Have people reported changes in food enjoyment on Cosentyx?
Cosentyx (secukinumab), an IL-17 inhibitor for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, has no clinical trial data or official labeling mentioning effects on food enjoyment or taste.[1] Patient forums like Reddit and Drugs.com show rare, anecdotal reports of altered taste (dysgeusia) or reduced appetite, but nothing consistently tied to food pleasure. Most users describe no impact on eating habits.
What side effects do Cosentyx users actually mention around eating?
Common side effects include upper respiratory infections, diarrhea, and oral herpes, per the prescribing information—no taste changes listed.[1] In post-marketing reports to FDA, dysgeusia appears infrequently (<1%), often transient.[2] Appetite loss shows up in some patient reviews (e.g., 5-10% on WebMD), but users rarely link it to "enjoyment"—more to nausea or fatigue.
Could this be from something else, like the condition itself?
Psoriasis or arthritis inflammation can indirectly affect appetite via pain or stress, improving on Cosentyx for some, which might enhance food enjoyment.[3] Conversely, starting biologics can cause initial GI upset mimicking reduced taste. Track symptoms and consult a doctor to rule out unrelated issues like zinc deficiency or infections.
Patient experiences: What do reviews say?
- On Drugs.com (average 6.5/10 from 300+ reviews), a few note "food tastes off" early in treatment, resolving after weeks; most report normal eating.[4]
- Reddit threads (r/PsoriaticArthritis, r/Psoriasis) have isolated mentions of "blander food" or disinterest, but outweighed by no-change reports—e.g., "Eating fine, skin cleared."[5]
No large surveys quantify this; differences likely individual.
When to worry or talk to your doctor
If food enjoyment drops persists beyond 2-4 weeks, it could signal rare issues like allergic reaction or unrelated meds. Monitor weight/appetite; report to FDA MedWatch if severe.[2] No evidence Cosentyx patents cover taste effects (expires ~2027 in US).[6]
[1]: Cosentyx Prescribing Information (Novartis)
[2]: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)
[3]: National Psoriasis Foundation on IL-17 inhibitors
[4]: Drugs.com Cosentyx Reviews
[5]: Reddit search: Cosentyx taste/food
[6]: DrugPatentWatch: Cosentyx Patents