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What blood tests are needed for Stelara?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 6, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Stelara (ustekinumab) is a targeted treatment that reduces inflammation and may be used in the treatment of:

Stelara is administered by injection, under the skin (subcutaneous). The dosage and frequency of administration depend on the condition being treated. After appropriate training, people can be taught how to self-administer Stelara or caregivers shown how to give it to another person.

What initial blood tests are required before Stelara is given?

Because Stelara suppresses your immune system response, your physician should follow a diligent screening process before initiating it.

This is because Stelara can increase the risk of infection or precipitate symptoms of an infection that has been asymptomatic. It can also affect certain blood cells and organs in your body, although this has only happened rarely.

Baseline laboratory tests allow doctors to see any changes that occur due to starting a new treatment. Tests that should be performed include:

Before starting treatment with Stelara, patients should have received all their appropriate immunizations for their age as recommended by National guidelines.

Related questions

What ongoing monitoring tests are required once Stelara has been initiated?

Ongoing monitoring tests that are suggested for biologics, such as Stelara include:

How does Stelara work?

Stelara (ustekinumab) is a monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are man-made proteins that act like human antibodies in the immune system. They are a type of “targeted” treatment. Targeted treatments attach only to specific proteins in the body.

Stelara binds to the p40 protein subunit that is used by two cytokines, IL-12 and IL-23. Cytokines are signaling substances that help control immunity, inflammation, and the manufacture of blood cells.

By binding to this protein, Stelara disrupts the interaction of these two cytokines which have been identified as being important contributors to chronic inflammation that is a hallmark of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These cytokines are also present in skin lesions associated with psoriasis and in the joints of people with psoriatic arthritis.

References
  • Emer JJ, Frankel A, Zeichner JA. A practical approach to monitoring patients on biological agents for the treatment of psoriasis. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(8):20‐26.
  • Stelara (ustekinumab) [Package Insert]. Updated Aug 1, 2022. Janssen Biotech, Inc. https://www.drugs.com/pro/stelara.html
  • General Information about Stelara. Janssen Biotech, Inc. https://www.hpra.ie/docs/default-source/3rd-party-documents/educational-materials/stelara_hcp-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=2
  • Stelara (ustekinumab) Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to Treat Pediatric Patients with Active Psoriatic Arthritis. Aug 1st 2022. https://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/stelara-ustekinumab-approved-u-s-food-administration-pediatric-patients-active-psoriatic-arthritis-5867.html

Read next

Who is the actress in the Stelara commercial?

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

Does Stelara treat ulcerative colitis?

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). UC is a serious and long-term inflammatory disease that affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Stelara works by targeting proteins called interleukins (IL)-12 and IL-23 to lower inflammation, a main feature of ulcerative colitis. Continue reading

Is Stelara an immunosuppressant?

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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