A few days ago I wrote an article anticipating the eventually approved of Stelara by the FDA and now… it is done. As of right now, you can obtain this groundbreaking new psoriasis treatment in the UK, the general European Union, Canada and the United States for the treatment of moderate to sever plaque psoriasis (the most common type of psoriasis) by prescription only.
Stelara (a product of Johnson and Johnson) is groundbreaking for the dramatic improvements it produces in people suffering from plaque psoriasis (70% improvement according to FDA sanctioned tests), convenient dosing (5 shots per year) and it seems to pose very mild, if any, side effects. It is a selective immunosuppressant… which is to say that it is designed to target and suppress only certain proteins (interleukin-12 and interleukin-23), which are key players in creating the symptoms of plaque psoriasis. The active ingredient is called ustekinumab.
As you might be able to guess by the word “immunosuppressant,” however, Stelara is the kind of drug that can open you up to infections that otherwise would have been held off by your body”s natural defenses.
Most researchers have believed for a while now that psoriasis throws off the immune system, causing an excess of skin cell production, which results in the itchy, red, scaly, irritated skin symptoms that have made this disease notorious. This is why drug companies have been focusing on drugs that either alter or suppress the body’s immune system. Altering the immune system is one of the most direct ways medical professionals know of to attack psoriasis.
Also of note: Stelara is supposed to be very expensive, upwards of $16,000 per year (if you had to pay for the whole thing out of pocket). My optimistic guess for why it would cost this much (for 5 doses) is that a lot of money was poured into research and development, thus a high cost is needed to recoup. Of course, drug companies are businesses first and foremost, so this is probably also a factor. But if Stelara works and people are willing to pay, then I guess it is worth it.
My psoriasis is not nearly severe enough to justify using this drug (right now anyway). My game plan as of now is to seek out natural, less expensive, lifestyle oriented solutions to root out the disease and keep it rooted out.
When YOUR skin hurts and itches all day every day, interrupting your sleep, which affects your quality of life the next day — you’ll understand that a new drug’s price is set somewhat arbitrarily by the pharma’s, but totally worth it to us patients! Other therapies have stopped working, and I’m looking fwd to Stelara to get my life back…
Biologics like Stelara tend to come at a very high price. Their development is quite different than the standard medications and may require stricter FDA standards.
That said, I haven’t seen the numbers behind the scenes so to speak =)
Nothing has worked for me except total immunesuppression. Believe me when I say that I’m willing to cut my life short than live with the pain, cracking and bleeding one day more. It’s not a life, it’s a living hell. I’m 80% covered with PA. Stelara is the last option for me, I just hope it works!
I’ve been on Abt-874 test drug for a year and a half and my psoriasis at present consists of three spots 1/8″ each. Before starting these monthly injections my arms and legs were 50% covered. Topicals and UV ceased to work. I’ve got about a year and a half to go in the study. Enjoying psoriasis free life while I can.