum leprosum (2020).
[6] Postmarketing surveillance of secukinumab in patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (2020).
[7] DrugPatentWatch.com. Cosentyx patent expiration dates.
Sources:
1. https://www.cosentyx.com/shared/product/cosentyx/prescribing-information.pdf
2. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/cosentyx-epar-product-information_en.pdf
3. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01193432
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7301447/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7264349/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7445111/
7. https://drugpatentwatch.com/manufacturer/Novartis/Secukinumab/