Key takeaways

  • Tremfya is a brand-name medication prescribed to help treat certain inflammatory conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis.
  • Common side effects of Tremfya are typically mild and include upper respiratory infections, injection site reactions, and headaches.
  • Tremfya works by targeting interleukin-23, a protein that causes inflammation.

Tremfya (“trem-FYE-ah”) is a prescription medication used to treat a number of chronic inflammatory conditions.

It belongs to a group of biologic medications called human monoclonal antibodies. No biosimilar versions of Tremfya are available at this time.

Tremfya comes as a liquid solution in prefilled syringes and pens for self-injection under the skin, or in vials for intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional.

Tremfya is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.

Key terms

  • Biologic medications (“biologics”) are complex drugs made from natural, living sources. Biologics can be composed of proteins, sugars, nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), or a combination of these substances. They also may contain living entities, such as cells and tissues.
  • Human monoclonal antibodies are lab-made proteins that mimic natural antibodies in the immune system to fight diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infections.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tremfya for use to treat the following conditions:

Tremfya contains the active ingredient guselkumab, an interleukin-23 inhibitor.

It works by binding to interleukin-23 (a protein in the body) that’s overactive. By binding to this protein, Tremfya reduces the activity of your immune system, easing inflammation and reducing symptoms of your condition.

The Tremfya dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition for which Tremfya is prescribed
  • your age
  • other medical conditions you may have

The dosing schedule for most people is a self-administered injection under the skin every 4 or 8 weeks after an initial dosing period. For ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, your Tremfya treatment may begin with IV infusions administered by a healthcare professional.

Tremfya is usually given as a subcutaneous injection. For ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease, it’s given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional at the start of treatment before you start giving yourself Tremfya doses via subcutaneous injections.

For the subcutaneous injection, a healthcare professional will usually give you your first dose. Then, they can show you or your caregiver how to administer injections at home. Also, the Tremfya website has instructions and videos to help you learn how to use Tremfya.

Tremfya comes as a solution inside prefilled syringes, prefilled pens, and One-Press injectors. You may find one form easier to use than the other, so ask your doctor which form is right for you.

Take Tremfya out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before each dose. This will help avoid any discomfort the injection might cause. The drug is a colorless to light yellow solution. Be sure to look at the medication to make sure it’s not cloudy or discolored. If so, dispose of the syringe, pen, or injector properly and use a new one.

The most common side effects of Tremfya reported in clinical trials of the drug included:

This list does not include all possible side effects of Tremfya, and side effects can vary based on the condition being treated.

As with all medications, the cost of Tremfya can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance coverage, location, and the pharmacy you use.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Tremfya or help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

The manufacturer of Tremfya offers a program called Tremfya withMe. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 833-948-4631 or visit the manufacturer’s website.

Tremfya can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions increase the number of side effects or make them more severe.

Tremfya and other medications

Some medications can interact with Tremfya, such as the following:

Before starting Tremfya, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tremfya and live vaccines

Getting live (active) vaccines during Tremfya treatment may increase your risk of infection.

Live vaccines contain a weakened form of a virus or bacterium. If your immune system is healthy, live vaccines should not make you sick. But Tremfya may weaken your immune system. So your body may not be able to fight the virus or bacterium in the vaccine to build immunity as your body usually would.

Examples of live vaccines that you should avoid include:

However, it’s safe to get non-live (inactive) vaccines during your Tremfya treatment. These vaccines do not contain any live viruses. Examples of non-live vaccines include:

Before you start Tremfya, ask your doctor if you need any vaccines. The manufacturer of Tremfya recommends updating all vaccinations before starting treatment.

Tremfya, herbs, and supplements

No herbs or supplements have been specifically reported to interact with Tremfya. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products during Tremfya treatment.

Tremfya and alcohol

Tremfya does not interact with alcohol. However, it’s important to consider how alcohol may affect your condition overall. Drinking alcohol may increase inflammation in your body and worsen the conditions that Tremfya is approved to treat. Alcohol may also make it harder for your immune system to fight off infections.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor. They can tell you how much is safe for you to drink during your Tremfya treatment.

Before starting Tremfya, talk with your doctor about your health history. Tremfya may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • current or past infections, including tuberculosis (TB)
  • allergic reaction to Tremfya or any of its ingredients
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Tremfya and pregnancy, breastfeeding, and birth control

If you can become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or are using birth control, it’s important to consider whether Tremfya is a safe choice for you.

Using more than the recommended dosage of Tremfya can lead to serious side effects. See the “Tremfya side effects” section for more information.

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve used too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or through its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication. You should store Tremfya in its original packaging in your refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2° to 8°C). It can be removed from the refrigerator at temperatures between 46°F and 86°F (8°C and 30°C) only once for up to 4 hours before use.

You should protect the drug from light, and you should avoid shaking or freezing Tremfya.

Disposal

Tremfya syringes, pens, and injectors are made for single-use only. If you no longer need to use Tremfya and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children or pets, from accidental exposure to the drug. Proper disposal also helps keep Tremfya from harming the environment.

Learn more about where and how to dispose of unused medications. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication.

Tremfya and Humira are both biological drugs that have been approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of:

  • active psoriatic arthritis
  • moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
  • moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC)
  • moderate to severe Crohn’s disease

But Humira is approved for the treatment of additional conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other types of arthritis.

Also, Tremfya and Humira have different active ingredients and therefore differ in effectiveness and side effects for different people.

For more about the differences between Tremfya and Humira and which medication is best for you, talk with your doctor.

Yes, Tremfya is an immunosuppressant. This means it works by lowering your immune system’s activity.

Specifically, Tremfya binds to a specific protein in your body and reduces the activity of your immune system. This action helps ease inflammation and reduce the symptoms of your condition.

If you have more questions about immunosuppressants, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tremfya has not been linked to weight loss or weight gain in clinical trials. However, weight loss could be a sign of an infection, such as tuberculosis (TB), or another condition that requires treatment.

If you have unexpected weight loss or weight gain during Tremfya treatment, tell your doctor. They can check to see what may be causing your weight to change.

Tremfya should not cause you to lose your hair. However, scalp psoriasis can cause temporary hair loss. Using certain psoriasis treatments other than Tremfya, or scalp irritation from scratching, can also cause hair loss.

If you have scalp psoriasis and are concerned about hair loss, talk with your doctor. They may be able to suggest ways to help prevent hair loss.

Tremfya is a prescription medication used to treat several chronic inflammatory conditions, including plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The active ingredient in Tremfya, guselkumab, works by blocking a specific protein that causes skin inflammation and joint pain. Most people receive Tremfya as an injection under the skin every 4 or 8 weeks. While it helps clear skin and reduce swelling, it can cause side effects like upper respiratory infections, headaches, or discoloration at the injection site. Because it affects the immune system, doctors will check for infections like tuberculosis before you start treatment.

Disclaimer: While Medical News Today strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.