Cosentyx

Cosentyx can only be obtained with a prescription and treatment should be given under the supervision of a doctor with experience in diagnosing and treating the conditions for which Cosentyx is used.

Cosentyx is given by injection under the skin every week for 5 weeks and then once a month. The dose depends on the disease being treated. The condition usually improves within 16 weeks of treatment. The doctor may decide to stop treatment if there is no improvement after 16 weeks. The dose in children depends on their body weight.

Patients (or their carers) can give the injection if they have been trained to do so. For more information about using Cosentyx, see the package leaflet or contact your doctor or pharmacist.

The active substance in Cosentyx, secukinumab, is a monoclonal antibody, a type of protein, designed to attach to interleukin 17A, a messenger molecule in the immune system. Interleukin 17A is involved in inflammation and other immune system processes that cause psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. By attaching to interleukin 17A, secukinumab blocks its action and so reduces the activity of the immune system and symptoms of the disease.

Studies showed that Cosentyx is effective in treating psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis, with patients showing greater improvements with Cosentyx than with placebo (a dummy treatment) or with a comparator medicine, etanercept.

In 4 psoriasis studies involving 2,403 adults, 79% of those on Cosentyx had a 75% reduction in their PASI scores (a measure of disease severity and area of skin affected) after 12 weeks of treatment. This compares with 44% of those treated with etanercept and 4% of those receiving placebo. In addition, 65% of patients given Cosentyx had clear or nearly clear skin, compared with 27% of patients given etanercept and 2% of those given placebo.

In a study of severe psoriasis in 162 children from 6 years of age, around 80% of children given Cosentyx achieved a 75% reduction in their PASI scores and around 70% had skin that was clear or almost clear of psoriasis after 12 weeks. This compares with 66% and 36% respectively for patients treated with etanercept and 15% and 6% for patients treated with placebo.

In a study of 397 patients with psoriatic arthritis, between 51% and 54% of patients on the approved doses of Cosentyx achieved a 20% reduction in ACR scores (painful, swollen joints and other symptoms) after 24 weeks. This compares with 15% of patients on placebo.

In a study of 219 adults with ankylosing spondylitis, 61% of patients given the approved dose of Cosentyx had a 20% reduction in ASAS scores (back pain, morning stiffness and other symptoms) after 16 weeks, compared with 28% of patients on placebo. In another study involving 555 adults with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, 41% of patients given the approved dose of Cosentyx had a 40% reduction in ASAS scores after 16 weeks, compared with 29% of patients on placebo.

The most common side effects with Cosentyx (which may affect more than 1 in 10 people) are upper respiratory tract infections (nose and throat infections) with inflammation of the nose and throat (nasopharyngitis) and blocked or runny nose (rhinitis).

Because Cosentyx can increase the risk of infection, it must not be given to patients with serious infections such as tuberculosis.

For the full list of side effects and restrictions of Cosentyx, see the package leaflet.

In studies, Cosentyx was of substantial clinical benefit in patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. The safety profile was considered reassuring, with the main concern related to mild infections. The European Medicines Agency therefore decided that Cosentyx’s benefits are greater than its risks and it can be authorised for use in the EU.

Recommendations and precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and patients for the safe and effective use of Cosentyx have been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet.

As for all medicines, data on the use of Cosentyx are continuously monitored. Side effects reported with Cosentyx are carefully evaluated and any necessary action taken to protect patients.

Cosentyx received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU on 15 January 2015.