Posology : מינונים

4.2    Posology and method of administration

STELARA is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of physicians experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions for which STELARA is indicated.

Posology

Plaque psoriasis
The recommended posology of STELARA is an initial dose of 45 mg administered subcutaneously, followed by a 45 mg dose 4 weeks later, and then every 12 weeks thereafter.

Consideration should be given to discontinuing treatment in patients who have shown no response up to 28 weeks of treatment.

Patients with body weight > 100 kg
For patients with a body weight > 100 kg the initial dose is 90 mg administered subcutaneously, followed by a 90 mg dose 4 weeks later, and then every 12 weeks thereafter. In these patients, 45 mg was also shown to be efficacious. However, 90 mg resulted in greater efficacy. (see section 5.1, Table 4).

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
The recommended posology of STELARA is an initial dose of 45 mg administered subcutaneously, followed by a 45 mg dose 4 weeks later, and then every 12 weeks thereafter. Alternatively, 90 mg may be used in patients with a body weight > 100 kg.

Consideration should be given to discontinuing treatment in patients who have shown no response up to 28 weeks of treatment.

Elderly (≥ 65 years)
No dose adjustment is needed for elderly patients (see section 4.4).

Renal and hepatic impairment
STELARA has not been studied in these patient populations. No dose recommendations can be made.
Paediatric population
The pre-filled pen has not been studied in the paediatric population and is not recommended for use by paediatric patients.
The safety and efficacy of STELARA in children with psoriasis less than 6 years of age or in children with psoriatic arthritis less than 18 years of age have not yet been established. See section 4.2 of the pre-filled syringe prescribing information for posology and method of administration in paediatric patients 6 years and older with psoriasis.

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
In the treatment regimen, the first dose of STELARA is administered intravenously. For the posology of the intravenous dosing regimen, see section 4.2 of the STELARA 130 mg Concentrate for solution for infusion prescribing information.

The first subcutaneous administration of 90 mg STELARA should take place at week 8 after the intravenous dose. After this, dosing every 12 weeks is recommended.

Patients who have not shown adequate response at 8 weeks after the first subcutaneous dose, may receive a second subcutaneous dose at this time (see section 5.1).

Patients who lose response on dosing every 12 weeks may benefit from an increase in dosing frequency to every 8 weeks (see section 5.1, section 5.2).
Patients may subsequently be dosed every 8 weeks or every 12 weeks according to clinical judgment (see section 5.1).

Consideration should be given to discontinuing treatment in patients who show no evidence of therapeutic benefit 16 weeks after the IV induction dose or 16 weeks after switching to the 8-weekly maintenance dose.

Immunomodulators and/or corticosteroids may be continued during treatment with STELARA. In patients who have responded to treatment with STELARA, corticosteroids may be reduced or discontinued in accordance with standard of care.

In Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis, if therapy is interrupted, resumption of treatment with subcutaneous dosing every 8 weeks is safe and effective.

Elderly (≥ 65 years)
No dose adjustment is needed for elderly patients (see section 4.4).

Renal and hepatic impairment
STELARA has not been studied in these patient populations. No dose recommendations can be made.
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of STELARA in treatment of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis in children less than 18 years have not yet been established. No data are available.

Method of administration
STELARA 45 mg and 90 mg pre-filled pens are for subcutaneous injection only. If possible, areas of the skin that show psoriasis should be avoided as injection sites.

After proper training in subcutaneous injection technique, patients or their caregivers may inject STELARA if a physician determines that it is appropriate. However, the physician should ensure appropriate follow-up of patients. Patients or their caregivers should be instructed to inject the prescribed amount of STELARA according to the directions provided in the package leaflet.
Comprehensive instructions for administration are given in the package leaflet.

For further instructions on preparation and special precautions for handling, see section 6.6.