How does ustekinumab work?

Have you ever wondered what the heck ustekinumab is and how it works? Well, my curious friend, wonder no more because I am about to give you an in-depth explanation on this bad boy. And don’t worry, I’ll sprinkle some humor in there to keep things interesting. So grab a snack or a drink (or both) and let’s jump right into it.

What Is Ustekinumab?

Ustekinumab (US-TEK-IN-YOU-MAB) is a medication used to treat certain diseases caused by an overactive immune system. It belongs to a class of drugs called biologics which are made from living cells grown in labs. Biologics work by targeting specific proteins that cause inflammation within the body.

But wait, before we dive deeper into ustekinumab’s mechanism of action, let me first introduce you to its siblings:

The Family Of Biologics

The biologic family consists of several members such as:

  • Adalimumab
  • Etanercept
  • Infliximab
  • Rituximab

These medications may have different names but they all have one thing in common: they’re expensive af.

Okay okay, enough with the side jokes. Let’s move on to why we’re here…ustekinumab!

How Does Ustekinumab Work?

So remember those pesky proteins causing inflammation? Well, ustekinumab targets two specific ones: interleukins 12 and 23 (IL-12 and IL-23). These cytokines (fancy word for signaling molecules) play vital roles in activating T-cells which are responsible for fighting off infections and foreign invaders.

However, when these cytokines become overactive due to a malfunctioning immune system, they can cause chronic inflammatory diseases such as:

  • Psoriasis – a skin condition characterized by red, scaly patches
  • Psoriatic arthritis – joint pain and inflammation associated with psoriasis
  • Crohn’s disease – an inflammatory bowel disease causing abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss

But back to ustekinumab…by binding to IL-12 and IL-23, it prevents them from stimulating T-cells. This decreases the amount of cytokines produced which ultimately reduces inflammation in the body.

How Is Ustekinumab Administered?

Now that you know what ustekinumab is and how it works, let’s talk about how it’s given.

Ustekinumab comes in two forms: injection or intravenous (IV) infusion. The injection can be given at home or in a doctor’s office whereas the IV infusion requires a visit to a medical facility.

The dosing schedule varies depending on the indication being treated:

Disease Dose
Psoriasis 45mg for patients weighing less than 100kg
90mg for patients weighing more than 100kg
Psoriatic Arthritis Weight-based dosing every 12 weeks
Crohn’s Disease Weight-based dosing every 8 weeks

Your physician will determine the appropriate dose based on your weight and specific disease activity.

What Are The Side Effects Of Ustekinumab?

No medication is perfect so let’s discuss some common side effects:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Injection site reactions (redness, swelling)
  • Upper respiratory infections

Less common but serious side effects include allergic reactions (shortness of breath, hives), infection risk due to decreased immune function and malignancy risk (cancer development).

It’s important to be aware of any symptoms that may occur and report them to your healthcare provider immediately.

Conclusion

You now have a better understanding of what ustekinumab is, how it works within the body, its dosing schedule and potential side effects. Hopefully I was able to make this information entertaining for you (I mean who doesn’t love a good biologic joke every now and then).

Remember folks: always consult with your physician before starting or stopping any medication.

Random Posts