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Stelara for Psoriasis User Reviews

Stelara has an average rating of 8.3 out of 10 from a total of 124 reviews for the treatment of Psoriasis. 82% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 11% reported a negative experience.

Stelara rating summary

8.3/10 average rating

124 ratings from 138 user reviews.

Compare all 280 medications used in the treatment of Psoriasis.

10
46%
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26%
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10%
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3%
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2%
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Reviews for Stelara

  • Wezzley
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 15, 2016

"46 year old male. Not to be overly dramatic, but I was ready to commit suicide my skin was so bad. My hands looked like I was a fire victim. My elbows and legs burned and bled constantly. My scalp would flake and drop into my eyes and all over my clothes. I was in constant pain, and my relationships were non existent. Flaky skin would drift off of me whatever I did. I was weeks away from having to leave work and go on disability, which would have been the end of the line for me. Depression set in so badly I just wanted to end it all. Then I found a new dermatologist. Everything changed. My first shot of Stelara made a difference. Nine months later, 90% clear. A few trouble spots, but my hands are CLEAR! What a life changer!"

8 / 10
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142 Report
  • Canad...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 16, 2014

"On Stelara for about 9 months now. It does work well on reducing my very thick, very stubborn head to toe psoriasis that I've suffered from for nearly 20 years. The reason I am only giving it a 6 rating is that the manufacturer has totally over rated their product in terms of the length of time it lasts. For me, this medicine lasts about 4 weeks at best and I need another shot or the psoriasis flares up with the vengeance of a woman scorned. If I was to wait the suggested 12 weeks the psoriasis becomes worse than before I started. As a result of this, the price of the medicine should be drastically reduced to better reflect it's true half-life."

6 / 10
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100 Report
  • RDHCh...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 19, 2013

"My Psoriasis started in my sophomore year in college (1985). Every year, my condition has gotten progressively worse. I've tried everything from PUVA, steroids, coal tar, Methotrexate, Enbrel, Humira & more. I've had success with the biologics, but got very ill with sinus infections on both Enbrel and Humira (so bad that I got vertigo and had to go to hospital via ambulance). I took 2 years off and now just started Stelara (had my "booster" second shot yesterday). My dermatologist is shocked how I've cleared already! This is a miracle and any person out there who can take it, should. I'm also sleeping so much better during the night-- not scratching in my sleep! Good luck and hopefully one day, we'll have a cure for this dreadful disease."

10 / 10
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90 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Bobh
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 19, 2014

"I am 61 and first contracted psoriasis when I was 46 years old. It started on my elbows and gradually spread to my arms, torso, buttocks and legs. The last few years have been extremely difficult with a lot of redness and flaking. I could not wear short pants or short sleeves as I was very embarrassed. Over the years I tried hundreds of over the counter creams, supplements, light treatments, saunas, baths, diets, and prescription steroid creams and ointments. Nothing worked...until Stelara. Three weeks after my first shot of Stelara I was 95% clear. Two weeks after the second shot a month later I was completely clear of psoriasis."

10 / 10
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79 Report
  • Clear...
  • November 3, 2013

"I have had psoriasis since I was 4. Been on everything from biologics to light therapy. Stelara cleared me up but not without a price. I m a very healthy,exercise minded individual. Since being on, my blood sugar is off, I have night sweats, swollen breasts, feet, hands, swollen tonsils, and tiredness. My vitamin d levels are also low. Went of stelara for 6 months and every side effect went away. Flared up and went on it again and all symptoms came back!"

5 / 10
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77 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 9, 2019

"Absolute miracle drug. You wont believe it until you've tried.I have been head to toe covered in Guttate and plaque Psoriasis since age 19. By age 28, I have explored everything thinking 'Oh, this helped a bit'..'Let's try X,y,z'....' With Stelara, its not like that. Three injections in, it felt like Psoriasis never happened. Its very odd. Even creams used to leave a sticky sensation, hardening or thickening or white rings on the skin. With Stelara, NOTHING. No side effects - no even small bother. I just cracked on with life feeling very lucky that my 15 year nightmare, poof, vanished. Sufferers forget, that actually without Psoriasis, you're skin is beautiful and radiant down there."

10 / 10
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39 Report
  • Julie...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 7, 2016

"I have used Stelara now for 8 months. After years of anguish, defeat, pain( physically and mentally) sadness, I feel freed from this terrible curse. My skin/joints looks but mainly FEELS so much better. My quality of life has sky rocketed! Your initial ground work obtaining Doctor appointments, TB testing and establishing the right dosage that is effective for you and receiving assistance helping with cost. Once you get through those things... I guarantee it IS worth it!! DO IT!"

