Tremfya is a brand-name injection prescribed for psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis. Tremfya contains the active ingredient guselkumab and is a type of biologic drug.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Tremfya for use in adults to treat:

  • Active psoriatic arthritis: For treating psoriatic arthritis that’s active (causing symptoms), Tremfya may be used alone or with certain other drugs.
  • Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: For treating plaque psoriasis, Tremfya may be an option if you can receive systemic therapy (medication that affects your whole body) or phototherapy (treatment with light).
  • Moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC): For treating UC that’s active, Tremfya is typically used alone.

For information about these uses, see the “Tremfya for psoriatic arthritis” and “Other uses for Tremfya” sections.

Drug details

Here is some key information about Tremfya:

  • Drug class: interleukin-23 blocker
  • Drug form: liquid solution for subcutaneous injection or intravenous (IV) infusion (at the start of UC treatment only)
  • Generic or biosimilar available? no
  • Prescription required? yes
  • Controlled substance? no
  • Year of FDA approval: 2017

Tremfya contains the active ingredient guselkumab and is a biologic. It’s available only as a brand-name medication. Tremfya isn’t currently available in biosimilar form.

A biosimilar is a medication that’s similar to a brand-name drug. A generic medication, on the other hand, is an exact copy of a brand-name drug. Biosimilars are based on biologic medications, which are made from parts of living organisms by using advanced technology. Generics are based on regular medications, which are made from chemicals.

Biosimilars and generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Tremfya can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur during Tremfya treatment. This list does not include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of Tremfya, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Tremfya, you can do so through MedWatch.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of Tremfya can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Tremfya aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects include:

  • allergic reactions (explained in more detail in “Side effect details”)
  • tuberculosis (TB)
  • infections

Side effect details

You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug, or whether certain side effects pertain to it. Here’s some detail on some of the side effects this drug may or may not cause.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after receiving Tremfya. But it’s not known how many people have had an allergic reaction during Tremfya treatment.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, face, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • difficulty breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Tremfya. But call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Joint pain

It’s possible to experience joint pain while receiving Tremfya. This was a reported side effect in clinical trials of the drug.

Keep in mind that psoriatic arthritis, one of the conditions Tremfya treats, can also cause joint pain.

If you have joint pain that concerns you, talk with your doctor. They can suggest treatments to help you feel more comfortable.

Injection site reaction

Tremfya may cause you to have an injection site reaction, as reported in clinical trials of the drug. This is irritation near the spot where you had an injection. Symptoms include bruising, swelling, itching, pain, and skin discoloration.

To help prevent injection site reactions, try injecting Tremfya in a different spot for each dose. Also, make sure you choose a spot that isn’t tender, scaly, discolored, or bruised. Follow the proper instructions on injections. (For more information, see the “How to use Tremfya” section.) And keep in mind that it’s important to clean the injection site before an injection.

If your symptoms are bothering you, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a topical medication that you apply to your skin.

Weight loss or weight gain (not a side effect)

Tremfya hasn’t been linked to weight loss or weight gain in clinical trials. However, weight loss could be a sign of an infection, such as TB, or another condition that requires treatment.

If you have unexpected weight loss or weight gain during Tremfya treatment, tell your doctor. They can check to see what may be causing your weight to change.

Hair loss (not a side effect)

Tremfya should not cause you to lose your hair. However, psoriasis of the scalp can lead to temporary hair loss. Using certain psoriasis treatments other than Tremfya or having scalp irritation from scratching can also cause hair loss.

If you have psoriasis on your scalp and are concerned about losing hair, talk with your doctor. They may be able to suggest ways to help prevent hair loss.

Fatigue (not a side effect)

Tremfya isn’t known to cause fatigue. However, fatigue could be a sign of an infection or other condition that requires treatment.

If you have fatigue while receiving Tremfya, tell your doctor. They can look into possible causes.

Depression (not a side effect)

Depression isn’t a side effect of Tremfya. However, having plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis may cause you to feel sad for periods of time. This sadness can vary depending on how severe your plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis is. But as your condition improves, you may feel less discouraged, sad, and depressed.

If you’re concerned about depression, ask your doctor about a depression screening. And be sure to tell them if you’re feeling sad, irritable, or depressed. Many treatments are available to help with mood changes.

The Tremfya dosage and dosing schedule your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Tremfya to treat
  • other medical conditions you may have

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to follow the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Tremfya comes as a solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection or an intravenous (IV) infusion. The IV infusion is used only at the start of treatment for ulcerative colitis.

