Proper Use
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins or as a shot under your skin, usually on the upper arms, buttocks, stomach, or thighs.
This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Ustekinumab injection may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital or clinic. If you are using this medicine at home, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand how to use the medicine.
You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections. Do not inject into skin areas that are tender, red, bruised, or hard.
This medicine is available in two forms: a prefilled syringe or a vial (glass container). You can use these forms at home.
You might not use all of the medicine in each vial or prefilled syringe. Use each vial or prefilled syringe only one time. Do not save an open vial or syringe. If the medicine in the vial or syringe has changed color, or if you see particles in it, do not use it. Do not shake.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
-
For injection dosage form (prefilled syringe):
-
For Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis:
-
Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
-
Weighing more than 85 kilograms (kg)—520 milligrams (mg) (4 vials) injected into your vein as a single dose.
-
Weighing more than 55 kg to 85 kg—390 mg (3 vials) injected into your vein as a single dose.
-
Weighing 55 kg or less—260 mg (2 vials) injected into your vein as a single dose.
-
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
-
For psoriasis:
-
Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
-
Weighing more than 100 kilograms (kg)—At first, 90 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin as a single dose, and then one dose (90 mg) after 4 weeks, followed by 90 mg every 12 weeks.
-
Weighing 100 kg or less—At first, 45 mg injected under your skin as a single dose, and then one dose (45 mg) after 4 weeks, followed by 45 mg every 12 weeks.
-
Children 6 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
-
Weighing more than 100 kilograms (kg)—90 milligrams (mg) at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks after.
-
Weighing 60 kg to 100 kg—45 mg at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks after.
-
Weighing less than 60 kg—0.75 mg per kg body weight at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks after.
-
Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
-
For psoriatic arthritis:
-
Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
-
Weighing more than 100 kilograms (kg) who also have plaque psoriasis—At first, 90 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin as a single dose, and then one dose (90 mg) after 4 weeks, followed by 90 mg every 12 weeks.
-
Weighing 100 kg or less—At first, 45 mg injected under your skin as a single dose, and then one dose (45 mg) after 4 weeks, followed by 45 mg every 12 weeks.
-
Children 6 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
-
Weighing more than 100 kilograms (kg) who also have plaque psoriasis—90 milligrams (mg) at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks after.
-
Weighing 60 kg to 100 kg—45 mg at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks after.
-
Weighing less than 60 kg—0.75 mg per kg body weight at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks after.
-
Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Keep the medicine in the original carton until you are ready to use it. Store the vials in an upright position.
Do not reuse syringes and needles. Put used syringes and needles in a puncture-resistant disposable container, or dispose of them as directed by your doctor.
Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024
Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.