Plaque psoriasis: SubQ: 100 mg at weeks 0, 4, and then every 8 weeks thereafter.
Psoriatic arthritis: SubQ: 100 mg at weeks 0, 4, and then every 8 weeks thereafter; may administer alone or in combination with conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (eg, methotrexate).
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling (has not been studied).
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling (has not been studied).
Refer to adult dosing.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Solution Pen-injector, Subcutaneous [preservative free]:
Tremfya: 100 mg/mL (1 mL) [contains polysorbate 80]
Solution Prefilled Syringe, Subcutaneous [preservative free]:
Tremfya: 100 mg/mL (1 mL) [contains polysorbate 80]
No
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Solution Pen-injector, Subcutaneous:
Tremfya: 100 mg/mL (1 mL) [contains polysorbate 80]
Solution Prefilled Syringe, Subcutaneous:
Tremfya: 100 mg/mL (1 mL) [contains polysorbate 80]
An FDA-approved patient medication guide, which is available with the product information and as follows, must be dispensed with this medication;
Tremfya: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/761061s009lbl.pdf#page=15
SubQ: Administer SubQ into front of thighs, lower abdomen (except for 2 inches around navel), or back of upper arms; do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, hard, thick, scaly, or affected by psoriasis.
Plaque psoriasis: Treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.
Psoriatic arthritis: Treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adults.
The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.
>10%:
Infection: Infection (23%)
Respiratory: Upper respiratory tract infection (14%)
1% to 10%:
Dermatologic: Tinea (1%)
Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea (2%), gastroenteritis (1%)
Hematologic & oncologic: Decreased neutrophils (≤2%; transient)
Hepatic: Increased liver enzymes (3%)
Immunologic: Antibody development (6% to 9%; neutralizing antibodies: 6% to 7%; efficacy of guselkumab may be affected)
Infection: Herpes simplex infection (1%)
Local: Injection site reaction (5%)
Nervous system: Headache (5%)
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Arthralgia (3%)
Respiratory: Bronchitis (2% to 3%)
<1%:
Dermatologic: Urticaria
Infection: Candidiasis
Nervous system: Migraine
Postmarketing:
Dermatologic: Skin rash
Hypersensitivity: Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reaction, severe hypersensitivity reaction
Serious hypersensitivity to guselkumab or any component of the formulation.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• Antibody formation: Formation of neutralizing anti-drug antibodies may occur but has not been associated with loss of efficacy for guselkumab (AAD/NPF [Menter 2019]).
• Hypersensitivity reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, may occur; may require hospitalization. Discontinue use and initiate appropriate therapy if serious hypersensitivity reactions occur.
• Infections: Guselkumab may increase the risk of infections; upper respiratory tract infections, gastroenteritis, tinea infections, and herpes simplex infections have occurred more frequently. Consider the risks versus benefits prior to treatment initiation in patients with a history of chronic or recurrent infection; treatment should not be initiated in patients with clinically important active infections until it is resolved or treated. Monitor for infections; patients should seek medical attention for signs/symptoms of a clinically important infection (acute or chronic). If a serious infection develops or is unresponsive to appropriate therapy for the infection, monitor closely and discontinue guselkumab until the infection resolves.
• Tuberculosis: Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis (TB) infection prior to initiating therapy. Do not administer to patients with an active TB infection. Treatment for latent TB should be administered prior to administering guselkumab. Consider anti-TB therapy prior to treatment initiation in patients with a history of latent or active TB in whom an adequate course of TB treatment cannot be confirmed. Monitor closely for signs/symptoms of active TB during and after guselkumab treatment.
Other warnings/precautions:
• Immunizations: Patients should be brought up to date with all immunizations before initiating therapy. Live vaccines should not be given concurrently; there are no data available concerning secondary transmission of infection by live vaccines in patients receiving therapy.
None known.
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the Lexicomp drug interactions program by clicking on the “Launch drug interactions program” link above.
