Uslara may be prescribed for the management of:

• Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: Helps reduce skin inflammation, scaling and thickened skin plaques in people who require systemic treatment or phototherapy.

• Active psoriatic arthritis: Helps control joint inflammation, pain and swelling associated with this condition.

• Moderately to severely active Crohn's disease: Helps reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and control disease activity.

• Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis: Helps control inflammation in the colon and manage symptoms associated with the condition.

The doctor decides the appropriate indication, dose and duration of treatment based on the patient's condition and response.

Uslara contains Ustekinumab, a human monoclonal antibody that targets the p40 protein subunit shared by two immune signalling proteins, interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23 (IL-23).

These proteins play an important role in activating immune cells and maintaining inflammatory responses. Ustekinumab binds to their shared p40 subunit and prevents them from interacting with their cell-surface receptors.

This reduces inflammatory signalling and helps control the immune activity responsible for conditions such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Uslara may interact with certain medicines and vaccines. Inform your doctor about all the medicines and supplements you are taking, particularly:

• Other immunosuppressants: Combining Uslara with other medicines that suppress the immune system may increase the risk of infections. Your doctor will assess the benefits and risks before combining these treatments.

• Live vaccines: Live vaccines should generally be avoided during treatment because the reduced immune response may increase the risk of vaccine-related infection.

• Allergen immunotherapy: Treatment with Uslara may affect the body's response to allergen immunotherapy. Inform your doctor if you are receiving or planning this treatment.

• Store Uslara in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C.

• Keep the injection in its original carton to protect it from light.

• Do not freeze or shake the injection.

• Keep it out of the reach of children.

• Do not use the injection if it has been frozen, damaged or shows unusual changes in appearance.

• Uslara is administered as a subcutaneous injection, meaning it is injected under the skin.

• It is generally administered into the upper arm, thigh or abdomen.

• A healthcare professional should demonstrate the correct injection technique if home administration has been advised.

• Follow the prescribed dose and injection schedule. Do not change the dose or stop treatment without consulting your doctor.

• Rotate injection sites to reduce the risk of local skin reactions.

• Do not inject into skin that is bruised, tender, hard or affected by psoriasis plaques.

Uslara may cause some side effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Common side effects

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Upper respiratory tract infections

• Nasopharyngitis

• Injection-site redness or irritation

• Nausea

• Joint pain

Serious side effects

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Serious infections: Persistent fever, chills, cough or other signs of an infection.

• Severe allergic reactions: Swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing or widespread skin reactions.

• Tuberculosis reactivation: Persistent cough, fever, night sweats or unexplained weight loss.

• Neurological symptoms: Sudden headache, confusion, seizures or changes in vision that may indicate a rare condition called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).

• Serious lung reactions: Persistent cough or breathlessness.

• Complete tuberculosis screening before starting treatment, as Ustekinumab may reactivate latent tuberculosis.

• Inform your doctor about any active or recurring infections before receiving an injection.

• Avoid live vaccines during treatment unless your specialist specifically advises otherwise.

• Keep your scheduled appointments so your doctor can assess your response to treatment.

• Tell your doctor if you have a history of cancer or have previously received other biological medicines.

• Report persistent fever, unusual infections or unexplained symptoms promptly.

• Store the injection under the recommended refrigeration conditions and protect it from light.

• Do not discontinue treatment or change your injection schedule without medical advice.