Does tremfya cause upper respiratory infections?

What triggers respiratory infections during Tremfya treatment?

Tremfya (guselkumab) is a monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-23, a cytokine involved in inflammatory pathways. By blocking IL-23, the drug weakens certain immune defenses that keep bacteria and viruses at bay. This is why patients on anti-IL-23 therapies experience higher rates of upper respiratory tract infections than those who receive placebo.

Does Tremfya show higher infection rates in trials?

In clinical studies, upper respiratory infections occurred in 14% of patients treated with Tremfya versus 11% in the placebo group. Sinusitis and nasopharyngitis were the specific infections reported most often. These figures come from the pivotal trials submitted to the FDA.

What happens if you get an infection while on Tremfya?

Doctors usually continue the drug unless the infection becomes severe or systemic. Mild cases often clear with symptomatic treatment or short courses of antibiotics. Patients are advised to report any persistent cough, nasal congestion, or fever that does not improves within 7 days.

Can biosimilars or competitors change infection risk?

No biosimilars for Tremfya exist at present. Competitors like Skyrizi (risankizumab) and Ilumya (tildrakizumab) also belong to the anti-IL-23 class and show similar infection profiles. The difference between these agents is mainly in dosing frequency and price.

When does the Tremfya patent expire?

The compound patent covering guselkumab expires in 2031 in the U.S. Early generic or biosimilar entry would depend on successful patent challenges or settlement.