Navigating dry, itchy skin can be a common concern, but discerning when these symptoms might signal a more serious underlying condition is key. Dermatologists emphasize understanding the signs of conditions like plaque psoriasis (PsO), a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Experts also aim to clarify misconceptions surrounding PsO and outline available treatment pathways for diagnosed individuals.
Understanding Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is characterized by raised, red, scaly patches on the skin. The appearance and severity can vary significantly among individuals, and it may present differently across various skin tones. Common misconceptions often lead to delayed diagnosis or inadequate management of the condition.
Treatment Options and Considerations
For individuals diagnosed with plaque psoriasis, a range of treatments are available, from topical therapies to systemic medications and phototherapy. For those with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from systemic therapy or phototherapy, TREMFYA® (guselkumab) is a prescription medicine indicated for adults and children aged 6 and older weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg). TREMFYA® is also approved for active psoriatic arthritis in adults, and moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease in adults.
Important Safety Information for TREMFYA®
TREMFYA® is a prescription medication that may cause serious side effects. These can include serious allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat, trouble breathing, or skin rash, which require immediate medical attention. Additionally, TREMFYA® may lower the immune system’s ability to fight infections, potentially increasing the risk of serious infections, including tuberculosis (TB). Healthcare providers will screen for infections and TB before starting treatment and monitor patients closely.
Liver problems are another potential serious side effect, particularly when TREMFYA® is used for ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Blood tests may be conducted to monitor liver function, and treatment may be stopped if liver issues arise. Symptoms to watch for include unexplained rash, fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and dark urine.
It is crucial to inform your healthcare provider about all existing medical conditions, including any history of infections, TB, or recent immunizations. Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should discuss potential risks with their doctor, as the effects of TREMFYA® on unborn babies are not fully known. A pregnancy registry is available to gather safety information.
Potential Side Effects
Common side effects associated with TREMFYA® include respiratory tract infections, headache, injection site reactions, joint pain, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, fungal skin infections, herpes simplex infections, stomach pain, bronchitis, fatigue, fever, and rash. Patients should consult their doctor for a complete list of potential side effects and for medical advice regarding any experienced symptoms.
TREMFYA® is administered via subcutaneous injection (100 mg/mL and 200 mg/2 mL) or intravenous infusion (200 mg/20 mL). Patients are advised to use TREMFYA® exactly as prescribed by their healthcare provider.
INDICATIONS
WHAT IS TREMFYA® (guselkumab)?
TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 years and older who also weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light).
TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 years and older who also weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg) with active psoriatic arthritis.
TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.
TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®? TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine that may cause serious side effects, including:
- Serious Allergic Reactions. Stop using TREMFYA® and get emergency medical help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
- fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure)
- swelling of your face, eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
- trouble breathing or throat tightness
- chest tightness
- skin rash, hives
- itching
- Infections. TREMFYA® may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with TREMFYA® and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with TREMFYA® if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with TREMFYA®.Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, including:
- fever, sweats, or chills
- muscle aches
- weight loss
- cough
- warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body different from your psoriasis
- diarrhea or stomach pain
- shortness of breath
- blood in your phlegm (mucus)
- burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal
- Liver Problems. With the treatment of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment with TREMFYA®. With the treatment of plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver before and as necessary during treatment with TREMFYA®. Your healthcare provider may stop treatment with TREMFYA® if you develop liver problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- unexplained rash
- vomiting
- tiredness (fatigue)
- yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes
- nausea
- stomach pain (abdominal)
- loss of appetite
- dark urine
Do not take TREMFYA® if you have had a serious allergic reaction to guselkumab or any of the ingredients in TREMFYA®.
Before using TREMFYA®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have any of the conditions or symptoms listed in the section “What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®?”
- have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back.
- have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
- have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). You should avoid receiving live vaccines during treatment with TREMFYA®. Children should be brought up to date with all vaccines before starting TREMFYA®.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TREMFYA® can harm your unborn baby.
Pregnancy Registry: If you become pregnant during treatment with TREMFYA®, talk to your healthcare provider about registering in the pregnancy exposure registry for TREMFYA®. You can enroll by visiting www.mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/tremfya-guselkumab, by calling 1- 877-311-8972, or emailing [email protected]. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of TREMFYA® during pregnancy.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TREMFYA® passes into your breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What are the possible side effects of TREMFYA®?
TREMFYA® may cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®?”
The most common side effects of TREMFYA® include: respiratory tract infections, headache, injection site reactions, joint pain (arthralgia), diarrhea, stomach flu (gastroenteritis), fungal skin infections, herpes simplex infections, stomach pain, bronchitis, feeling very tired (fatigue), fever (pyrexia), and skin rash (rash).
These are not all the possible side effects of TREMFYA®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Use TREMFYA® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
Please read the full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, for TREMFYA® and discuss any questions that you have with your doctor.
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.
Dosage Forms and Strengths: TREMFYA® is available as 100 mg/mL and 200 mg/2 mL for subcutaneous injection and as a 200 mg/20 mL (10 mg/mL) single dose vial for intravenous infusion.
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Business Style Takeaway: Understanding the nuances of chronic skin conditions like plaque psoriasis is crucial for proactive health management. Early recognition of symptoms and awareness of advanced treatment options can significantly improve quality of life, enabling individuals to maintain productivity and well-being in their professional and personal spheres.
Based on materials from : theskimm.com