The following table gives the forms and strengths of Tremfya. The strengths are given in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL).

Tremfya formInjection typeStrength(s)
single-dose prefilled syringesubcutaneous100 mg/mL and 200 mg/2 mL
single-dose prefilled pensubcutaneous200 mg/2 mL
single-dose One-Press injectorssubcutaneous100 mg/mL
single-dose vialIV infusion200 mg/20 mL

For the subcutaneous injections, a healthcare professional will give you your first dose of Tremfya. Then they can show you or your caregiver how to administer the injections at home.

For IV infusions, a healthcare professional will administer these in a clinic, hospital, or infusion center.

Dosage for psoriatic arthritis

For psoriatic arthritis, your first dose of Tremfya will be a 100-mg injection. After 4 weeks, you’ll have another 100-mg injection. Then, you’ll have a 100-mg injection once every 8 weeks.

Note: If you’re using Tremfya for psoriatic arthritis, the drug may be used alone or in combination with certain other drugs. These other drugs include certain disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate.

Dosage for plaque psoriasis

For plaque psoriasis, your first dose of Tremfya will be a 100-mg injection. After 4 weeks, you’ll have another 100-mg injection. Then, you’ll have a 100-mg injection once every 8 weeks.

Dosage for ulcerative colitis

For ulcerative colitis (UC), the dosing schedule begins with an induction period (starting dosage) followed by a maintenance period (ongoing dosage). Induction is meant to cause remission of UC. With remission, you have few or no symptoms of the condition. Maintenance treatment helps UC stay in remission.

During induction, a healthcare professional will administer a dose of 200 mg as an IV infusion. The infusion will take at least 1 hour. After your first infusion, you’ll receive another 200-mg infusion after 4 weeks. You’ll receive one more 200-mg infusion 4 weeks after your second dose.

This is followed by maintenance treatment, which switches over to subcutaneous injections. You’ll follow one of these dosing schedules:

  • 100 mg given 8 weeks after your last infusion, followed by the same dose every 8 weeks
  • 200 mg given 4 weeks after your last infusion, followed by the same dose every 4 weeks

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Tremfya, take it as soon as you remember. Then take the next dose as originally scheduled. If you have questions about a missed dose, ask your doctor.

If you’re receiving IV infusions of Tremfya for UC, call your healthcare professional’s office to reschedule your infusion appointment.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try putting your treatment schedule on a calendar. You can also set a reminder on your phone.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Tremfya is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Tremfya is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

As with all medications, the cost of Tremfya can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance coverage, location, and the pharmacy you use.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Tremfya, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

The manufacturer of Tremfya offers a program called Tremfya withMe. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 833-948-4631 or refer to this program overview.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Tremfya to treat certain conditions. In addition to treating psoriatic arthritis that’s active (causing symptoms), Tremfya is also approved for treating plaque psoriasis. For more information about this condition, see the “Other uses for Tremfya” section.

When you have psoriatic arthritis, your immune system (your body’s defense against infections) is overactive. It attacks healthy tissues and cells, causing joint pain and inflammation. It also causes your body to make too many skin cells, leading to a buildup of cells and areas called plaques. These plaques are flushed, itchy patches on your skin.

For this condition, Tremfya may be used alone or in combination with certain other drugs. These other drugs include certain disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate.

To learn more about this condition, see our arthritis hub and list of psoriatic arthritis articles.

Effectiveness for psoriatic arthritis

Clinical trials have found Tremfya safe and effective for treating psoriatic arthritis in adults. For details about these trials, see the Tremfya prescribing information.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Tremfya to treat certain conditions. In addition to the conditions described here, Tremfya is also approved to treat psoriatic arthritis. For more information about this condition, see the “Tremfya for psoriatic arthritis” section.

Tremfya may also be used off-label for other conditions, which are discussed here. (Off-label drug use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is prescribed to treat a different condition.)

Tremfya for plaque psoriasis

Tremfya is FDA approved to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. This condition is one of many types of psoriasis.

When you have plaque psoriasis, your immune system (your body’s defense against infections) is overactive. It causes your body to make too many skin cells, leading to a buildup of cells and areas called plaques. These plaques are itchy patches on your skin. They may look pink or be darker than your skin color. Sometimes, they may look white and scaly.

