Cosentyx (secukinumab) is a prescription brand-name medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat the following conditions:
- ankylosing spondylitis that’s active (causing symptoms)
- plaque psoriasis that’s moderate to severe
- active psoriatic arthritis
- active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
- active arthritis related to enthesitis (inflammation of the entheses, which are areas on the bones where tendons and ligaments attach)
For plaque psoriasis, Cosentyx may be given to adults and children ages 6 years and older. For psoriatic arthritis, Cosentyx may be given to adults and children ages 2 years and older. For active arthritis related to enthesitis, Cosentyx may be given to adults and children ages 4 years and older. For all other approved uses, Cosentyx can be given to adults.
The active drug in Cosentyx is secukinumab. It’s a biologic that belongs to a group of medications called monoclonal antibodies. Cosentyx isn’t available in
Cosentyx is given as a subcutaneous injection. It’s available in three forms:
- liquid solution in a single-use Sensoready pen
- liquid solution in a single-use prefilled syringe
- powder in a single-use vial that’s made into a liquid solution by a healthcare professional
For information on the dosage of Cosentyx, including its forms, strength, and how to use the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Cosentyx, including details about its uses, see this article.
This article describes typical dosages for Cosentyx provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Cosentyx, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is information about common dosages of Cosentyx.
Cosentyx forms
Cosentyx comes as the following forms, all of which are given by subcutaneous injection:
- liquid solution in a single-use Sensoready pen
- liquid solution in a single-use prefilled syringe
- powder in a single-use vial that’s made into a liquid solution by a healthcare professional
If you have a latex allergy, it’s important to note that the Sensoready pen and the prefilled syringe have caps that contain natural rubber. So depending on how severe your latex allergy is, your doctor may recommend a different treatment for your condition.
Cosentyx strength
Cosentyx liquid solution is available in these strengths:
- 150 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL) in single-use Sensoready pens
- 150 mg/mL and 75 mg/0.5 mL in single-use prefilled syringes
As a powder, Cosentyx comes in one strength: 150 mg. This form is only available to healthcare professionals. They’ll mix the Cosentyx powder into a liquid solution before giving your injection.
Typical dosages
The following sections describe dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage schedule to fit your needs.
A healthcare professional, such as your doctor or pharmacist, will give you your first Cosentyx injection. After that, you may be given instructions for how to give yourself Cosentyx injections at home.
Your doctor may or may not prescribe a loading dose of Cosentyx for you. A loading dose may also be called a starting dose. This is a higher dose of a medication given when you first begin treatment. It helps the drug start working quickly.
Long-term use
Cosentyx is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Cosentyx is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
There are two ways your doctor may prescribe Cosentyx for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS):
- Depending on how severe your AS is, you may be prescribed a loading dose of one 150-mg injection once a week for 5 weeks. Then, your dosage frequency will change to 150 mg every 4 weeks.
- The second way Cosentyx can be prescribed for treating AS is without a loading dose. In this case, your dosage will be a 150-mg injection every 4 weeks.
If your AS continues to cause symptoms while you’re taking 150-mg injections, your doctor may increase your Cosentyx dosage to 300 mg every 4 weeks. This is given as two 150-mg injections.
Cosentyx may be used in adults and children ages 6 years and older with this condition. Dosages for adults and children are described below.
Dosage for plaque psoriasis in adults
For treating plaque psoriasis, Cosentyx’s typical starting dosage in adults is 300 mg (given as two 150-mg injections) once per week. This is taken at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 of treatment. This is the loading dose phase. After this, your dosage frequency will decrease to 300 mg every 4 weeks.
If your doctor determines that your plaque psoriasis can be treated with a lower dosage, you may start by taking 150 mg of Cosentyx instead. This may be taken once per week for weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Then, your doctor will change your dosage frequency to 150 mg every 4 weeks.
Dosage for plaque psoriasis in children
The recommended dose for plaque psoriasis in children is based on body weight as follows in the table below.
| Body weight of child | Recommended dose of Cosentyx |
| less than 50 kilograms (about 110 pounds) | 75 mg |
| 50 kilograms or more | 150 mg |
Cosentyx doses are given every week for 5 weeks. After week 5, Cosentyx doses are given once every 4 weeks.
Cosentyx may be used in adults and children ages 2 years and older with this condition. Dosages for adults and children are described below.
