Stelara (ustekinumab) is incredibly popular for treating certain conditions. Therefore, it pays to know a little bit more about this medication, including how long Stelara stays in your system.
Medscape and the FDA state the following information regarding Sterlara half-life:
Mean effective half-life: 14.9-45.6 days
Time to steady-state: Around 28 weeks
Mean accumulation ratio: 0.69 ± 0.69 mcg/mL for patients less than or equal to 100 kg receiving a 45 mg dose and 0.74 ± 0.78 mcg/mL for patients greater than 100 kg receiving a 90 mg dose
Terminal phase half-life: 19 days
Stelara a bioavailability of 57%. Since this drug is delivered via subcutaneous injections or IV infusion, it is readily available.
FAQ
What is the half-life of Stelara?
It varies based on usage, but it falls between 14.9-45.6 days.
How long does Stelara stay in your system?
It takes anywhere from 2.5 to 9 months for this medication to leave the system. Of course, those who have taken the drug for extended periods of time may find that it takes even longer to clear ustekinumab.
Sometimes, doctors may test patients to ensure they have been taking their medication as prescribed and that the drug is working properly, known as therapeutic drug monitoring. Test options for ustekinumab include:
- Serum: The Ustekinumab and Anti-Ustekinumab Antibody, DoseASSURE⢠UST, states:
- “Result â¥0.1 μg/mL indicates detection of ustekinumab”
- “Result â¥40ng/mL indicates detection of anti-ustekinumab antibodies”
How long does it take for Stelara to get out of your system?
About 2.5 to 9 months.
Is ustekinumab an immunosuppressant?
Ustekinumab is an immunosuppressant; it reduces the effect of a chemical that triggers inflammation.
What is the safest biologic?
Biologics like this one work by inhibiting certain immune system proteins, called cytokines. Medical science has provided biologics to treat disease for over a century. Earlier ones, such as adalimumab (Humira) or infliximab (Remicade), work by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The newer ones like ustekinumab (Stelara) take a more targeted approach to control inflammation and may be safer.
However, whichever medication is best depends largely on the patient and should be discussed closely with a licensed medical professional.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