Tremfya may be an option for plaque psoriasis treatment if you can receive either:

  • systemic therapy (treatment that affects your whole body), or
  • phototherapy (treatment with light)

To find out more about this condition, see our psoriasis hub and list of psoriasis articles.

Effectiveness for plaque psoriasis

Clinical trials have found Tremfya safe and effective for treating plaque psoriasis in adults. For details about these trials, see the Tremfya prescribing information.

Tremfya for ulcerative colitis

Tremfya is FDA approved to treat moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. When UC is active, it’s causing symptoms. Tremfya is prescribed to help put UC in remission and keep it there. With remission, you have few or no symptoms of the condition.

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colon and rectum. It’s thought to result from overactivity in a person’s immune system.

With UC, you have inflammation in your colon, rectum, or both. In severe cases, ulcers can also form in these areas of the body. Symptoms of this condition include blood in your stool, diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps, and weight loss.

For this condition, Tremfya is typically used alone. Your doctor may prescribe nonbiologics to treat an ulcerative colitis flare-up.

To find out more about this condition, see our inflammatory bowel disease hub and list of ulcerative colitis articles.

Effectiveness for UC

Clinical trials have found Tremfya safe and effective for treating ulcerative colitis in adults. For details about these trials, see the Tremfya prescribing information.

Tremfya for other conditions

In addition to the conditions listed previously, Tremfya may be used off-label for other conditions. You may also wonder whether Tremfya is prescribed for certain other conditions.

Tremfya for Crohn’s disease (off-label use)

Tremfya may be used off-label for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Like UC, this is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. Unlike UC, which affects the colon and rectum, Crohn’s disease can affect your entire digestive system, including your stomach, intestines, and colon. Janssen Biotech, Inc., the manufacturer of Tremfya, is currently studying Tremfya in people with Crohn’s disease.

To find out more about Crohn’s disease, visit our inflammatory bowel disease hub.

Tremfya for ankylosing spondylitis (not an appropriate use)

Tremfya is not approved for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and should not be used off-label for this purpose. Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis (swelling in the joints) that affects your spine.

For more information about ankylosing spondylitis, visit our arthritis hub.

Tremfya doesn’t interact with alcohol. But it’s important to consider how alcohol may affect your condition overall. Drinking alcohol may increase inflammation in your body and worsen the conditions Tremfya is approved to treat. Alcohol may also make it harder for your immune system to fight off infections.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor. They can tell you how much is safe for you to drink during your Tremfya treatment.

Other drugs are available that can treat psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, or ulcerative colitis (UC). Some may be better suited for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Tremfya, talk with your doctor to learn more about other medications that may work well for you.

Alternatives for psoriatic arthritis

Other medications that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to treat psoriatic arthritis include:

Most of these medications are types of biologic drugs, which are made from parts of living organisms using advanced technology. Biologic drugs affect your immune system in different ways to help treat psoriatic arthritis. (Your immune system is your body’s defense against infection.)

Alternatives for plaque psoriasis

Other medications that the FDA has approved to treat plaque psoriasis include:

  • apremilast (Otezla)
  • adalimumab (Humira)
  • brodalumab (Siliq)
  • certolizumab (Cimzia)
  • etanercept (Enbrel)
  • ixekizumab (Taltz)
  • risankizumab (Skyrizi)
  • secukinumab (Cosentyx)
  • tildrakizumab (Ilumya)
  • ustekinumab (Stelara)
  • infliximab (Remicade, Renflexis, Inflectra)
  • bimekizumab-bkzx (Bimzelx)
  • deucravacitinib (Sotyktu)

These medications are all types of biologic drugs. These drugs affect your immune system in different ways to help treat psoriasis.

Alternatives for UC

Other medications that the FDA has approved to treat UC include:

Some of these medications are types of biologic drugs. These drugs affect your immune system in different ways to help treat UC.

You may wonder how Tremfya compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Tremfya and Stelara (ustekinumab) are alike and different.

Uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both Tremfya and Stelara to treat:

Both Tremfya and Stelara can be used in adults. But Stelara is also approved for use in children ages 6 years and older with psoriatic arthritis or plaque psoriasis.

In addition, Stelara is FDA approved to treat Crohn’s disease.

Drug forms and administration

For psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis, both Tremfya and Stelara are given as subcutaneous injections. With either drug, a healthcare professional will administer your first dose. Then, they can show you or your caregiver how to give the drug at home.

