secukinumab
Brand names: Cosentyx
Cosentyx is a medicine that can help reduce inflammation in your body. It is used to treat several conditions, including psoriasis and arthritis.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$7206.70/unit
Generic Available
No
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Cosentyx treats moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in patients 6 years and older.
Common side effects
Common cold (nasopharyngitis), Diarrhea, Upper respiratory tract infection
Key warnings
Cosentyx may increase your risk of getting serious infections.
How It Works
Cosentyx is a type of medicine called an interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor. IL-17A is a protein in the body that causes inflammation. Cosentyx blocks IL-17A, which helps to reduce inflammation and the symptoms of certain diseases.
How to Take It
Cosentyx can be given as a shot under the skin (subcutaneous injection) or through a needle into your vein (intravenous infusion). Before starting Cosentyx, you need to get all your vaccines and be tested for tuberculosis (TB). Your doctor will tell you how much Cosentyx to take and how often. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Cosentyx will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Cosentyx if you are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Cosentyx, take it as soon as you remember. Then, continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Keep Cosentyx in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C) in its original container to protect from light. Do not freeze or shake.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 137,088 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 157,236 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2012–2025.
Total Reports
157,236
Death-Related Reports
7,752
Hospitalization Reports
20,636
Top Indication
Psoriasis
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 28,717 |
| 2 | PSORIASIS | 22,567 |
| 3 | PAIN | 16,136 |
| 4 | ARTHRALGIA | 14,488 |
| 5 | FATIGUE | 10,192 |
| 6 | PSORIATIC ARTHROPATHY | 9,805 |
| 7 | PRURITUS | 9,168 |
| 8 | MALAISE | 9,100 |
| 9 | RASH | 8,709 |
| 10 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 8,206 |
| 11 | DIARRHOEA | 7,681 |
| 12 | NASOPHARYNGITIS | 7,487 |
| 13 | PAIN IN EXTREMITY | 7,099 |
| 14 | HEADACHE | 6,938 |
| 15 | OFF LABEL USE | 6,356 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Cosentyx may increase your risk of getting serious infections. Tell your doctor if you have any infections or a history of infections. If you have a serious allergic reaction, stop using Cosentyx right away and get medical help.
Common Questions
What should I do if I have an allergic reaction to Cosentyx?
Can Cosentyx be used in children?
Does Cosentyx interact with other medications?
How is Cosentyx given?
What if I have a chronic infection?
Can I get live vaccines while taking Cosentyx?
What are the common side effects of Cosentyx?
What should I do if I develop an infection while taking Cosentyx?
How should I store Cosentyx?
What if I have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
What are the common side effects of secukinumab?
What drug class is secukinumab?
Is secukinumab safe during pregnancy?
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What the FDA Data Shows for secukinumab
The FDA label for secukinumab (sold under brand names such as Cosentyx) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the IL-17A Inhibitor (Biologic) class. Cosentyx treats moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in patients 6 years and older. Official labeling lists 3 commonly reported side effects, including Common cold (nasopharyngitis), Diarrhea, Upper respiratory tract infection.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 137,088 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 12, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages