Should I take Cosentyx if I have a cold?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 9, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

You should continue taking Cosentyx if you have a cold, unless it is bothersome, takes a long time to go away, or keeps on coming back, then ring your doctor and ask them for their advice. Cosentyx can increase your risk of getting infections, such as a cold.

Clinical trials have shown that approximately 12% of people who were administered Cosentyx for plaque psoriasis developed a cold compared to only 9% administered a placebo (an inactive treatment). Colds were also more likely to occur in those prescribed Cosentyx for psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or hidradenitis suppurativa. In the majority of people, infections were not serious but in some instances, Cosentyx was temporarily stopped by a health practitioner until the infection cleared.

Infections are more likely to occur with Cosentyx because it affects the immune system, reducing its ability to respond to pathogens. The most common infections reported include upper respiratory tract infections, conjunctivitis, tinea, and oral candidiasis, and the rate of infection for Cosentyx in one trial was 28.7% compared to 18.9% of subjects treated with a placebo. Serious infections occurred in 0.14% of patients treated with Cosentyx compared to 0.3% of patients treated with placebo. Cosentyx should not be started in people who have symptoms of an infection, and your doctor may decide to discontinue Cosentyx, either temporarily or permanently, if you develop an infection while being administered Cosentyx.

Do not stop Cosentyx unless it is on the advice of a doctor.

References

Cosentyx Prescribing Information. Revised 10/2023. https://www.novartis.com/us-en/sites/novartis_us/files/cosentyx.pdf

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Should I take Cosentyx if I have a cold?

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