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Stelara vs Humira
Has your doctor spoken to you about Stelara or Humira? Do you want to find out more? Stelara and Humira are injecta...
Read moreStelara may increase the risk of infections and it’s recommended to avoid uncooked or potentially contaminated foods while on this medication. There are also certain diet recommendations you can follow if you have plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis. Eating and avoiding certain foods can help with the symptoms of these medical conditions.
Stelara is a biologic drug that is FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved to treat:
This medication belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. Biologics are made from living cells and work by targeting a specific protein involved in the overactive immune response that causes these conditions. It is manufactured by Janssen Biotech, Inc.
Over 425,000 patients in the United States have been treated with Stelara for Crohn’s disease and other medical conditions. Over 100,000 patients in the United States have been treated with Stelara for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The active ingredient in Stelara is ustekinumab, which is a human monoclonal antibody. Ustekinumab works by targeting and binding to two different proteins: interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23. These are cytokines, which are involved in the overactive immune response that leads to plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. By binding to these proteins, ustekinumab blocks their ability to bind to other cells and reduces the overactive immune response. This leads to a decrease in inflammation and the symptoms of these conditions.
The treatment starts with a one-time intravenous (IV) infusion through a vein in your arm that is administered by a medical professional. After the initial infusion, you will continue receiving the medication as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) every 8 weeks. There are a total of 6 injections that are received during the first year of treatment.
The most common side effects of Stelara include:
Stelara is a prescription drug that affects your immune system and may lower your ability to fight infections that can increase your chances of having serious infections or side effects including certain types of skin cancer (especially for people with risk factors for skin cancer), tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
Serious allergic reactions can occur while taking Stelara. You should get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
This is not a full list of all possible side effects of Stelara. Speak with your doctor about any side effects that you may experience while taking this medication.
Get your Stelara medication for only $49 per month
Get StartedStelara may increase the risk of infections so people who take Stelara may be advised to take certain precautions to protect themselves, such as avoiding uncooked or potentially contaminated foods. As well, infection with salmonella as a result of eating undercooked meat, poultry and eggs could be more serious for some people that are taking Stelara.
While there are no specific foods that cannot be eaten while on Stelara, there are certain diet recommendations you can follow depending on your medical condition.
If you have any questions about the best diet for your condition, get medical advice from your healthcare professional or speak with a registered dietitian.
Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches on the skin. If you have plaque psoriasis, you may want to avoid certain foods that can worsen your symptoms. Cutting back on these foods can help improve your psoriasis symptoms and overall health.
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis. If you have psoriatic arthritis, you may want to avoid certain foods that can worsen your symptoms. Some foods can make your psoriatic arthritis symptoms worst.
You can also consider any of the following diets:
Chron’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. Cutting back on certain foods can help improve your Crohn’s disease symptoms and overall health.
It is recommended to eat four to six meals daily, stay hydrated, and drink slowly. Use simple cooking techniques such as boiling, grilling, steaming, and poaching.
Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes intense periods of abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite. Eating certain foods and cutting back on certain foods can help improve your ulcerative colitis symptoms and reduce the risk of flares and inflammation.
Stelara is a biologic prescription drug used to treat:
Only use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Stelara is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of your healthcare provider.
In children 6 years of age and older, it is recommended that this medication only be administered by a healthcare provider.
Do not inject Stelara on your own unless your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver may administer your injections for you at home. You should first receive training on how to prepare and inject Stelaraa.
Your healthcare provider will prescribe the right dose of Stelara for you to take, the amount to be used for each injection, and the frequency for you to receive this medication.
Do not take Stelara if you:
Before starting to take this medication, tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms such as:
You should tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription drugs and over‐the‐counter products, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
There are no known interactions between Stelara and other medications. It can be used alone or with methotrexate. However, as with all medications, it is always best to speak with your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
You cannot receive a live vaccine while taking Stelara. Before taking Stelara, tell your healthcare provider if you have recently received or are planning to receive an immunization (vaccine). As well, tell your healthcare provider if anyone in your house needs a vaccine as the viruses that are used in some types of vaccines could spread to people with a weakened immune system which may cause serious problems. For one year before and after taking Stelara, you should also not receive the BCG vaccine.
Yes, you can take vitamin D with Stelara. Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps keep your bones healthy and strong. It is important to get enough vitamin D, especially if you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, as these conditions can make it difficult to absorb this nutrient from food.
You can get vitamin D from food, such as fatty fish, eggs, and fortified milk. You can also get vitamin D from supplements or exposure to sunlight.
If you have any questions about the best way to get vitamin D, speak with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian.
Has your doctor spoken to you about Stelara or Humira? Do you want to find out more? Stelara and Humira are injecta...
Read moreHealthline - All about Stelara
MedicalNewsToday - What is Stelara?
StelaraInfo - Learn about Stelara
HopkinsMedicine - Psoriasis Diet: Foods to eat and avoid if you have psoriasis
Healthline - Foods to limit when you have psoriatic arthritis
Arthritis.org - The ultimate arthritis diet
Cleveland Clinic - What not to eat if you have Crohn’s disease
MedicalNewsToday - Foods to eat and avoid with ulcerative colitis
EverydayHealth - Stelara information
Drugs.com - Drug Interactions between Stelara and Vitamin D3