What does the availability of COVID-19 vaccines mean for patients taking COSENTYX® (secukinumab)?
- Prior to initiating therapy with COSENTYX, cosider completion of all age appropriate immunizations according to current immunization guidelines. COSENTYX may alter a patient's immune response to live vaccines. Avoid use of live vaccines in patients treated with COSENTYX.
- As of April 25, 2021, all COVID-19 vaccines with emergency use authorization are non-live vaccines, and at this time there are no live COVID-19 vaccines in phase 3 clinical development.2
What does COVID-19 mean for patients taking COSENTYX?
- At this time, Novartis has not yet evaluated the initiation or continuation of COSENTYX in patients with COVID-19.
- COSENTYX may increase the risk of infections. Exercise caution when considering the use of COSENTYX in patients with a chronic infection or a history of recurrent infection.1
- Instruct patients to seek medical advice if signs and symptoms suggestive of an infection occur. If a patient develops a serious infection, monitor the patient closely and discontinue COSENTYX until the infection resolves.1
Availability & Manufacturing
- Secukinumab is manufactured in France and Switzerland in sterile, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities.3
- At this time, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation does not anticipate supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We are confident that our existing stock is sufficient to cover production/distribution needs for the time being.
- Where required, we have enacted mitigation plans to ensure ongoing drug supply.4
- The quality, safety, and efficacy of our products are of fundamental importance to Novartis, and we are committed to ensuring that all our marketed products meet the highest quality standards.
Additional Information
Please refer to the following:
For any additional questions regarding this information, please contact Novartis Medical Information at
1-888-NOW-NOVA (1-888-669-6682) from Monday - Friday, 8:30
AM - 5:00
PM ET.
References: 1. Cosentyx [prescribing information]. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; May 2021. 2. American College of Rheumatology. April 2021 update: information from the American College of Rheumatology regarding vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. https://www.rheumatology.org/Portals/0/Files/ACR-Information-Vaccination-Against-SARS-CoV-2.pdf. Accessed June 11, 2021. 3. Data on file. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; East Hanover, NJ. 4. Novartis Global Website. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) update. Accessed: March 13, 2020. https://www.novartis.com/news/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-update.
