Wezlana

Generic name: ustekinumab-auub
Brand name: Weslana
Drug class: Interleukin inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 1, 2023.

What is Wezlana?

Wezlana (ustekinumab-auub) is used to treat certain types of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. Wezlana helps reduce the symptoms of these diseases but does not cure these inflammatory diseases.

Wezlana works by blocking certain proteins in your body called IL-12 (interleukin-12) and IL-23 (interleukin-23) that cause inflammation in these autoimmune conditions. Wezlana is from a class of medicines called interleukin inhibitors.

Wezlana is an interchangeable biosimilar of Stelara (ustekinumab). A biosimilar is a biologic medicine that is a very close copy of the original product, Stelara, which is made by another company.  An interchangeable biosimilar may be substituted for the reference product without consulting the prescriber, subject to state laws. This means that Wezlana can be dispensed when the prescription has been written for Stelara, depending on local state laws.

What is Wezlana used for?

Wezlana can be used to treat: 

Adults with:

• moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy
• active psoriatic arthritis
• moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease and
• moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.

Patients 6 years of age and older with:

• moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy
• and active psoriatic arthritis.

Wezlana received FDA approval on October 31, 2023, and is a biosimilar to and interchangeable with Stelara.

Related/similar drugs

Entyvio, Otezla, Sotyktu, prednisone, methotrexate, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone

Wezlana side effects

Common Wezlana side effects

 The most common Wezlana side effects are cold symptoms, fever, diarrhea, headache, tiredness, itchy skin, nausea, vomiting, injection site redness, vaginal candidiasis/mycotic infection, bronchitis (cough with mucus, shortness of breath, chest discomfort), urinary tract infection, inflamed sinus, stomach pain, the flu, and upper respiratory tract infection.

Serious Wezlana side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Wezlana hives, chest pain, difficulty breathing, feeling light-headed, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious infections may occur during treatment with Wezlana. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection including fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, diarrhea or stomach pain, burning when you urinate, feeling very tired, skin warmth or redness, painful skin sores, or coughing up blood.

Also, call your doctor at once if you have:

• a mole that has changed in size or color;
• swelling, pain, warmth, or redness anywhere on your body;
• stomach pain that is sudden and severe or comes on slowly, changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation);
• new or worsening cough, sudden chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• pain or burning when you urinate; or
• severe headache, confusion, change in mental status, vision problems, and/or seizure (convulsions).

This is not a complete list of Wezlana side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You should not use Wezlana if you have received a BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin) vaccine within 1 year prior to, during, or 1 year following treatment.

Before you start treatment with this injection, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis.

Serious infections may occur during treatment with Wezlana. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, diarrhea or stomach pain, burning when you urinate, feeling very tired, skin warmth or redness, painful skin sores, or coughing up blood.

Ustekinumab may also cause a rare but serious condition affecting the brain called Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES). Tell your doctor right away if you have a headache, confusion, vision problems, or a seizure.

Wezlana may decrease the activity of your immune system, and there may be an increase in your risk for certain types of cancers. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of cancer. Some people who are receiving this medicine and have risk factors for skin cancer have developed certain types of skin cancers. During your treatment with this medicine, tell your doctor if you develop any new skin growths.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Wezlana if you:

• are allergic to the active ingredient ustekinumab or any of the inactive ingredients contained in the medicine.

• have active tuberculosis; or
• have received a BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin) vaccine within the past 12 months.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis, if anyone in your household has tuberculosis, or if you have recently traveled to an area where tuberculosis is common.

To make sure Wezlana is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of infection (fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, painful skin sores, diarrhea, pain when you urinate, feeling very tired)
• chronic infections
• new or changing skin lesions
• a latex allergy as the needle cover on the prefilled syringe contains latex
• phototherapy (light therapy)
• allergy shots
• if you recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccine, people who take this medicine should not receive live vaccines. Tell your doctor if anyone in your house needs a live vaccine. The viruses used in some types of live vaccines can spread to people with a weakened immune system, and can cause serious problems.

Some people using this medicine have developed skin cancer (non-melanoma). However, these people may have had a higher risk of skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about this risk and what skin symptoms to watch for. You may need to have regular skin exams.

Pregnancy

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of ustekinumab on the baby.

Breastfeeding

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. It is thought that Wezlana passes into your breast milk in small amounts. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you receive this medicine.

How should I use Wezlana?

Before you start treatment with this medicine, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Wezlana is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of your doctor. Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Wezlana?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using this medicine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

BCG vaccine should not be given for at least 1 year after you receive your last dose of Wezlana.

Non-live vaccines (including flu shots) may not work as well during your treatment and may not fully protect you from disease. Make sure you are current on all vaccines before you begin treatment with this medicine.

What other drugs will affect Wezlana?

Other drugs may interact with Wezlana, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

It is important to tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following: 

• anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• medications that suppress the immune system such as azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall, Xatmep), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Astagraf, Envarsus, Prograf)
• oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Hemady), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Rayos). 

Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Manufacturer

Amgen, Inc., 1 Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-1799

Frequently asked questions

• How many biosimilars have been approved in the United States?
• What are the new drugs for plaque psoriasis?
• How quickly or how long before Stelara starts to work?
• How long can you keep Stelara in or out of the fridge?
• Can you get a flu shot or take antibiotics while on Stelara?
• How is Stelara injected or administered?
• What blood tests are needed for Stelara?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer