Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, do not take any other medications, and have no other medical conditions, you are more likely to experience the following side effects:

• The most common side effect reported with Cosentyx is nasopharyngitis, which affects 11%-12% of people. Diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, rhinitis, oral herpes, and pharyngitis are among the 1% to 5% of people who experience side effects.
• Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, nausea, neutropenia (low levels of a type of white blood cell), thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels), and other infections are also common. Urticaria is a possibility.
• Cosentyx increases the likelihood of infection because it affects the immune system, reducing its ability to respond to pathogens. Upper respiratory tract infections, conjunctivitis, tinea, and oral candidiasis are the most common infections reported, and the rate of infection for Cosentyx in one trial was 28.7% compared to 18.9% of subjects treated with a placebo (an inactive treatment). Serious infections occurred in 0.14% of Cosentyx-treated patients versus 0.3% of placebo-treated patients. Cosentyx should not be started in people who have infection symptoms, and your doctor may decide to discontinue Cosentyx, either temporarily or permanently, if you develop an infection while taking Cosentyx.
• Before administering Cosentyx, all patients should have current vaccinations. Do not give live vaccines to people taking Cosentyx. Non-live vaccinations received during a course of Cosentyx may not elicit an immune response strong enough to prevent disease.
• Before you start Cosentyx, your doctor will ask if you have ever been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). If their investigations reveal that you have been exposed to tuberculosis, they may conduct additional tests and require you to take antibiotics. If you develop TB symptoms (such as a persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks, chest pain, or coughing up blood or sputum), contact your doctor right away.
• Serious hypersensitivity reactions (such as angioedema and urticaria) have been reported in a small number of Cosentyx patients. The first dose of Cosentyx should always be administered by a healthcare professional, and patients should be advised to seek immediate emergency care if they experience an allergic reaction. People who have previously had an allergic reaction to Cosentyx or any of its excipients should not be given Cosentyx.
• Patients taking Cosentyx are more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease. Diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, blood in the stool, and weight loss are all possible symptoms.
• Cosentyx is only available as an injection given through the skin. Before use, store it in the refrigerator at 2ºC to 8ºC (36ºF to 46ºF). Cosentyx does not contain preservatives, and the manufacturer recommends that the pre-filled syringe or SensoReady pen be discarded if left unrefrigerated for more than 4 days at room temperature, not exceeding 30°C. If Cosentyx has been left out of the fridge for more than four days, discard it. Cosentyx contains no preservatives, and microbial contamination may occur if stored improperly.
• The removable cap of the Cosentyx Sensoready pen and the Cosentyx prefilled syringe contain natural rubber latex. If latex-sensitive people handle the cap, they may develop an allergic reaction.
• It is unknown what effect Cosentyx has on the unborn child during pregnancy. There is no information on the effect of Cosentyx on lactation.

Seniors and children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures), or people who take other medications are more likely to experience a broader range of side effects.