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How does Tremfya work?

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on March 24, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Tremfya (guselkumab) is a biologic therapy that works by selectively blocking interleukin 23 (IL-23), a pro-inflammatory cytokine thought to play a major role in chronic immune-mediated diseases, including plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.

Tremfya is a fully human monoclonal IgG1λ antibody that selectively binds to the p19 subunit of interleukin (IL)-23 and inhibits its interaction with the IL-23 receptor. IL-23 is a naturally occurring cytokine that is involved in normal inflammatory and immune responses. By blocking interleukin 23, Tremfya inhibits the release of cytokines and chemokines that cause inflammation.

Tremfya is an interleukin-23 antagonist indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:

FDA Approved Interleukin-23 Antagonists

Drug FDA Approval Administration Indications
Tremfya
(guselkumab)
13-Jul-2017 subcutaneous injection
(intravenous induction for UC, intravenous or subcutaneous induction for CD)
  • plaque psoriasis
  • psoriatic arthritis
  • ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn’s disease
Ilumya
(tildrakizumab-asmn)
20-Mar-2018 subcutaneous injection
  • plaque psoriasis
Skyrizi
(risankizumab-rzaa)
23-Apr-2019 subcutaneous injection
(intravenous induction for UC, CD)
  • plaque psoriasis
  • psoriatic arthritis
  • ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn’s disease
Omvoh
(mirikizumab-mrkz)
26-Oct-2023 subcutaneous injection
(intravenous induction for UC, CD)
  • ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn’s disease

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