Stelara® Prefilled Syringe for Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and IBD

Stelara® Prefilled Syringe is the subcutaneous form of ustekinumab, a targeted biologic for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Available with US delivery from Canada, it supports maintenance dosing on a reliable schedule. Many people use Canadian pricing to reduce cash costs, including those paying without insurance.

As a maintenance option for immune-mediated disease, this syringe presentation helps maintain remission or control symptoms between clinic visits when appropriate. It is a single-use, ready-to-inject format designed for subcutaneous administration after proper training.

What Stelara® Is and How It Works

At CanadianInsulin, orders are filled by licensed Canadian pharmacies after we confirm a valid prescription with your clinic.

Ustekinumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds interleukin‑12 and interleukin‑23. By blocking these cytokines, Stelara® reduces inflammatory signaling that drives psoriatic skin plaques, joint inflammation, and intestinal inflammation. The prefilled syringe delivers a fixed subcutaneous dose. For inflammatory bowel disease, treatment typically starts with an intravenous induction dose given in clinic, followed by subcutaneous maintenance with the syringe. For psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, dosing begins subcutaneously and shifts to a long maintenance interval as outlined in the label.

Stelara is not an immediate symptom reliever. Benefits emerge as immune activity is modulated over time. When cost is a concern, patients often compare Canadian pricing options, including scenarios without insurance. For additional background and comparisons, see the in‑depth article Ustekinumab Vs Adalimumab and this overview Stelara Ustekinumab.

Who Stelara Is For

Indications include adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy; adults with active psoriatic arthritis; and adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Pediatric indications exist for plaque psoriasis in certain age groups per label-based guidance.

Stelara should not be used by anyone with a serious hypersensitivity to ustekinumab or formulation components. Use caution in individuals with chronic or recurrent infections, a history of tuberculosis, or malignancy risk factors. Screening for latent tuberculosis is recommended before initiation. Live vaccines should be avoided during treatment and for a period before and after therapy according to the label. Learn more about these conditions on our condition pages for Psoriasis and Ulcerative Colitis.

Dosage and Usage

Dosing differs by condition and sometimes by body weight. For plaque psoriasis in adults, subcutaneous dosing is given at week 0 and week 4, then shifts to a maintenance interval. A higher dose may be used above a certain weight threshold. For psoriatic arthritis, dosing generally mirrors the psoriasis schedule, with adjustments for coexisting moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

For Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, treatment typically begins with a single intravenous induction dose in a healthcare setting. Maintenance then continues with the prefilled syringe given subcutaneously. The usual maintenance interval is fixed and regular; check the official prescribing information for the specific schedule used for each diagnosis.

Administration involves injecting into the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm areas with site rotation. Avoid injecting into areas that are tender, bruised, erythematous, scaly, or affected by psoriasis plaques. Training from a qualified professional is recommended before first use.

Strengths and Forms

The prefilled syringe is commonly available in presentations suitable for adult maintenance dosing, such as 45 mg/0.5 mL and 90 mg/1 mL. Availability can vary by pharmacy and region. Certain syringe presentations may include a needle cover that contains latex; review the package components if latex sensitivity is a concern. An intravenous vial exists for IBD induction, prepared and administered in clinic; this listing focuses on the prefilled syringe for subcutaneous maintenance.

Missed Dose and Timing

If a scheduled subcutaneous dose is missed, take the dose when remembered and then continue on the prescribed maintenance interval. If the next dose is approaching, consult the label or clinic for specific guidance. Do not double a dose to make up for a missed injection. Keeping a calendar or reminder can help maintain the long-interval schedule.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store refrigerated in the original carton to protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not shake. If needed, the syringe can be kept at room temperature within the limits stated in the label for a one-time period; do not return to the refrigerator once stored at room temperature. When traveling, use an insulated container with cold packs to maintain temperature and prevent heat exposure. Write the date when removing a syringe from the refrigerator for room-temperature storage and discard if the labeled time window is exceeded. Temperature-sensitive items ship with cold-chain handling and insulated packaging.

