Just recently the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved the medicine STELARA for certain patients with Ulcerative Colitis.
This happened towards the end of October 2019, and as is often the case, there are probably quite a few UC’ers in the US as well as other countries around the world who have been introduced to this medication probably by Gastro doctors.
Here is what the manufacturer had to say on their press release of this news:
HORSHAM, Pa., Oct. 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of STELARA® (ustekinumab) for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. The approval for this new indication is based on the pivotal Phase 3 UNIFI clinical trial which achieved its primary endpoint of clinical remission. Results from UNIFI demonstrate that treatment with STELARA both induced and maintained clinical remission in a significantly greater proportion of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) compared to placebo.
STELARA is a BIOLOGIC medication, and as you would expect is only available via prescription from a doctor.
Here is the STELARA Medication Guide published on the FDA’s website: Medication Guide
STELARA was originally approved for other indications, psoriasis and later Crohn’s Disease by the FDA.
What would be excellent is for anybody who has experience with STELARA to add a review below so others can learn from your experience.
If you have any interest, absolutely go and speak with a GI doctor, make sure to understand the potential benefits and risks as all treatments come with both.
Best to you,
Adam
I started site shortly after being diagnosed in October of 2008 with severe pancolitis (when my whole colon was inflamed).
For me, it was a very rough start with severe symptoms. Getting bounced from medication to medication was not easy or too helpful. But, I did meet another UC’er, changes several parts of my diet, and of course the rest is history.
Leave a comment, ask a question, take advantage of our past experiences here, use the search boxes, they are your friends to0:)
I’ve written 2 different ulcerative colitis ebooks, you can check them out here.
And, the Free eNewsletter, which has important updates can be joined here.
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I have not used Stelara yet, nor am I sure I’m even going to use it.
My GI doctor recommended Stelara after my last nearly 2 month flare up stating he would like to move me alway from using prednisone for a few months which I have done each of the past 4 years. The last flare up I’m convinced was started from taking ibuprofen. Prednisone is so bad for the health.
Which brings me back to Stelara side effects. I’ve had Malignant Melanoma which is the worst form of skin cancer. One of the side effects of Stelara is development of skin cancer.
I’m in remission now and plan to stay that way.