9 / 10
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55 Report

More FAQ

  • Lisamp
  • April 14, 2016

"I have had chronic Psoriasis for 25 years, since I was 9, all over my body, face and hands. I tried Methotrexate when I was 22, and I was finally clear for the first time. I was on this medication for 12 years, with a small break to have my child. Unfortunately it just stopped working, my liver wasn't happy and my Psoriasis was coming back, BAD. My only option was biologic therapy - Humira or Stelara. I had to undergo months of tests to qualify for funding. I finally had my first injection 7 weeks ago, and without exaggeration on the second day I felt my skin changing, relaxing. A week in and it had visably got better, thinner and less angry. Now my skin is 90% clear, just some slight pinkness on my legs. And no side effects! AMAZING!"

9 / 10
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54 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 29, 2010

"I had psoriasis on about 85% of my body before I started on the Stelara. I have used virtually all the immunosuppressant medications in the past: Enbrel, Raptiva, Humira, just to name a few. They all did well for a few months, but always ended up not working. Even when they were working, I always had patches on my legs and scalp that wouldn't go away. Not with Stelara. A week after my first injection, the flakiness was gone, with the red quickly fading to pink. A month later, I had my second and within 2 weeks all spots were gone. I have now been on the medication for over a year and am currently completely free of any plague, no redness, no maddening itch. I go and have an injection every 3 months. Best medicine ever."

10 / 10
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77 Report
  • Pain-...
  • June 30, 2015

"Using Stelara has been nothing short or amazing for me. I didn't have 95% body-coverage like some of the people here but my hands were completely covered and it seemed to be spreading onto my wrists and up my forearms. The pain was excruciating and I was emotionally exhausted from constantly trying to hide what was happening to me. I'm a musician/educator and spend a great deal of time in front of people. I do feel that Stelara saved my life. I am 100% clear of all signs of psoriasis. No itch, no bleeding, no pain, just normal looking skin. I am also completely alleviated from the mental strain, anxiety, self-consciousness, etc. What an amazing change in my life."

10 / 10
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55 Report
  • Psori...
  • December 6, 2016

"I got diagnosed with psoriasis about three years ago, it wasn't bad at first so I never paid too much attention to it, and it eventually went away. About a year ago it came back, and took over my entire body. I was covered in rough, itchy, red patches and there was nothing that would fix it. I tried natural oils, salts, tanning, ointments, foams, even pills, and nothing worked. These things helped and soothed my psoriasis, but nothing really made it go away. I finally turned to Stelara and I could cry from the results. I am getting my second injection this Friday, and after only the FIRST one, my skin looks 75% better. The injection immediately caused my skin to be less itchy, and appear far less irritated. I suggest Stelara to EVERYONE!!!"

10 / 10
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47 Report
  • Bambi
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 22, 2013

"I have suffered from psoriasis for 20yrs and the condition fluctuated over this time. I have tried creams, methotrexate, light therapy and cyclosporine - none of which helped. Eventually I saw a fantastic dermatologist - I had to try 3 treatments and if they failed, I could apply for permission to try biologics. I tried Enbrel first -worked until I fell ill with tonsilitis & my psoriasis came back with a vengence. I switched to Stelara, I am about to take my 5th injection, and it has been amazing. Within weeks, I was almost clear. This was the 1st summer I've been happy to show my body at the beach! Minimal side effects too."

10 / 10
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63 Report
  • Gary...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 12, 2015

"Now 48, I have had psoriasis for 32 years. Never have I experienced a medication that has worked so well. I have been covered head to toe and I am now 95% clear. So nice to not see psoriasis in the mirror. I wish everybody can have results like mine."

9 / 10
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52 Report
  • reevsie
  • May 24, 2014

"Psoriasis cleared completely after first injection, now 6 weeks after my second one its starting to come back on my head, I'm also experiencing difficulties deep breathing while exercising and when I exert myself, also elbow and knee pain, being an active exercise person this is dramatically affecting me now,"

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56 Report
  • Clint...
  • March 14, 2014

"I had almost disabling psoriasis for 10 years. My feet was my biggest problem area, many flare ups made it hard to even walk. I too have been on everything in the past, starting with ointments all the way to Remicade, Humira, and Enbrel with little success, mostly only helped for less than 6 months. Prednisone has almost ruined my joints, and as most of you know causes weight gain. In September 2012 I got my first injection. By December I was completely clear doing insanity workouts! Over 2 years I enjoyed a psoriasis free life and it's been great! Unfortunately, I started flaring 2 months ago, and my dermatologist put me back on prednisone as my whole body is covered again. Not sure where to go from here."

