Continuing with our self-injection series, Dr. Farrell teaches us how to inject Stelara. Stelara, also known as ustekinumab, is a biologic medication designed to block interleukin-12 and interleukin-23.  Stelara is currently FDA approved for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and moderate to severely active Crohn’s disease.  The medication comes as a prefilled syringe and there are two different doses: 45 mg and 90 mg depending on your weight.

Preparing for your injection

• Keep your medication stored in the refrigerator until use
  • Before injecting medication, take the 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 Stelara 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 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 Stelara, please follow this link.

Credits