Abrocitinib: May enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents). Risk X: Avoid combination
Anifrolumab: Biologic Anti-Psoriasis Agents may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Anifrolumab. Risk X: Avoid combination
Baricitinib: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Baricitinib. Risk X: Avoid combination
BCG Products: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of BCG Products. Specifically, the risk of vaccine-associated infection may be increased. Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of BCG Products. Risk X: Avoid combination
Belimumab: May enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Biologic Anti-Psoriasis Agents. Risk X: Avoid combination
Brincidofovir: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Brincidofovir. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Cladribine: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Cladribine. Risk X: Avoid combination
Coccidioides immitis Skin Test: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the diagnostic effect of Coccidioides immitis Skin Test. Management: Consider discontinuing therapeutic immunosuppressants several weeks prior to coccidioides immitis skin antigen testing to increase the likelihood of accurate diagnostic results. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
COVID-19 Vaccine (Adenovirus Vector): Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of COVID-19 Vaccine (Adenovirus Vector). Management: Administer a 2nd dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (at least 4 weeks after the primary vaccine dose) and a bivalent booster dose (at least 2 months after the additional mRNA dose or any other boosters). Risk D: Consider therapy modification
COVID-19 Vaccine (Inactivated Virus): Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of COVID-19 Vaccine (Inactivated Virus). Risk C: Monitor therapy
COVID-19 Vaccine (mRNA): Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of COVID-19 Vaccine (mRNA). Management: Give a 3-dose primary series for all patients aged 6 months and older taking immunosuppressive medications or therapies. Booster doses are recommended for certain age groups. See CDC guidance for details. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
COVID-19 Vaccine (Subunit): Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of COVID-19 Vaccine (Subunit). Risk C: Monitor therapy
COVID-19 Vaccine (Virus-like Particles): Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of COVID-19 Vaccine (Virus-like Particles). Risk C: Monitor therapy
Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine (Live): Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine (Live). Specifically, the risk of vaccine-associated infection may be increased. Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine (Live). Risk X: Avoid combination
Denosumab: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Denosumab. Management: Consider the risk of serious infections versus the potential benefits of coadministration of denosumab and immunosuppressants. If combined, monitor for signs/symptoms of serious infections. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Deucravacitinib: May enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents). Risk X: Avoid combination
Efgartigimod Alfa: May diminish the therapeutic effect of Fc Receptor-Binding Agents. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Filgotinib: May enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents). Risk X: Avoid combination
Inebilizumab: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Inebilizumab. Risk C: Monitor therapy
InFLIXimab: May enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Biologic Anti-Psoriasis Agents. Risk X: Avoid combination
Influenza Virus Vaccines: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Influenza Virus Vaccines. Management: Administer influenza vaccines at least 2 weeks prior to initiating immunosuppressants if possible. If vaccination occurs less than 2 weeks prior to or during therapy, revaccinate 2 to 3 months after therapy discontinued if immune competence restored. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Leflunomide: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Leflunomide. Management: Increase the frequency of chronic monitoring of platelet, white blood cell count, and hemoglobin or hematocrit to monthly, instead of every 6 to 8 weeks, if leflunomide is coadministered with immunosuppressive agents. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Natalizumab: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Natalizumab. Risk X: Avoid combination
Ocrelizumab: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Ocrelizumab. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Ofatumumab: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Ofatumumab. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Pidotimod: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Pidotimod. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Pimecrolimus: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Pimecrolimus. Risk X: Avoid combination
Pneumococcal Vaccines: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Pneumococcal Vaccines. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Poliovirus Vaccine (Live/Trivalent/Oral): Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Poliovirus Vaccine (Live/Trivalent/Oral). Specifically, the risk of vaccine-associated infection may be increased. Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Poliovirus Vaccine (Live/Trivalent/Oral). Risk X: Avoid combination
