(BPT) - For the 7.5 million Americans who live with psoriasis, every day presents new challenges for how to live in their own skin.¹ In fact, recent research from the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) shows that psoriasis has a large impact on everyday life, with patients frequently complaining of feeling angry and frustrated by their condition.² Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells, causing patches of thick red skin and silvery scales.³

Allison Dugger of McGregor, TX, has lived with psoriasis for more than 30 years. Allison is a loving wife and devoted mother, but she is open about how her journey with the disease has been a difficult part of her life. Through the years, Allison has tried a variety of treatments to manage her psoriasis symptoms, ranging from creams and topicals through light therapy – none seemed to offer any relief.

“For most of my life, psoriasis has held me back from important moments. Whether it was delaying the start of my family or avoiding activities where I had to show my skin, psoriasis had too much control over my life,” Allison shared. “Psoriasis has changed me as a person.”  

It wasn’t until 2012 when Allison decided she had had enough with her uncontrolled psoriasis and became determined to take her life back. Her doctor recommended she try a biologic treatment called STELARA^® (ustekinumab).

STELARA^® (ustekinumab) is an injection given under the skin, approved to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, who may benefit from taking injections or systemic therapy or phototherapy. STELARA^® (ustekinumab) works by targeting an underlying cause of plaque psoriasis—an overactive immune system. It blocks two proteins called IL-12 and IL-23 that may play a role in plaque psoriasis. STELARA^® (ustekinumab) may lower your ability to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. The most common side effects of STELARA^® (ustekinumab) include upper respiratory infections, headache, tiredness, joint pain and nausea.

“After I started using STELARA^® (ustekinumab) my skin became clearer. Today, I live a fuller life and love wearing shorts whenever I get the chance.”

Visit www.STELARAINFO.com to learn more about STELARA^® (ustekinumab).

WHAT IS STELARA^®?

STELARA^® is currently approved in 69 countries for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.  IL-12 and IL-23 are naturally occurring proteins that are believed to play a role in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In the United States, STELARA^® is approved for the treatment of adult patients (18 years or older) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

STELARA^® is a prescription medicine that affects your immune system. STELARA^® can increase your chance of having serious side effects including:

Serious Infections

STELARA^® may lower your ability to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. While taking STELARA^®, some people have serious infections, which may require hospitalization, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.

• Your doctor should check you for TB before starting STELARA^® and watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with STELARA^®.
• If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, you may be treated for TB before and during treatment with STELARA^®.

You should not start taking STELARA^® if you have any kind of infection unless your doctor says it is okay.

Before starting STELARA^®, tell your doctor if you think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infections such as:

• fever, sweats, or chills
• muscle aches
• cough
• shortness of breath
• blood in your phlegm
• weight loss
• warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body
• diarrhea or stomach pain
• burning when you urinate or urinate more often than normal
• feel very tired
• are being treated for an infection
• get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back
• have TB, or have been in close contact with someone who has TB

After starting STELARA^®, call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of an infection (see above).

STELARA^® can make you more likely to get infections or make an infection that you have worse. People who have a genetic problem where the body does not make any of the proteins interleukin 12 (IL-12) and interleukin 23 (IL-23) are at a higher risk for certain serious infections that can spread throughout the body and cause death. It is not known if people who take STELARA^® will get any of these infections because of the effects of STELARA^® on these proteins.

Cancers

STELARA^® may decrease the activity of your immune system and increase your risk for certain types of cancer. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of cancer. Some people who had risk factors for skin cancer developed certain types of skin cancers while receiving STELARA^®. Tell your doctor if you have any new skin growths.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)

RPLS is a rare condition that affects the brain and can cause death. The cause of RPLS is not known. If RPLS is found early and treated, most people recover. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening medical problems including: headache, seizures, confusion, and vision problems.

Serious Allergic Reactions

Serious allergic reactions can occur. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms such as: feeling faint, swelling of your face, eyelids, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, throat or chest tightness, or skin rash.

Before receiving STELARA^®, tell your doctor if you:

• have any of the conditions or symptoms listed above for serious infections, cancers, or RPLS
• ever had an allergic reaction to STELARA^® or any of its ingredients. Ask your doctor if you are not sure.
• are allergic to latex. The needle cover on the prefilled syringe contains latex.
• have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). People who take STELARA^® should not receive live vaccines. Tell your doctor if anyone in your house needs a vaccine. The viruses used in some types of vaccines can spread to people with a weakened immune system, and can cause serious problems. You should not receive the BCG vaccine during the one year before taking STELARA^® or one year after you stop taking STELARA^®.
• have any new or changing lesions within psoriasis areas or on normal skin
• are receiving or have received allergy shots, especially for serious allergic reactions
• receive or have received phototherapy for your psoriasis
• have any other medical conditions
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if STELARA^® will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will take STELARA^®.
• are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is thought that STELARA^® passes into your breast milk. You should not breast-feed while taking STELARA® without first talking to your doctor.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

When prescribed STELARA^®:

• Use STELARA^® exactly as prescribed by your doctor
• If your doctor decides that you or a caregiver may give your injections of STELARA® at home, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject STELARA®. Do not try to inject STELARA^® yourself until you or your caregiver has been shown how to inject STELARA^® by your doctor or nurse.

Common side effects of STELARA^® include: upper respiratory infections, headache, tiredness, joint pain and nausea. These are not all of the possible side effects with STELARA^®. Tell your doctor about any side effect that you experience. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please read the full Prescribing Information, including the Medication Guide for STELARA^®, and discuss any questions you have with your doctor.

003172-130920

References

1. About the National Psoriasis Foundation. (n.d.) https://www.psoriasis.org/about-us. Accessed March 24, 2016.
2. REPORT on the Psycho-Social Impacts of Psoriasis. https://www.psoriasis.org/sites/default/files/npf_ps_impact_psy_soc_09_fa.pdf. Accessed March 24, 2016.
3. About Psoriasis (n.d.) https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis. Accessed March 24, 2016.