Can I drink alcohol while taking Cosentyx (secukinumab)?
Cosentyx (secukinumab) is a monoclonal antibody that targets IL‑17A and is used for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. The prescribing information does not typically list a direct, specific interaction with alcohol the way it does for some liver-metabolism drugs. That said, drinking alcohol can still worsen some conditions Cosentyx is used to treat—especially psoriasis—and may indirectly increase side-effect risk or complicate symptom management.
What side effects might worsen if you drink alcohol?
Alcohol can aggravate the same issues many people notice with inflammatory skin/joint diseases:
- Skin flare-ups: Alcohol can worsen psoriasis in some patients, which can make it seem like Cosentyx is not working as well.
- Joint and inflammatory symptoms: In psoriatic arthritis, alcohol can worsen overall inflammation or pain for some people.
- General effects like fatigue, sleep disruption, and dehydration: These can make treatment-related fatigue or how you feel day to day harder to interpret.
Are there side effects from the combination that affect the liver?
Cosentyx is not known as a classic “liver-toxic” medication, but heavy alcohol use can still affect the liver on its own. If you have liver disease or drink heavily, you should talk with your clinician about what amount is safe, since alcohol can increase health risks regardless of drug-specific interactions.
Does alcohol increase infection risk with Cosentyx?
Cosentyx can increase susceptibility to certain infections (especially those involving the respiratory tract and candidiasis/“yeast” infections, depending on the patient and context). Alcohol can also weaken sleep and immune resilience in some people, but the key clinical question is whether you’re getting infections while on treatment. If you develop signs of infection (fever, worsening cough, mouth/thrush symptoms), you should seek medical advice promptly rather than assuming alcohol is the cause.
What should you do if you want to drink?
A practical approach is:
- Keep alcohol moderate (or avoid it) if you notice flares after drinking.
- Follow your prescriber’s guidance, especially if you have psoriasis that is sensitive to alcohol, psoriatic arthritis with pain flares, liver issues, or a history of recurrent infections.
- If you’re planning heavier drinking (events, holidays), ask your prescriber what to do based on your medical history and current side-effect profile.
When to call a doctor
Get medical advice quickly if you have symptoms that could signal infection or a serious problem, such as fever, rapidly worsening skin symptoms, severe sore throat, persistent cough, or oral white patches/pain (possible thrush).
If you tell me your Cosentyx dose schedule, how much alcohol you mean (a few drinks vs heavy drinking), and whether you’ve had psoriasis/arthritis flares from alcohol, I can help you think through the most likely risks to watch for.