Cosentyx for Psoriatic Arthritis User Reviews (Page 2)

• Ett...
• July 7, 2017

"One week after the 5th loading dose of 300 mg, my lips swelled to twice their normal size, became itchy, and then erupted in blisters. My gums became sore, itchy, and throbbing. I got a very red eye and began having itching on various other body parts, starting with my toes."

• HEN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2018

"Getting ready for my third 300 mg dose. I get nausea all the time. I just don't feel right. I have IBS and have been under control for some time. It has flared up now. I know it's just been three weeks, but my fingers are no better and very painful. If this continues after finishing the recommended dosing of 4 weeks, I'm not going to continue. Not worth it if you have to deal with all the side effects and still have pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 20, 2019

"90% cured my terrible PS skin. 70% improvement in my joints but jaw still very sore. Knee swelling there still, but big improvement in back and neck pain. Ankles have improved too. Was in 160 mg, now taking 300 mg, hopefully, it will help more."

• Jus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 12, 2021

"I have been on Cosentyx for almost 3 years, and it has done great for my skin but not much for my psoriatic arthritis, which attacks the tendons throughout my body, mainly the lower half (ouch). I have experienced palpitations for a couple of days after injecting the (300 mg) and only a couple of hours' worth of palpitations after injecting the (150 mg), and both injections cause golf ball-sized injection lumps that itch. I do believe this drug also interferes with my thyroid levels (I'm thyroid-less), so definitely pay close attention to your thyroid health and thyroid symptoms while on this biologic and any biologic. The weight gain is definitely real, no matter what the manufacturer or your doctor says."

• Lon...
• January 28, 2021

"55+ years of psoriasis and 10+ years of psoriatic arthritis. In the past with Enbrel (caused multiple shingles breakouts), methotrexate (minimal impact on the arthritis). 2 1/2 years ago, started on Cosentyx with amazing results for the first 18 months. After that, overall health declined. Started with loss of taste, which progressed to severe pain on swallowing, debilitating earaches, runny nose, oral blisters on gums, swollen gums, thrush. Made the decision to stop Cosentyx. Gradually, the impacts from the toxicity of Cosentyx are dissipating. All the psoriatic symptoms are back, as was expected, and worse than ever. I'm giving my body a year to reset before I try anything else. It's a setback physically with the joint pain, but the side effects caused by Cosentyx as it built up in my body were scary. Stumped multiple specialists about what was going on, as much of what I was experiencing was not listed as known side effects - they are now."

• NHG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2020

"Injection 1 caused a hive over my eyebrow, wasn't sure if it was a mosquito bite. Injection 2 caused hives all over my arms, back, leg, and my throat started to close. Antihistamines were taken BEFORE I injected, and the hives lasted 3 days! Please have antihistamines nearby."

• Xyt...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2017

"Excited to be starting this biologic as the hospital team assured me it was really suitable for the effective treatment of my psoriatic arthropathy and psoriasis. By the fourth weekly injection, I had had two chest infections and the most horrible urinary tract infection. Three lots of antibiotics and a 7 lb. weight loss due to being so sick, I admitted defeat and didn't take the 5th dose. Admittedly, the arthropathy eased slightly during the injection period but this was more likely due to the enforced bed rest due to being so ill than to the effects of the Cosentyx. Goodbye Cosentyx. Going back to Arcoxia."

• Lai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2017

"After the initial phase, I got very sick, and my psoriasis has not improved at all. Runny nose (like really bad), chills, hives, plenty of pimples everywhere, and really tired. Hair follicles infected. Bad medication."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2020

"This medication should come with a caution sign all over it! If I could leave a negative rating, I would. I lost 50 lbs in 2 months and went into liver failure. I was a skeleton. I couldn't walk or even eat. This drug gave me stomach aches that were so severe, I ended up in the hospital a couple of times. It was so hard for me to do anything, but I had to force myself if I wanted to survive. I nearly died from this drug, and I am only 18 years old. I ended up having Crohn's disease as well, but my doctor had no idea at the time of this medication. Therefore, the extreme stomach pain and nausea. The smell of food made me throw up. Before this drug, I was on Humira, then Enbrel, (then Cosentyx), then Stelara, and finally Cimzia. Now trying Simponi in hopes something will work. I even tried Xeljanz and no luck."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2021

"I was put on Cosentyx by my rheumatologist as a first-line biologic. I was very keen for this drug to be my miracle, but unfortunately, it was a nightmare. After the first injection, a day later, I had a rash begin on my bum and was very sore and inflamed. The pain then moved into my bowel, giving me bad lower bowel pain. My rheumatologist sent me for a colonoscopy looking for IBD. The colonoscopy came back clear, and I was told to proceed. The same thing happened on the next injection, the pain was so bad I didn’t sleep for days. I proceeded with the third injection after being told it would get better. It definitely did not, and I was living with no sleep, severe pain, and couldn’t go to the bathroom. I have stopped Cosentyx two months since my last injection and am on probiotics and medicine to calm my digestive system to heal, I am still very sore. No diarrhea or blood, but very painful. Please, if you get these symptoms, don’t proceed, stop, and try another biologic. I am now on Humira and have no problems."

