Stelara (ustekinumab) is a brand-name prescription drug that treats Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis. Stelara comes as a solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection or an IV infusion. The dosage can vary based on several factors.
Stelara is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults. It is also prescribed to certain children to treat plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Stelara is a monoclonal antibody, which is a
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Stelara, including its strengths and how to receive the medication. For a comprehensive look at Stelara, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Stelara provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When using Stelara, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
If your doctor has prescribed Stelara, you may have questions about your dosage, such as what a typical injection dosage is or what a low Stelara dosage may be for your condition. Following are details about Stelara dosage by weight, how often to take Stelara, and other information about how the drug is used.
Stelara forms and strengths
Stelara comes as a liquid solution and contains the active drug ustekinumab. It’s available in the following forms and strengths, listed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL).
| Stelara form | Strength(s) |
|---|---|
| single-dose prefilled syringe for subcutaneous injection | 45 mg/0.5 mL and 90 mg/mL |
| single-dose vial for subcutaneous injection, for use with a syringe and needle | 45 mg/0.5 mL |
| single-dose vial for intravenous (IV) infusion, which is administered only by healthcare professionals | 5 mg/mL |
Note that the prefilled syringe has a latex needle cover. If you have a latex allergy, let your doctor know. Together, you can discuss other options for receiving Tremfya that would be right for you.
Typical dosages and schedules
The following information describes dosing schedules that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to use the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosing schedule to fit your needs.
Dosage for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
Stelara is used to treat some forms of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. For this purpose, you’ll have a starting dose followed by maintenance doses.
Starting dose for Crohn’s disease or UC
For Crohn’s disease or UC, you’ll first receive a starting dose of Stelara by IV infusion. A starting dose (also known as a loading dose) is used to get the medication working quickly in your body.
Your doctor will determine your starting dose based on your weight, as given in the following table. (“Kg” stands for kilograms, and “lb” stands for pounds.)
| Body weight | Stelara dose |
|---|---|
| 55 kg (about 121 lb) or less | 260 mg |
| more than 55 kg to 85 kg (about 187 lb) | 390 mg |
| more than 85 kg | 520 mg |
Maintenance dosage for Crohn’s disease or UC
For treating Crohn’s disease or UC, the recommended maintenance dosage of Stelara is a 90-mg subcutaneous injection given every 8 weeks, regardless of your weight. The maintenance dosage is the usual dosage you’ll receive after your starting dose.
Dosage for plaque psoriasis
For treating some forms of plaque psoriasis, adults receive Stelara by subcutaneous injection. The Stelara dosage is based on your weight as follows:
- If you weigh 100 kg (about 220 lb) or less: You’ll first receive a 45-mg dose. After 4 weeks, you’ll receive a second 45-mg dose. Then you’ll receive a 45-mg dose every 12 weeks.
- If you weigh more than 100 kg: You’ll first receive a 90-mg dose. After 4 weeks, you’ll receive a second 90-mg dose. Then you’ll receive a 90-mg dose every 12 weeks.
Dosage for psoriatic arthritis
For treating some forms of psoriatic arthritis, adults receive Stelara by subcutaneous injection. Your first dose will be a 45-mg injection. You’ll receive a second 45-mg dose 4 weeks later. Then you’ll have a 45-mg injection every 12 weeks.
If you weigh more than 100 kg (about 220 lb) and also have plaque psoriasis, your doctor will typically prescribe a 90-mg dose. After your first dose, you’ll receive a 90-mg dose 4 weeks later. Then you’ll have a 90-mg dose every 12 weeks.
Long-term use
Stelara is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Stelara is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.
Children’s dosage
Stelara is approved to treat some forms of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in certain children ages 6 years and older. For this purpose, Stelara is given by subcutaneous injection.
The recommended children’s dosage is based on body weight. For children weighing less than 60 kg (about 132 lb), doctors will calculate the dose in mg per kg of a child’s body weight. Children weighing more will receive doses of predetermined strength, as listed in the tables that follow.
Here are the recommended children’s dosages for plaque psoriasis.
| Body weight | Recommended dose |
|---|---|
| less than 60 kg (about 132 lb) | 0.75 mg per kg of body weight |
| 60 kg to 100 kg (about 220 lb) | 45 mg |
| more than 100 kg | 90 mg |
Recommended children’s dosages for psoriatic arthritis are as follows.
| Body weight | Recommended dose |
|---|---|
| less than 60 kg | 0.75 mg per kg |
| 60 kg or more | 45 mg |
| more than 100 kg and plaque psoriasis is also present | 90 mg |
After your child receives their first dose for either plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, they’ll receive a second dose 4 weeks later. Then they’ll receive a dose every 12 weeks.
If you miss a dose of Stelara, talk with your doctor. They can work with you to set up a new dosing schedule.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app.
The Stelara dosage that your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the condition or conditions you’re using Stelara to treat
- your weight
- your age
You should always use the Stelara dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
Dosage adjustments
If you have both plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, your doctor will typically prescribe a higher Stelara dose than usual for you. For more information, see “Dosage for psoriatic arthritis.”
Be sure to use Stelara according to your doctor’s instructions.
Stelara is given by subcutaneous injection for the conditions it’s approved to treat most of the time. A healthcare professional will give you your first dose. They may also show you how to inject the medication yourself for future doses. The drug can be injected under the skin of your abdomen, thighs, buttocks, or upper arms.
If you’re using Stelara to treat Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, you’ll receive your first dose as an intravenous (IV) infusion. This is an injection into a vein given over a period of time. A healthcare professional will give you the IV infusion at a clinic, doctor’s office, or infusion center. After your first dose, you’ll receive Stelara as subcutaneous injections.
To help you give yourself Stelara injections, the drug’s manufacturer includes step-by-step instructions in Stelara’s prescribing information. It also provides instructional videos about how to self-inject Stelara.
It’s important that you don’t use more Stelara than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.
If you use more than the recommended amount of Stelara
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Stelara. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical ones provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Stelara for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Stelara without your doctor’s approval. If you have questions about the dosage of Stelara that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about the dosages, you may want other information about Stelara. These additional articles might be helpful to you:
- More about Stelara: For information about other aspects of Stelara, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Stelara, see this article. You can also look at the Stelara prescribing information.
- Cost: For information about Stelara’s cost, view this article.
- Drug comparisons: To find out how Stelara compares with other drugs, read the comparison articles for Cosentyx, Humira, and Otezla.
- Details about your condition: For details about your condition, see our:
- psoriasis hub and list of psoriasis articles
- arthritis hub and list of psoriatic arthritis articles
- list of Crohn’s articles and this article about Stelara for Crohn’s disease
- list of ulcerative colitis articles
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
