Stelara

Stelara (ustekinumab): is indicated for the use in patients with IBD (Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis). 

Stelara is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD) in adults and children 6 years and older. 

You should NOT receive Stelara if you have:  

• Had an allergic reaction to STELARA or any of its ingredients. 

Before receiving STELARA, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:  

• Have or think you may have an infection or have infections that keep coming back 

• Have liver problems 

• Have tuberculosis (TB) or have been in close contact with someone with TB 

• Have recently received or are scheduled to receive a live vaccine 

• If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, plan to become pregnant, or plan to breastfeed. 

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the -counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.  

Get your doctor’s approval first before receiving any vaccinations. 

What the Treatment Involves 

Stelara is given to a patient through an IV needle placed in the patient’s hand or arm. Stelara is given over 60 minutes. Patients will receive a total of 3 infusions. This is done in our infusion center where the patient can watch their electronic devices, read, or sleep while they are receiving their treatment.  

STELARA may cause serious side effects, including: 

• Infusion-related and serious allergic reactions can happen while you are receiving STELARA or several hours after treatment. You may need treatment if you have an allergic reaction. Tell your healthcare provider or get immediate medical help if you get any of these symptoms during or after an infusion of STELARA: rash, itching, swelling of your lips, tongue, throat or face, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, wheezing, dizziness, feeling hot, or palpitations (feel like your heart is racing). 

• Infections. STELARA may increase your risk of getting a serious infection. Before receiving and during treatment with STELARA, tell your healthcare provider if you think you have an infection or symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, red or painful skin or sores on your body, tiredness, or pain during urination. 

• Liver problems can happen in people who receive STELARA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms: tiredness, loss of appetite, pain on the right side of your abdomen, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). 

The most common side effects of STELARA include:  

• Nasal congestion 

• Sore Throat 

• Joint pain 

• Headache 

• Back pain 

• Fatigue 

• Nausea 

• Vomiting 

• Vaginal yeast infections 

• Bronchitis 

• Urinary tract infection 

• Abdominal Pain 

These are not all the possible side effects of STELARA. Consult with your GI specialist for medical advice about side effects. 

For complete information, please visit:  Stelara.com