Key takeaways

  • Tremfya (guselkumab) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and more.
  • Tremfya is an immunosuppressant and treats psoriatic arthritis by targeting a protein called interleukin-23 (IL-23) that causes inflammation.
  • Tremfya is not approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Tremfya comes as a liquid solution inside a prefilled, single-use injection pen, syringe, or One-Press device. It’s given as an injection under your skin. (Note: Tremfya also comes in a single-use vial and is given as an intravenous infusion, but this form is not used for psoriatic arthritis.)

Tremfya is a biologic drug. It contains the active ingredient is guselkumab and belongs to a group of drugs called interleukin-23 blockers.

Tremfya is also approved to treat plaque psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. This article will focus on how Tremfya works to treat psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune condition that affects the skin and joints. It often causes alternating episodes of active symptoms followed by periods of fewer symptoms. Symptoms can include fatigue, scaly skin patches, and swollen or tender joints.

Doctors prescribe Tremfya to ease symptoms of psoriatic arthritis in adults and children ages 6 years and older who also weigh at least 40 kilograms (kg) with active psoriatic arthritis. One kg is equal to about 2.2 pounds, so 40 kg is approximately 88 lb.

Tremfya can be used alone or with a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), such as methotrexate (Rasuvo, Trexall, others).

Tremfya is typically used when other treatments have not been effective for you. Examples of these other treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other DMARDs, such as leflunomide (Arava).

If you have questions about using Tremfya for psoriatic arthritis, talk with your doctor.

Psoriatic arthritis occurs when the immune system becomes overactive and triggers inflammation in the skin and joints.

How a drug works is known medically as its mechanism of action. Tremfya is an immunosuppressant and treats psoriatic arthritis by targeting a protein called interleukin-23 (IL-23) that causes inflammation. By blocking IL-23, Tremfya helps reduce inflammation in the skin and joints and can ease symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

For more information about how Tremfya works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Studies show that Tremfya is an effective treatment for psoriatic arthritis. Many people who used Tremfya in studies had fewer symptoms after 24 weeks of treatment.

To learn more about the effectiveness of Tremfya in these studies, talk with your doctor. You can also see the manufacturer’s website or view Tremfya’s prescribing information.

The following is the recommended dosage of Tremfya for treating psoriatic arthritis. But be sure to follow the instructions and dosage your doctor prescribes.

What is the usual dosage of Tremfya for psoriatic arthritis?

For psoriatic arthritis, the typical dosage of Tremfya is 100 milligrams (mg) per dose. You’ll use the first two doses 4 weeks apart. After that, you’ll inject the drug once every 8 weeks.

Note: Tremfya has other uses in addition to treating psoriatic arthritis. The dosage may be different for these other uses. To learn more, talk with your doctor.

How do you use Tremfya?

Tremfya comes as a liquid solution inside a prefilled, single-use injection pen, syringe, or One-Press device. You will receive it as an injection under your skin.

You’ll self-inject Tremfya under the skin of your thigh or abdomen. Alternatively, a caregiver can inject the drug under the skin of your upper arm.

If you have questions about using Tremfya, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How often should I use Tremfya?

For the first two doses, you’ll inject Tremfya once every 4 weeks. After that, you’ll inject the drug once every 8 weeks.

Using Tremfya for psoriatic arthritis may cause side effects in some people. These side effects can be mild to serious.

Tremfya is also approved to treat plaque psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. It’s important to note that side effects from Tremfya may differ depending on the condition it’s used to treat.

The following lists include some of the main side effects reported in people using Tremfya. For information about other possible side effects of the drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also learn more from this Tremfya side effects article or the drug’s prescribing information.

Tremfya’s mild side effects

Tremfya may cause mild side effects in some people. These include:

In many cases, mild side effects from the drug can be temporary. Some side effects may be easy to manage, too. But if side effects last for a longer time, or if they bother you or become severe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Tremfya’s serious side effects

Using Tremfya may lead to rare but serious side effects. Examples include:

Call your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects while using Tremfya. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Tremfya can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Tremfya treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Tremfya, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Before you use Tremfya, there’s some important information to keep in mind. The drug may not be a safe option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Some of these are mentioned here.

If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors apply to you, talk with your doctor before using Tremfya.

  • if you have an infection or have ever had TB
  • if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering either
  • if you’ve had an allergic reaction to the drug or any of its ingredients

Find answers to commonly asked questions about Tremfya.

No, Tremfya is not a corticosteroid. Instead, it belongs to a group of drugs called interleukin-23 blockers.

Both Tremfya and corticosteroids can reduce inflammation from psoriatic arthritis, but they work differently. Corticosteroids mimic natural hormones to help ease inflammation, while Tremfya targets a specific protein. (For details, see “How Tremfya works to treat psoriatic arthritis.”)

Your doctor can help you decide whether Tremfya, a corticosteroid, or another option may be suitable for treating your condition.

Tremfya is not approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Instead, it’s approved to treat psoriatic arthritis and several other conditions.

Psoriatic arthritis and RA are distinct conditions. They involve different parts of the immune system and often respond to different medications.

To learn more about RA treatment options, talk with your doctor.

Not necessarily. Tremfya has not been shown to increase sun sensitivity in studies.

Other medications used for psoriatic arthritis can make skin more sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. One example is methotrexate (Rasuvo, Trexall, others), which is sometimes used with Tremfya. If you use these together, your doctor may recommend extra sun protection.

Keep in mind that sunburn can trigger skin symptoms for some people with psoriatic arthritis. While outdoors, protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen and protective clothing.

If you have other questions about Tremfya and sun exposure, talk with your doctor.

The price of Tremfya depends on several factors. These can include your treatment plan, your insurance plan, the pharmacy you use, and your location.

Tremfya is a brand-name biologic drug. It’s not available in a biosimilar version.

Disclaimer: While Healthline 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.