Pyzchiva (Intravenous)
Pyzchiva (Intravenous)
Ustekinumab is used in adults and children who are at least 6 years old for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis or to treat moderate to severe psoriasis who may also receive phototherapy or other treatments for psoriasis.
Ustekinumab is also used in adults to treat moderately to severely active Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Ustekinumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
uses
What is Pyzchiva (Intravenous) used for?
warnings
What is the most important information I should know about Pyzchiva (Intravenous)?
You should not use ustekinumab if you are allergic to it.
Before you start using ustekinumab , tell your doctor if you have any signs of infection such as fever, chills, cough, body aches, tiredness, open sores, or skin wounds, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss, painful urination, or coughing up blood.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
- an active, chronic, or recent infection;
- tuberculosis, been exposed to tuberculosis, or if you recently traveled;
- new or changing skin lesions;
- a latex allergy;
- phototherapy (light therapy);
- allergy shots; or
- if you recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine.
Using ustekinumab may increase your risk of developing other cancers. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.
Tell your child's vaccination provider if you have used ustekinumab during pregnancy.
It is not known if ustekinumab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
Side Effects
What are the side effects of Pyzchiva (Intravenous)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Serious infections may occur during treatment with ustekinumab. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, diarrhea or stomach pain, burning when you urinate, feeling very tired, skin warmth or redness, painful skin sores, or coughing up blood.
Also call your doctor at once if you have:
- changes in skin;
- new or worsening cough, sudden chest pain, feeling short of breath; or
- severe headache, confusion, change in mental status, vision problems, or seizures.
Your treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.
Common side effects may include:
- fever, flu-like symptoms;
- itching;
- stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- vaginal itching or discharge;
- pain or burning when you urinate;
- cough with mucus, shortness of breath, chest discomfort;
- headache, tiredness; or
- redness where in the area of the skin where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Can I take Pyzchiva (Intravenous) if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Tell your child's vaccination provider if you have used ustekinumab during pregnancy.
It is not known if ustekinumab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
Interactions
What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Pyzchiva (Intravenous)?
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
You should not receive a vaccine while using ustekinumab. and avoid being near someone who recently received a live vaccine. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).
You should not receive a BCG vaccine before or for at least 1 year after your last dose of ustekinumab.
Dosage Guidelines & Tips
How to take Pyzchiva (Intravenous)?
Use Pyzchiva (Intravenous) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Remain under the care of a doctor while using ustekinumab.
Before you start treatment with ustekinumab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections.
If you have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, ustekinumab is given as an infusion into a vein by a healthcare provider for the first dose. Later doses are then injected under the skin once every 8 weeks.
If you have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, ustekinumab is injected under the skin. Your doctor will determine your treatment schedule.
A healthcare provider may give you this injection or teach you how to properly use this medicine by yourself. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand how to give an ustekinumab injection.
A full dose of ustekinumab may require more than one injection under the skin. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row. Avoid injecting into skin that is red, bruised, tender, or hard.
Doses are based on weight. Your dose may change if you gain or lose weight.
Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Call your pharmacist if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors or has particles in it.
Throw away a prefilled syringe after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.
Do not reuse a needle or syringe. Place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
You may be prescribed medicine to help prevent tuberculosis infection. Keep taking this medicine for as long as your doctor has prescribed.
You will need frequent blood tests.
Store in the refrigerator away from light. Do not freeze. Store ustekinumab vials in an upright position. Do not shake the medicine.
You may store ustekinumab at room temperature. Certain formulations may only be stable for a limited number of days after being removed from the refrigerator. Throw away any medicine not used within that time. Talk to your pharmacist if you have any questions.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.