Dosage for psoriatic arthritis in adults
For psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treatment in adults, your Cosentyx dosage may differ depending on whether you also have plaque psoriasis.
If you have both PsA and plaque psoriasis that’s moderate or severe, your dosage will be the same as the dosage for plaque psoriasis. See the “Cosentyx dosage for plaque psoriasis” section above for more information.
If you have PsA only, there are two different dosages of Cosentyx your doctor may prescribe:
- Depending on how severe your PsA is, you may be prescribed a loading dose of one 150-mg injection once a week for 5 weeks. Then your dosage frequency will change to 150 mg every 4 weeks.
- The second way Cosentyx can be prescribed for treating PsA is without a loading dose. In this case, your dosage will be a 150-mg injection every 4 weeks.
If your psoriatic arthritis continues to cause symptoms while you’re taking 150-mg injections, your doctor may increase your Cosentyx dosage to 300 mg every 4 weeks. This is given as two 150-mg injections.
Dosage for psoriatic arthritis in children
The recommended dose for psoriatic arthritis in children is based on body weight as follows in the tablet below.
| Body weight of child | Recommended dose of Cosentyx |
| 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds) to less than 50 kilograms (about 110 pounds) | 75 mg |
| 50 kilograms or more | 150 mg |
Cosentyx doses are given every week for 5 weeks. After week 5, Cosentyx doses are given once every 4 weeks.
There are two recommended Cosentyx dosages for treating non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis:
- Depending on how severe your condition is, you may be prescribed a loading dose of one 150-mg injection once a week for 5 weeks. Then, your dosage frequency will change to 150 mg every 4 weeks.
- The second way Cosentyx can be prescribed for treating axial spondyloarthritis is without a loading dose. In this case, your dosage will be a 150-mg injection every 4 weeks.
Cosentyx may be used in adults and children ages 4 years and older with this condition. Dosages for adults and children are described below.
Dosage for arthritis related to enthesitis in adults
For arthritis related to enthesitis in adults, the recommended Cosentyx dosing is a loading dose once a week for 5 weeks. Then, doses are given once every 4 weeks.
Recommended doses vary with body weight as follows:
- For people weighing 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds) to less than 50 kilograms (about 110 pounds), the dose is 75 mg.
- For people weighing 50 kilograms or more, the dose is 150 mg.
Dosage for arthritis related to enthesitis in children
The recommended dose for enthesitis-related arthritis in children is based on body weight as follows in the table below.
| Body weight of child | Recommended dose of Cosentyx |
| 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds) to less than 50 kilograms (about 110 pounds) | 75 mg |
| 50 kilograms or more | 150 mg |
Cosentyx doses are given every week for 5 weeks. After week 5, Cosentyx doses are given once every 4 weeks.
If you miss a Cosentyx dose, take it as soon as you remember. However you shouldn’t double up on your doses. So, if it’s almost time to take your next dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend when you should take your next dose.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too.
Cosentyx is given as a subcutaneous injection. You’ll receive your first Cosentyx injection at your doctor’s office or clinic. A healthcare professional may then teach you how to administer Cosentyx injections to yourself at home. You’ll do this using either prefilled Sensoready pens, or prefilled syringes.
The Cosentyx website has videos about how to give Cosentyx injections to yourself. You can also talk with a Cosentyx support specialist and get live virtual training on how to give injections. To use this service, call Cosentyx Connect at 844-COSENTYX (844-267-3689). Your doctor or pharmacist can also answer any questions about how to use Cosentyx.
The Cosentyx dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on the type and severity of the condition you’re using Cosentyx to treat.
Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may prescribe a higher Cosentyx dosage at the beginning of your treatment. This is called a loading dose, or a starting dose. It helps the drug start working quickly.
Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest Cosentyx dosage that provides the desired effect for your condition.
It’s important that you don’t use more Cosentyx than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Cosentyx
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Cosentyx. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Cosentyx for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Cosentyx without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Cosentyx that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Cosentyx. These additional articles might be helpful to you:
- More about Cosentyx. For information about other aspects of Cosentyx, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Cosentyx, see the Cosentyx medication guide.
- Drug comparison. To find out how Cosentyx compares with Stelara, read this article. And to learn how Cosentyx compares with Humira, read this article.
- Details on your condition. For details on your condition, see our lists of:
- psoriatic arthritis articles
- psoriasis articles and our article about Cosentyx for psoriasis
- rheumatology articles
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.