8 / 10
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55 Report
  • Frost...
  • July 24, 2016

"Stelara is a life saver. I have psoriasis for over 30 years. I have tried creams, PUVA, Vit A meds, Fumiderm, Otezla nothing has worked. My last med Otezla didn't work for me and made things much worse. I had my first Stelara injection on May 7 2016. After about 10 days I could feel an improvement. After 4 weeks there was a dramatic improvement and I was almost clear. It is 9 weeks since my second injection and my life has changed in so many ways for the better thanks to this medicine. There is a slight redness where some of the patches were but the dermatologist assures me these will fade. I have no side affects whatsoever. Thank you for this life changing medicine and for restoring my self esteem after all this time"

10 / 10
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45 Report
  • Liver...
  • June 18, 2016

"I had 65% coverage of my body with thick plaque psoriasis. PUVA, methaltrexate, every cream in the book....no improvement. Was fortunate enough to join the clinical trials for stelara in 2005, have been injecting 90 mg every 3 months since then. I am 99.9% clear with no flare ups and PA under control. No side effects that I can recognize. To me Stelara is a life changer."

10 / 10
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45 Report
  • kevstar
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 5, 2015

"I have had servere psoriasis for 15 years I am now 34 nothing has work apart from u v but the condition soon came back after treatment since being on stelara I have notice a 90% improvement before starting I was 80% covered I could not hardly walk I had thick scales from my neck right down to my ankles since I have been on stelara all I have is a long thin white patch on the inside of my right leg and and I still have some red on both sides of my stomic,i have never felt so healthy or happy blood test always come back clear and I can at last wear shorts and tops with no sleeves with out worrying about what people think"

9 / 10
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48 Report
  • Gobli...
  • May 17, 2014

"Stelara has been great. I have experienced no side effects and I just got my second shot and my Psoriasis is 90% faded after 4 weeks since my first shot. Basically if your insurance will cover it's realistically a miracle. Good luck reader. I hope you have a similar experience of success."

10 / 10
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52 Report
  • Melly...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 30, 2016

"I got my first injection almost 4 weeks ago and am amazed! I've suffered since I was 29 and am now 41. I've tried every topical cream/ointment that's out there. Cortisone injections in my hands and feet that thinned my skin out so bad you can see all my veins - even spent almost $10,000 on an in home phototherapy bed with only sporadic relief. I live at the beach during the summer with my kids and this summer I had to wear a dress to my ankles to save embarrassment. After only 4 weeks, my feet are 100% clear except for some redness and my legs are clear with the exception of light pink spots where all of my lesions were. No side effects at all so far. I've never been so happy :)"

10 / 10
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41 Report
  • OnACl...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • February 2, 2017

"I developed a severe case of psoriasis soon after my 18th birthday, with 90% of my body covered. For years I tried everything under the sun including steroids, PUVA, all topicals, Embrel, Humira, and methotrexate. The only thing that ever helped was the metho and if I tried to go off of it, I would be unable to leave the house for months on end, living in excruciating pain. I had been on metho for over 30 years, resigned to a life of weekly nausea and chronic lethargy, when my new doctor suggested Stelara. I tried it, positive that it would fail like everything else I had tried. And that was when life began for me again. I have now been on it for 1.5 years and for the most part completely clear. It has been a miracle for me!"

9 / 10
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39 Report
  • GValez
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • September 10, 2013

"54 years old ..chronic psoriasis for over 49 years. I've had all the treatments known and then some. This medicine is a God send. It's the only treatment that's ever truly worked and I can say I'm 100%. "

10 / 10
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52 Report
  • MaryJ...
  • August 18, 2014

"Stelara is an excellent medication. I first contracted psoriasis through strep throat. I was covered in red spots from the neck down. Previously, I used a medication that cleared it up but it was harsh and made my hair fall out! I switched to Stelara and it cleared it up within days, I kid you not. The only side effect has been fatigue and maybe a mild case of depression (which I'm not sure can be attributed to the Stelara). I'm only giving it a 9 because it won't clear up the patches on my face AND it is very expensive (right now the cost is 19,000 but Johnson & Johnson is covering it). Highly recommend though."

9 / 10
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45 Report
  • Kdub
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 18, 2017

"I have had severe Plaque Psoriasis for 32 years. I am a 50 year old male. I have tried everything you can imagine over all those years. Even a 6 week program at The University of Michigan did not help the 85% coverage I have had since I was 18. Nothing worked until July of 2016 I had my firat Stelara injection. Within 3 months I was almost clear and almost a year later I am clear except for a couple spots under my fingernails. It is a miracle to me. If you have lived with it you know what I mean."

10 / 10
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35 Report
  • CD 2013
  • September 3, 2013

"I am 50 years old and have suffered with severe psoriasis for 45 years. I've tried every treatment known to man and the best is Stelara. I was clear by the second injection and no side effects. I did take a study injection years ago and it worked but made every joint and muscle in my body swell and pain. Needless to say I stopped taking the medicine. I have been taking injections now for 10 years and my blood work is always perfect so there doesn't seem to be any long term effects."

10 / 10
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48 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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