For UC, these drugs are given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional at the start of treatment. Then you’ll receive subcutaneous injections of either drug, which you or a caregiver may administer at home after a healthcare professional shows you how.

For specifics about Tremfya’s dosage, including forms and strengths, see the “Tremfya dosage” section. For details about Stelara’s dosage, refer to this article.

Side effects and risks

Tremfya and Stelara are both biologic drugs, which means that they’re made from parts of living organisms using advanced technology. Therefore, both medications can cause some similar side effects.

Examples of mild side effects these drugs both cause include headaches and injection site reactions (skin discoloration, swelling, or pain in the injection area). Serious side effects both drugs share include allergic reaction and tuberculosis (TB).

These drugs also have side effects that differ. To learn more about Tremfya’s side effects, see the “Tremfya side effects” section. For details about Stelara’s side effects, refer to this article.

Effectiveness

The use of Tremfya and Stelara in treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis has been directly compared in a clinical trial.

Researchers looked at people whose symptoms didn’t clear up within the first 16 weeks of Stelara treatment. These people then either took Stelara for 12 more weeks or took Tremfya for 12 weeks. Psoriasis symptoms cleared up entirely or eased in a higher percentage of people who took Tremfya than those who took Stelara.

For information on how these drugs performed individually in clinical trials for psoriatic arthritis and UC, see the prescribing information for Tremfya and Stelara.

Costs

Tremfya and Stelara are both brand-name biologics. There are currently no biosimilar forms of either drug. Biosimilars usually cost less than brand-name drugs. (For information about biosimilars, see the “Tremfya generic or biosimilar” section.)

The actual price you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, location, and the pharmacy you use.

In addition to Stelara, Humira (adalimumab) is another drug that has uses similar to those of Tremfya. Here we look at how Tremfya and Humira are alike and different.

Uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both Tremfya and Humira to treat:

Humira is also FDA approved to treat the following conditions:

Tremfya is only approved for use in adults. Humira, on the other hand, is approved for use in children for some conditions.

Drug forms and administration

Both Tremfya and Humira are given as subcutaneous injections for psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis. This form of administration is also used with Humira to treat UC. For either drug, a healthcare professional will administer your first dose. Then, they can show you or your caregiver how to give the drug at home.

For UC, Tremfya is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional at the start of treatment. Then you’ll receive subcutaneous injections of Tremfya, which you or a caregiver may administer at home after a healthcare professional shows you how.

For specifics about Tremfya’s dosage, including forms and strengths, see the “Tremfya dosage” section. For details about Humira’s dosage, refer to this article.

Side effects and risks

Tremfya and Humiraare both biologic drugs, which means that they’re made from parts of living organisms using advanced technology. Therefore, both medications can cause some similar side effects.

Mild side effects Tremfya and Humira can both cause include upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold, and injection site reactions (skin discoloration, swelling, or pain in the injection area). Serious side effects these drugs share include allergic reaction and tuberculosis (TB).

These drugs also have side effects that differ. To learn more about Tremfya’s side effects, see the “Tremfya side effects” section. For details about Humira’s side effects, refer to this article.

Note: Humira has a boxed warning for malignancy (cancer) and serious infections such as TB. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Effectiveness

The use of Tremfya and Humira in treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis has been directly compared in a clinical trial.

After 16 weeks, plaque psoriasis symptoms cleared up entirely or eased in a higher percentage of people who took Tremfya than people who took Humira. After 48 weeks, plaque psoriasis symptoms cleared up entirely or eased in more people who took Tremfya than those who took Humira.

For information on how these drugs performed individually in clinical trials for psoriatic arthritis and UC, see the prescribing information for Tremfya and Humira.

Costs

Tremfya and Humira are both brand-name biologics. Tremfya isn’t currently available in biosimilar form. However, Humira has several biosimilars available, including Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hadlima, and Hyrimoz. Biosimilars usually cost less than brand-name drugs. (For information about biosimilars, see the “Tremfya generic or biosimilar” section.)

The actual price you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, location, and the pharmacy you use.

Tremfya is approved to treat psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis (UC). (For more information about these conditions, see the “Tremfya for psoriatic arthritis” and “Other uses for Tremfya” sections.) These conditions can occur when your immune system is extremely active.

Tremfya is a type of biologic called a monoclonal antibody, which is a protein that attaches to substances in the body.

