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Is Stelara a biologic?

Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. Last updated on Aug 2, 2022.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Yes, Stelara (ustekinumab) is a biologic. A biologic, also known as a biopharmaceutical, is a class of drugs made from naturally occurring molecules, such as proteins, genes, antibodies, sugars, tissues, or cells. This biologic drug blocks proteins that lead to inflammation.

Stelara is prescribed to treat Crohn’s disease, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis and ulcerative colitis. Conditions such as these are caused by having an excessive amount of immune system proteins (also known as cytokines) within the body. The excess cytokines cause inflammation that can occur throughout the body. Stelara, a monoclonal antibody, works to reduce inflammation by blocking two specific cytokines, IL-12 and IL-23.

References
  1. Janssen. Stelara. Available at: https://www.stelarainfo.com/crohns-disease/about-stelara#slide-1 [Accessed June 12, 2022]
  2. U.S Food and Drug Administration. Stelara. September 23, 2016. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2016/761044Orig1s000SumR.pdf [Accessed June 12, 2022]
  3. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. What are “biologics” questions and answers. Feb. 6, 2018. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-biologics-evaluation-and-research-cber/what-are-biologics-questions-and-answers [Accessed June 12, 2022]

Read next

The 2022 advertising campaign for Stelara, called “Move towards Relief” features an unknown actress because the campaign aimed to include authentic and diverse adults living with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis to represent a real community. Continue reading

Yes, Stelara was approved by the FDA on October 21, 2019 for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). This was the fifth approved use for this medicine. UC is a serious and long-term inflammatory disease that affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Continue reading

Yes, Stelara (ustekinumab) is an immunosuppressant. It is approved to treat certain forms of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and moderate to severe Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Continue reading

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