Continuing with our self-injection series, Dr. Farrell teaches us how to inject Cosentyx. Cosentyx, also known as secukinumab, is a monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin-17. This is a cytokine that is overactive in diseases such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.  That being said, Cosentyx is FDA approved for ankylosing spondylitis, moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis.  Cosentyx comes as a pen or autoinjector as well as the prefilled syringe.  It also comes in two different doses: 150 mg and 300 mg.

Preparing for your injection

• Keep your medication stored in the refrigerator until use
  • Before injecting medication, take the autoinjector or prefilled syringe out of the refrigerator.
  • Allow it to warm up to room temperature.
• Pick a place in your house that is clean and has room for your materials (such as the kitchen table).
• Wash your hands thoroughly with either:
  • Soap & water
  • Hand sanitizer
• Choose an area to inject – Thigh or Stomach.
  • Choose an area that is intact and clear.
  • It should not have any of the following:
    • Cuts
    • Scrapes
    • Bruises
    • Psoriasis patches
    • If you have extensive psoriasis, inject between patches
    • Moles
    • Scars
  • Please rotate area each time you inject (shown in picture below).

• Cleanse chosen area
  • Cleanse chosen area with either of the following:
    • Alcohol swab
    • Alcohol and a cotton ball
  • Use the chosen alcohol material to “swipe” area
    • Can either use a circular motion or wipe in “strips”
    • Allow the area to dry

Injecting Consentyx with an autoinjector/pen

• Observe the medication in the window to be sure that it is clear (no cloudiness or crystals)
  • You will see a small air bubble within the window, this is normal and will not cause harm when injecting
• Remove the cap
• Press the tip of the auto-injector down in the skin at a 90 degree angle until it is flush with the skin
• Press button and hold for 15 seconds
• Viewing window will turn yellow or blue, but continue to hold the button for the full 15 seconds
• Lift the auto-injector straight up

Injecting Consentyx with a prefilled syringe

• Pull off the cap and observe the syringe to be sure that it is clear (no cloudiness or crystals)
• Pinch the skin around the injection site and enter at a 45-degree angle
• Press the plunger (slowly) to administer the medication
• Once the medication is fully administered, the plunger will reach the bottom and a spring will place a cover over the needle

After the injection

• Properly dispose of the entire autoinjector/pen or prefilled syringe
  • Sharps Container
    • Can be purchased at your local pharmacy
    • Disposal
    • Hospitals may take full sharps containers, ask first.
    • Pharmacies and Doctors’ offices are not allowed to take used syringes or needle
• Discard remaining materials in the trash (cap, alcohol swabs, etc.)

For more information regarding Cosentyx, please follow this link.

Credits