Tremfya works by binding to interleukin-23 (a protein in the body) that’s overactive. By binding to this protein, Tremfya decreases how active your immune system is to ease inflammation and decrease symptoms of your condition.

How long does it take to work?

In clinical trials, people with plaque psoriasis often saw improvement or relief of symptoms after receiving three doses of Tremfya over 16 weeks.

Also, more than half of the people receiving Tremfya for psoriatic arthritis in clinical trials saw a decrease in symptoms after just 16 weeks of treatment.

In a clinical trial of Tremfya for UC, more than half of the people taking the drug saw a decrease in symptoms after 12 weeks. Some people achieved remission (few or no symptoms of UC).

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Tremfya.

Is Tremfya an immunosuppressant?

Yes, Tremfya is an immunosuppressant. This means that it works by lowering the activity of your immune system. (Your immune system works to protect your body from infection.)

Specifically, the drug binds to a certain protein in your body and decreases how active your immune system is. This action helps ease inflammation and reduce the symptoms of your condition.

If you have more questions about how this drug works, see the “How Tremfya works” section.

Can Tremfya cause cancer?

This is not known for sure. In animal studies, researchers didn’t look to see whether Tremfya increased the risk of cancer. In clinical trials of people receiving the drug, occurrences of cancer were rare.

If you have concerns about your risk of cancer while using Tremfya, talk with your doctor. They can discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with you.

How often will I need to have Tremfya injections?

This depends on the condition you’re treating with Tremfya.

For psoriatic arthritis or plaque psoriasis, after your first dose of Tremfya, you’ll have one dose 4 weeks later. Then you’ll have one dose of Tremfya every 8 weeks.

For ulcerative colitis (UC), your first three doses will be spaced 4 weeks apart. After that, you’ll follow one of these dosing schedules:

  • 100 mg given 8 weeks after your last infusion, followed by the same dose every 8 weeks
  • 200 mg given 4 weeks after your last infusion, followed by the same dose every 4 weeks

If you have any questions about your treatment schedule, ask your doctor.

Will I still need to use topical skin treatments if I use Tremfya?

You might if you’re using Tremfya to treat plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Topical skin treatments are medications that you put on your skin. Your doctor may want you to use topical treatments with Tremfya if your plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis skin lesions are severe. Or your doctor may want you to use a topical treatment until Tremfya provides more relief on its own.

Some topical treatments for plaque psoriasis need to be prescribed by a doctor. But others are available without a prescription (over the counter).

Topical treatments that you get over the counter often include either salicylic acid or coal tar. Salicylic acid can help skin peel to lift psoriasis scales. Coal tar can help slow the growth of skin cells and ease itching.

You can also get mild topical corticosteroid creams over the counter, but higher-strength creams require a prescription. Corticosteroids can help ease inflammation.

If your symptoms are mild, you may only need topical treatment. But if your symptoms are moderate to severe, you may need an injectable medication such as Tremfya with a topical drug. Your doctor will work to create a medication plan that’s right for you.

If you have questions about any of your psoriasis medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Which vaccines aren’t safe to get while I’m using Tremfya?

During Tremfya treatment, you should avoid getting live (active) vaccines. These vaccines contain a weakened form of a virus or bacterium. If your immune system is healthy, live vaccines should not make you sick. But Tremfya may weaken your immune system. So your body may not be able to fight the virus or bacterium in the vaccine to build immunity as your body usually would.

Examples of live vaccines that you should avoid include:

However, it’s safe to get non-live (inactive) vaccines during your Tremfya treatment. These vaccines don’t have any live viruses in them. Examples of inactive vaccines include:

Before you start Tremfya, ask your doctor whether you need any vaccines. The manufacturer of Tremfya recommends updating all vaccinations prior to starting treatment with the drug.

Tremfya can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions increase the number of side effects or make them more severe.

Tremfya and other medications

Some medications can interact with Tremfya, such as the following examples. For details about Tremfya interactions, see this article.

Before starting Tremfya, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tremfya and the flu shot

Getting the nasal spray version of the flu vaccine (FluMist) while using Tremfya may cause an infection. This is because the nasal spray version of the flu shot is a live vaccine.

Live vaccines contain a weakened form of a virus or bacterium. If your immune system is healthy, live vaccines should not make you sick. But Tremfya may weaken your immune system. So your body may not be able to fight the virus or bacterium in the vaccine to build immunity as your body usually would.

However, other forms of the flu vaccine that you receive as an injection may be safe for you to get. Ask your doctor which type of flu vaccine is right for you.

