7 Cosentyx Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Cosentyx (secukinumab) is an injectable medication that's used to treat different inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, such as plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Cosentyx is a lab-made antibody that blocks a protein involved in inflammation. This can dampen an overactive immune system. But it can also increase the risk of infections, among other side effects.

When considering Cosentyx, it's good to be aware of both its benefits and potential risks. Here's what you should know about Cosentyx side effects, how to monitor for them, and when to seek medical care.

Cosentyx side effects at a glance

Cosentyx is considered generally safe to use. But as with any new medication, you may experience some side effects when you start treatment. If you're wondering what to expect when you start receiving Cosentyx, we'll break it down for you here.

Common (reported by at least 2% of people during clinical trials) Cosentyx side effects include:

• Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), such as the common cold

• Diarrhea

• Headaches

• Nausea

Rare and potentially serious Cosentyx side effects include:

• Severe skin reactions

• Serious infections (including tuberculosis)

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

In rare cases, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) have been reported in people receiving Cosentyx. Get immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face or throat. And since the removable caps on Cosentyx pens and syringes contain latex, make sure to tell your prescriber if you have a latex allergy.

Below we'll look more closely at seven Cosentyx side effects and discuss how to manage them. Most of these side effects can be managed at home, but in some cases, you'll want to notify a healthcare professional. Just keep in mind that this isn't a comprehensive list.

1. Upper respiratory tract infections

Cosentyx suppresses the immune system. This can increase your risk of infections, including upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Your upper respiratory tract is a linked system that runs from your nose and nasal cavity, through your mouth and throat, down to your larynx (voice box). Some examples of URTIs are the common cold, sinus infections, and laryngitis.

If you develop a URTI, you may have mild symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and cough. These symptoms should go away on their own with time. But it's still a good idea to tell your prescriber if you're getting sick, or if your symptoms don't seem to be improving after 10 days.

Until you're feeling better, you can use home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications to help with your individual symptoms. Your prescriber or pharmacist can help you find options that will be safe and effective for you.

2. Diarrhea

One of Cosentyx's common side effects is diarrhea, or loose, watery stool that occurs more than three times a day. Diarrhea may be more likely with higher Cosentyx dosages.

With diarrhea related to Cosentyx, symptoms should improve over time. But in the meantime, here are a few ways you can manage your symptoms at home:

• Avoid fatty, fried, or spicy foods.

• Try eating a bland diet until your symptoms improve.

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

• Consider probiotics to improve your gut microbiome.

• Talk to your healthcare team about taking OTC antidiarrheal medications.

If you're having persistent diarrhea, contact your prescriber. This is also the case if you notice blood in your stool, which can be a sign of inflammatory bowel disease.

3. Headaches

While you're taking Cosentyx, you may experience headaches. These headaches are usually mild and improve over time. In the meantime, you can treat your headaches with a number of at-home solutions and OTC treatments, which include:

• Drinking more water

• Reducing stress

• Exercising

• Avoiding food triggers

• Improving your sleep hygiene

• Eating anti-inflammatory foods

• Taking an OTC pain reliever approved by your healthcare team

If your headaches are severe or don't go away after taking the above measures, notify your prescriber. They may be able to offer additional solutions.

4. Nausea

Like many other medications, Cosentyx may cause nausea when first you start treatment. Nausea can be an unpleasant feeling, but there are some things you can do to manage it.

Firstly, you can try following the BRAT diet - which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast - for a short period of time. Having small amounts of bland foods can help symptoms, even though food might not be enticing when you're nauseated. And be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration can make the feeling of nausea even worse.

If you need additional help dealing with nausea, you can try OTC antiemetic medications. And if you really can't keep any food or water down despite these methods, call your prescriber.

5. Serious skin reactions

Some people have experienced serious skin reactions that look like eczema days to months after starting Cosentyx. Symptoms of these skin reactions may include:

• Red or itchy skin

• Small bumps or patches

• Dry, leathery skin

• Oozing blisters on hands or feet

• Skin peeling

If you notice these skin changes, contact your prescriber right away. They may have you stop taking Cosentyx temporarily. Depending on the case, you may be able to continue taking Cosentyx while your skin reaction is being treated. But if you develop red, itchy bumps along with symptoms such as swelling of the face or throat, go to the ER.

6. Increased risk of infections

In addition to URTIs, you may have a higher risk of other types of infections with Cosentyx, especially with higher dosages. And if you have an active infection, Cosentyx can make it harder to fight if off.

Your prescriber may run some tests to check for certain infections, such as tuberculosis and hepatitis B, before you start treatment with Cosentyx. They may also recommend getting certain vaccines. Tell your prescriber if you have an active infection before starting treatment.

People receiving Cosentyx during clinical trials had higher rates of oral herpes (cold sores), candida (fungal) infections, and staphylococcal skin infections. Serious infections and reactivation of the hepatitis B virus have also been reported with the medication.

Getting an infection while being treated with Cosentyx can be serious and shouldn't be taken lightly. Tell your prescriber if you think that you might have an infection. They may tell you to stop Cosentyx until the infection resolves.

7. Inflammatory bowel disease

New cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, have been reported in some people receiving Cosentyx. And if you already have IBD, Cosentyx can cause it to worsen or flare up. In some cases, flares-up may be serious and lead to hospitalization.

While using Cosentyx, tell your healthcare team if you notice symptoms such as new or worsening stomach pain, severe diarrhea, or bloody stool.