• 04-...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2023

"I got both a fungal and bacterial infection. I've been fighting necrotizing granulomatosis inflammation since the 4th dose. I stopped after the 5th dose. After 7 biopsies and almost 5 months, I'm still fighting this inflammation. No treatment for it either. I have nothing positive to say about this drug."

• Fri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2023

"Self-diagnosed PsA confirmed by a rheumatologist. Tried Etanercept, no change, methotrexate alone, not much difference. Then Cosentyx 150 mg, 4 + 1 loading dose, then monthly, and now I am on month 3. The worst pain ever experienced-both hands, all fingers, wrists, elbows, hips, knees, and neck, the pain went off charts. I cannot use my hands at all, enthesitis everywhere as of Dec 10. Here we are Jan 23, getting worse day by day. Also, weird gastro stuff. I either need more, an additional med, or none! This is terrible and so disappointing. Utter disability, cannot leave the house. My heart goes out to you all if in a similar situation."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 22, 2018

"Cosentyx is working for me, and apart from the runny nose for a day or two after taking, I have not had the listed symptoms. However, I have experienced a rapid increase in my allergies and sensitivities to the point where I carry EpiPens again and cannot be in a room with peanuts (anaphylaxis). Another strange thing, my periods are so heavy (embarrassingly so) I prefer to be at home and have had to have an iron infusion. As these are not listed side effects, my specialist is skeptical. There is nothing else to explain these. I am considering whether to get off the drug, as the period thing is negatively affecting my life and there are not many solutions. However, this is the only drug that has worked for me (but for flare-ups). Also, re painful injection sites - I relax as much as possible and use lotion on the site after the injection, which seems to help with the itches, redness, and burning."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2019

"I had a major reaction to Cosentyx. I was in the hospital for four days after the third injection. I ended up with a large hive on my upper leg that took three weeks to go away. I had a fever over 104 degrees and an infection. My white count was off the charts, my inflammatory markers were 20. One to two is normal. I had to have intravenous antibiotics because I couldn’t keep anything down. No one wanted to believe it was the meds until the skin biopsy came back. The pathologist sent it for a second opinion, and it came back as hive. The cause on the lab work was medication. My first sign something was up is that it caused me to break out with psoriasis."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2020

"If PsA is mainly in SI joints and back, Cosentyx may be effective. Diagnosed with PsA in 1997. Prior to that, pustular psoriasis on soles of feet and palms of hands. Prescribed Enbrel soon after first available, effective for 15 years, except for SI joints (still needed bilateral knee replacement, rotator cuff surgery, and two foot surgeries, not all PsA). Four years ago I experienced repeated venous ulcers and stopped Enbrel. After ulcers resolved, was put on Otezla - no help with PsA. Switched to Cosentyx, initially good and no side effects. However, after a year, began to experience serious joint swelling in my fingers. Cosentyx helped with the SI joints - those are mostly pain-free. But swollen fingers equal constant pain. Doctor is adding Arava - avoiding Methotrexate because of diminished kidney function. Effective January 2021, Cosentyx no longer covered by my insurance, too expensive: choices are Enbrel or Humira. Probably back to Enbrel and heightened concerns over infections."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2018

"I just started taking Cosentyx. I was on Humira for my psoriatic arthritis, which did nothing but make my hair break off and make me extremely tired the day after the injection. The negative to all these drugs is that they suppress your immune system, making you more susceptible to other illness. I am struggling at work to type and do simple tasks, so I am really hoping the benefits outweigh the side effects."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2020

"I have had psoriasis since the sixth grade. I am 60 now and have endured psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis for the past 7 years. The pain and fatigue are debilitating. I tried Methotrexate, my hair fell out, and my liver got messed up. Doc put me on Humira, no help. Started Cosentyx 6 months ago. Started at 150 mg, now up to 300 mg. At first everything was great. I thought I had found my cure. Unfortunately, my psoriasis is starting to flare. I have spots by my ears, my neck, the middle of my back, and my upper arm. I am miserable. I’m asking my dr for a referral. I’m desperate."