Tremfya and live vaccines

Getting live vaccines during Tremfya treatment may cause you to have an infection. Live vaccines contain a weakened form of a virus or bacterium. If your immune system is healthy, live vaccines should not make you sick. But Tremfya may weaken your immune system. So your body may not be able to fight the virus or bacterium in the vaccine to build immunity as your body usually would.

Examples of live vaccines that you should avoid include:

However, it’s safe to get non-live (inactive) vaccines during your Tremfya treatment. These vaccines don’t have any live viruses in them.

Before you start Tremfya, ask your doctor if you need any vaccines. The manufacturer of Tremfya recommends updating all vaccinations prior to starting treatment with the drug.

Tremfya and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Tremfya. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products during Tremfya treatment.

You should give yourself Tremfya injections (or have a caregiver administer the drug) according to your doctor or healthcare professional’s instructions.

Tremfya comes as a solution inside prefilled syringes, prefilled pens, and One-Press injectors. All of these forms contain a single dose of the drug. You may find one form easier to use than the other, so ask your doctor which form is right for you.

The medication is usually given as a subcutaneous injection. For ulcerative colitis (UC), it’s also given as an IV injection by a healthcare professional at the start of treatment.

For the subcutaneous injection, a healthcare professional will usually give you your first dose. Then they can show you or your caregiver how to administer injections at home. Also, the Tremfya website has instructions and videos to help you learn how to use Tremfya.

Take Tremfya out of the refrigerator to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before each dose. This will help avoid any discomfort the injection might cause.

Tremfya is a colorless to light yellow solution. Be sure to look at the medication to make sure it’s not cloudy or discolored. If it is, dispose of the syringe or injector correctly and use a new one.

After your injection, throw away the device and needle in an approved sharps container after use. (See the “Tremfya expiration, storage, and disposal” section to learn more.)

Each prefilled syringe, prefilled pen, and One-Press injector holds only one dose. Don’t reuse any of them or try to give yourself more than one dose.

When to inject

When you’ll inject your dose depends on the condition you’re using Tremfya to treat. See “How often will I need to have Tremfya injections?” in the “Common questions about Tremfya” section.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try putting your treatment schedule on a calendar. You can also set a reminder on your phone.

If you can become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or using birth control, it’s important to consider whether Tremfya is a safe choice for you.

You can refer to this article for more information. If you have additional questions, talk with your doctor.

Before starting Tremfya, talk with your doctor about your health history. Tremfya may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Infections: Tremfya may make you more likely to develop an infection. This is because the drug may weaken your immune system. Your doctor will need to treat any infections you have before you can start Tremfya. If you develop symptoms of an infection (such as fever, extreme tiredness, or muscle aches) when receiving Tremfya, tell your doctor.
  • Tuberculosis: If you’ve had the lung infection tuberculosis (TB) in the past, Tremfya could make it active again and cause symptoms. So your doctor may give you medication for TB before you start Tremfya. They’ll likely test you for TB before you start Tremfya treatment. When receiving Tremfya, tell your doctor if you have any possible symptoms of TB, such as extreme tiredness or a cough.
  • Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Tremfya in the past, you should not receive this drug. Tell your doctor about any medication allergies you have before starting treatment with Tremfya.
  • Pregnancy: It’s not known whether Tremfya is safe to use during pregnancy. For more information, see this article.
  • Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to breastfeed while using Tremfya. For more information, see this article.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Tremfya, see the “Tremfya side effects” section.

Using more than the recommended dosage of Tremfya can lead to serious side effects. See the “Tremfya side effects” section to learn more.

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve used too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or through its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

When you get Tremfya from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the package. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication remains effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, ask your pharmacist how to correctly dispose of it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication. You should store Tremfya in its original packaging in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2° to 8°C). It can only be out of the refrigerator at temperatures between 46°F and 86°F (8°C and 30°C) once for up to 4 hours before using.

Be sure to protect the drug from light. And don’t shake or freeze Tremfya.

Disposal

Tremfya syringes, pens, and injectors are made for single-use only. You’ll need to dispose of them in an approved sharps container after each injection. Don’t throw syringes, injectors, and needles away in the regular trash or recycling containers. This is because other people could get pricked by accident.

If you no longer need to use Tremfya and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children or pets, from accidental exposure to the drug. Proper disposal also helps keep Tremfya from harming the environment.

The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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