Polymethylmethacrylate: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the potential for allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to Polymethylmethacrylate. Management: Use caution when considering use of bovine collagen-containing implants such as the polymethylmethacrylate-based Bellafill brand implant in patients who are receiving immunosuppressants. Consider use of additional skin tests prior to administration. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Rabies Vaccine: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Rabies Vaccine. Management: Complete rabies vaccination at least 2 weeks before initiation of immunosuppressant therapy if possible. If combined, check for rabies antibody titers, and if vaccination is for post exposure prophylaxis, administer a 5th dose of the vaccine. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Rubella- or Varicella-Containing Live Vaccines: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Rubella- or Varicella-Containing Live Vaccines. Specifically, the risk of vaccine-associated infection may be increased. Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Rubella- or Varicella-Containing Live Vaccines. Risk X: Avoid combination
Ruxolitinib (Topical): Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Ruxolitinib (Topical). Risk X: Avoid combination
Sipuleucel-T: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Sipuleucel-T. Management: Consider reducing the dose or discontinuing the use of immunosuppressants prior to initiating sipuleucel-T therapy. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Sphingosine 1-Phosphate (S1P) Receptor Modulator: May enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents). Risk C: Monitor therapy
Tacrolimus (Topical): Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Tacrolimus (Topical). Risk X: Avoid combination
Talimogene Laherparepvec: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Talimogene Laherparepvec. Specifically, the risk of infection from the live, attenuated herpes simplex virus contained in talimogene laherparepvec may be increased. Risk X: Avoid combination
Tertomotide: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Tertomotide. Risk X: Avoid combination
Tofacitinib: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Tofacitinib. Management: Coadministration of tofacitinib with potent immunosuppressants is not recommended. Use with non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) was permitted in psoriatic arthritis clinical trials. Risk X: Avoid combination
Typhoid Vaccine: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Typhoid Vaccine. Specifically, the risk of vaccine-associated infection may be increased. Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Typhoid Vaccine. Risk X: Avoid combination
Upadacitinib: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Upadacitinib. Risk X: Avoid combination
Vaccines (Inactivated/Non-Replicating): Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Vaccines (Inactivated/Non-Replicating). Management: Give inactivated vaccines at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of immunosuppressants when possible. Patients vaccinated less than 14 days before initiating or during therapy should be revaccinated at least 2 to 3 months after therapy is complete. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Vaccines (Live): May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents). Specifically, the risk of vaccine-associated infection may be increased. Vaccines (Live) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents). Risk X: Avoid combination
Yellow Fever Vaccine: Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Yellow Fever Vaccine. Specifically, the risk of vaccine-associated infection may be increased. Immunosuppressants (Therapeutic Immunosuppressant Agents) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Yellow Fever Vaccine. Risk X: Avoid combination
Guselkumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG1). Placental transfer of human IgG is dependent upon the IgG subclass, maternal serum concentrations, birth weight, and gestational age, generally increasing as pregnancy progresses. The lowest exposure would be expected during the period of organogenesis (Palmeira 2012; Pentsuk 2009).
Agents other than guselkumab are currently recommended for the treatment of psoriasis in pregnancy (AAD/NPF [Menter 2019]; Yeung 2020).
Data collection to monitor pregnancy and infant outcomes following exposure to guselkumab is ongoing. Patients exposed to guselkumab during pregnancy are encouraged to enroll themselves in the pregnancy registry (1-877-311-8972).
It is not known if guselkumab is present in breast milk.
However, guselkumab is a monoclonal IgG antibody; human IgG is known to be present in human milk. According to the manufacturer, the decision to breastfeed during therapy should consider the risk of infant exposure, the benefits of breastfeeding to the infant, and benefits of treatment to the mother.
CBC with differential (baseline); complete metabolic panel (baseline); tuberculosis (TB) screening prior to initiating and during therapy (chest X-ray if TB positive); hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus screening prior to initiating (all patients), HBV carriers (during and for several months following therapy); HIV screening in high-risk patients (baseline) (AAD/NPF [Menter 2019]).
Human IgG1 monoclonal antibody selectively binds with IL-23, thereby reducing serum levels of IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22. Guselkumab inhibits the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
Onset of action: Psoriasis: Response best determined after 12 weeks (AAD/NPF [Menter 2019]).
Distribution: Vd: 13.5 L.
Metabolism: Degraded into small peptides and amino acids via catabolic pathways in the same manner as endogenous IgG.
Bioavailability: SubQ: ~49%.
Half-life elimination: 15 to 18 days.
Time to peak: 5.5 days.
Solution Pen-injector (Tremfya Subcutaneous)
100 mg/mL (per mL): $15,099.65
Solution Prefilled Syringe (Tremfya Subcutaneous)
100 mg/mL (per mL): $15,099.65
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