Does Cosentyx weaken the immune system?

Q: Does Cosentyx weaken the immune system?

Yes, Cosentyx can weaken your immune system, increasing your risk of infection. Two of the most common adverse reactions to the drug were colds and upper respiratory tract infections in clinical trials, but this occurred in less than 1% of people.

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 3, 2023.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

The biologic drug Cosentyx (secukinumab) can weaken your immune system, increasing your risk of infection. Two of the most common adverse reactions to the drug were colds and upper respiratory tract infections in clinical trials, but this occurred in less than 1% of people.

Approved to treat psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and inflammatory forms of spinal arthritis, Cosentyx blocks Interleukin-17A, an immune system protein that fuels inflammation. Blocking this protein can lower your immune system’s ability to fight off infections.

In one study, 848 people with psoriasis who took secukinumab showed a slightly higher risk of respiratory and urinary tract infections than their counterparts who took another biologic drug to treat psoriasis.

Because Cosentyx and other biologic drugs increase your risk for infection, patients are tested for tuberculosis (TB) before initiating treatment. It is important to watch out for any signs and symptoms of this bacterial lung disease while taking Cosentyx. Some individuals are treated for TB before starting Cosentyx therapy if they are considered to be at high risk for this infection. Cosentyx should not be used if you have active TB.

Other contraindications to Cosentyx include:

Any active infection
An infection that doesn’t go away or that keeps returning
Close contact with someone with active TB

Any symptoms suggestive of infection must be taken seriously while on Cosentyx.

These can include:

Fever
Sweats
Chills
Muscle aches
Cough
Shortness of breath
Blood in phlegm
Unexplained weight loss
Warm, red or painful skin or sores
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Burning during urination

References

Novartis. Cosentyx Product Label. Updated 10/2023. Available at: https://www.novartis.com/us-en/sites/novartis_us/files/cosentyx.pdf
Srinivas C, Odsbu I, Linder M. Risk of common infections among individuals with psoriasis in Sweden: A nationwide cohort study comparing secukinumab to ustekinumab. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. 2020;29:1562-1569. https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.513

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are man-made proteins that mimic the natural antibodies produced by our immune systems. Monoclonal antibodies can be formulated into medicines to treat various types of illnesses, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.

How does Taltz compare to Cosentyx for psoriatic arthritis?

Taltz and Cosentyx are similar in the way they work, their side effects, and their potential for interactions, but Taltz does appear to provide patients with psoriatic arthritis (PA) with more quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) compared with Cosentyx at a marginally lower cost. Cosentyx may have a quicker onset of effect.

Is Cosentyx Effective for Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

Cosentyx has demonstrated clinically meaningful benefits for many adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa, helping to reduce painful symptoms and improve daily life. While it may not work for everyone, it represents an important new option, especially for those who have not responded to other treatments.

Does Cosentyx weaken the immune system?

Read next

What are monoclonal antibodies?

How does Taltz compare to Cosentyx for psoriatic arthritis?

Is Cosentyx Effective for Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

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