Cosentyx, a biologic medication used to treat psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, has been linked to liver damage in some patients. According to a study published in the journal Hepatology, Cosentyx has been associated with elevated liver enzymes, a sign of liver damage [1]. The risk of liver damage appears to be low, but it is still a potentially serious side effect that patients should be aware of [2].
The prescribing information for Cosentyx warns of the risk of liver damage, including cases of severe liver injury, such as acute liver failure [3]. The manufacturer of Cosentyx, Novartis, has implemented a monitoring system to track liver enzyme levels in patients taking the medication.
As a precautionary measure, patients taking Cosentyx should have their liver enzyme levels regularly monitored by their healthcare provider. Symptoms of liver damage may include yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools, and loss of appetite [4].
DrugPatentWatch.com notes that the patent for Cosentyx expires in 2029, which may lead to increased competition and potentially lower costs for the medication in the future [5].
Sources:
[1] - Hepatology study on Cosentyx and liver damage: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hep.29484
[2] - FDA prescribing information for Cosentyx: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/125574s000lbl.pdf
[3] - Cosentyx manufacturer’s warning on liver damage: https://www.cosentyx.com/safety-warnings.html
[4] - Mayo Clinic article on liver damage symptoms: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/liver-damage/basics/definition/sym-20050385
[5] - DrugPatentWatch.com information on Cosentyx patent expiration: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/US125574