• Can...
• March 9, 2021

"I took the load-up doses of six one-week injections when my body reacted ten times as bad as any case of psoriasis I ever had. My joints felt numb, and my reflexes were dulled with stomach trauma, a side effect during this load-up period. I made a decision to stop the injections, and I have to admit, even with joint pain and severe psoriatic breakouts, I feel better! It’s been more than three months since the termination of Cosentyx, and my psoriasis breakouts are starting to clear up but seem to be lingering longer than ever before. My reliance on sunshine and a healthy diet are now my only solution to controlling psoriatic arthritis now. I hoped I could find a solution in a drug, but now I know drugs don’t fix the problem, but diet and exercise can."

• R A...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2023

"I’ve been taking Cosentyx for one year for psoriatic arthritis. It’s been the second best medication I’ve been on (have also tried methotrexate, Humira, and Enbrel). The injection is the least painful of the ones I’ve tried and the dosing is once per month, which isn’t too frequent. I have not experienced too many infections like I have in the past on some other drugs. It’s worked pretty well for me, although I still have active joint pain, so my doctor has recently upped my dose from 150 to 300 mg. Don’t be afraid to try it! It could work for you too. Even after a year+, I am still improving. Every drug is different for every person. My disease activity is high and considered severe, and I am able to work full-time and manage pretty well with Cosentyx. I do not notice any extreme or intolerable side effects; anything minor is worth it for the potential benefit."

• San...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 23, 2023

"I have used Cosentyx for several years. It has worked really well. I have some plaques, but mostly they are clear. I have had no infections at all. I haven't even had a cold in years, no illnesses, not even COVID. I haven't noticed any side effects at all. I use the 150 mg/ml, one injection every 28 days. I used two pens per month in the beginning, and it cleared me up really well, but my doctor cut it back to one pen, and I am fine with just a few plaques. I've had psoriasis since I was 3 years old, it's been a lifelong fight against psoriasis and arthritis. I'm 76 now. It's a blessing."

• Phy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 26, 2022

"Went to the dermatologist and was diagnosed with psoriasis. She put me on methotrexate. Went back for follow-up and showed her I had a toe that was red and swollen. The methotrexate was not working. She switched me to Stelara and referred me to a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist switched me to Cosentyx and diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis. I took the Cosentyx for about a year. The psoriasis cleared up and the arthritis in my toe cleared up. Did not have any side effects. I asked my rheumatologist if we could try Otezla, since it was a pill, and see if it worked. Did the Otezla for a year and by the end of 6 months, my psoriasis was back with a vengeance. It was worse on my head. I could lay my hand on top of my head and feel the raised places. It was awful. Went back to Cosentyx about 6 months ago. We did 4 loading doses and then once every 28 days. The psoriasis was cleared up by the 5th dose. The arthritis in my hands, particularly my thumbs, is awful."

• Bul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2021

"I was diagnosed with arthritis first, actually. At first, they thought I had ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Last year, out of nowhere, I got psoriasis, at first, only on my hands and feet, but then it spread. I had genital psoriasis I will never forget and scalp psoriasis so bad my hair fell out. I am on Cosentyx for five months now, and a lot of topical steroids. My psoriasis has hugely improved, but lately, it has come back, in places I've never had it before. My legs and lower back are now covered in psoriasis, even though I'm on Cosentyx and steroids. I'm absolutely exhausted from it all."

• alm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 6, 2021

"After years of various treatments for psoriasis that developed into psoriatic arthritis, I started Cosentyx. It cleared up my psoriasis almost completely, and my arthritic pain is manageable. I was an emotional wreck before this medication because my scalp was so flaky I could not touch it. My entire body was covered with plaque. Once the arthritis became untenable, I was at the end of my rope. Now, life is enjoyable again."

• Cam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2022

"I was on 25 mg of prednisolone and 20 mg of Arava, and sulfasalazine, for PSA. My rheumatologist put me on Cosentyx after a fecal test for IBD, which was negative. Two days after my first loading dose, I noticed pain in my rectum and fissures. I then couldn’t go to the toilet and couldn’t sleep, waking in anxiety in the middle of the night, absolutely excruciating pain. I rang my GP and rheumatologist, and they told me it would go away and to keep going. I injected the next dose, only to be worse, so was sent for a colonoscopy, which came back clear. So, they diagnosed me with IBS. I refused to keep taking Cosentyx, as my Cosentyx nurse also said this raised red flags. My rheumatologist switched me to Humira, which is absolutely my miracle drug. I am off all other drugs, just Humira-no pain in joints and skin fully clear. I am back to a normal life, swimming and working physically. Love Humira."

• Izz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2025

"Started with a runny and dry cough. About 12 hours later, my legs hurt, a little later, my back hurt so bad I didn't feel like I could stand up or walk, and I felt really dizzy, followed by chest tightness that made me think I was having a heart attack."