For convenience while arranging refills or travel plans, ordering can be completed online and coordinated with prompt, express, cold-chain shipping.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

This is a single-use prefilled syringe. Do not share syringes. Do not attempt to replace the needle. Do not reuse a syringe once the needle has penetrated the skin. After injection, place the used syringe in an FDA-cleared sharps container; if none is available, use a heavy-duty plastic household container with a tight, puncture-resistant lid until a proper sharps disposal option is accessible. Keep all sharps out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits

• Targeted mechanism that modulates IL‑12/23 pathways rather than broad immunosuppression.
• In psoriatic disease, reduces plaque thickness, scaling, and erythema and helps improve joint symptoms.
• In Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, induces and maintains clinical response and remission in many patients.
• Infrequent maintenance dosing after the start phase, supporting adherence and convenience.
• Prefilled syringe format designed for consistent subcutaneous administration after training.

Side Effects and Safety

Common effects may include upper respiratory infections, nasopharyngitis, headache, fatigue, cough, injection-site redness or pruritus, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or back pain. These are not exhaustive lists.

Serious risks include severe infections, reactivation of latent tuberculosis, hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, and rare cases of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Nonmelanoma skin cancers have been reported with immunosuppressive therapies; periodic skin monitoring may be considered in those with risk factors. Seek urgent care for signs of severe allergic reaction or serious infection such as persistent fever, productive cough, shortness of breath, or significant malaise.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

• Avoid live vaccines during treatment and for a period before and after therapy per label guidance. Inactivated vaccines may be considered.
• Use with other potent biologic immunosuppressants or targeted DMARDs can increase infection risk; combination therapy decisions should be guided by a clinician.
• Screening for latent tuberculosis and evaluation for chronic infections is recommended prior to initiation.
• Discuss prior malignancy, demyelinating disease, or phototherapy exposure when assessing benefit-risk.

What to Expect Over Time

Skin symptoms in plaque psoriasis can begin to improve after the start phase, with further gains on maintenance dosing. Joint and bowel symptoms often respond gradually. Flares may still occur; the goal is fewer and milder flares and improved quality of life over months of steady therapy. Because dosing intervals are long, adherence to the schedule is important. Educational articles such as Ustekinumab Vs Adalimumab can help frame expectations around safety and alternatives.

Compare With Alternatives

For plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, IL‑17 inhibitors are common alternatives. Options include Cosentyx and Taltz. TNF inhibitors such as adalimumab or etanercept are also widely used. Mechanism, dosing frequency, and safety profiles differ; selection is individualized by diagnosis, severity, comorbidities, and prior biologic exposure. For a deeper dive into Stelara’s place in therapy, see our guide Stelara Ustekinumab.

Pricing and Access

Cross-border fulfillment from licensed Canadian pharmacies often offers meaningful savings compared with typical US cash prices. Many customers choose Canadian pricing even without insurance. To review availability and current options for this biologic, create an account and upload a valid prescription. Orders ship from Canada to the US with prompt, express, cold-chain shipping. For related therapies, browse the category Autoimmune Disorders. Looking for potential extra savings or seasonal offers? See our Promotions.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary by strength and presentation. If a requested presentation is unavailable, a prescriber may recommend a suitable alternative in the same class or another biologic. While biosimilar ustekinumab products have emerged in some markets, direct generic substitution is not routinely dispensed in Canada at this time. If formulary or supply changes occur, clinicians may consider a biosimilar where appropriate.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

• Good candidates typically include those with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease who have not achieved goals with conventional therapy.
• Use is generally avoided in individuals with active serious infections until controlled.
• Consider bundled refills or multi-month maintenance planning where permitted by the prescription to reduce per-shipment costs.
• Set calendar reminders to align injections with clinic follow-up and to prevent missed doses.
• When traveling, plan refrigeration and carry-on storage to avoid temperature excursions; order in advance to ensure cold-chain packing meets itinerary needs.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• What baseline screening is recommended before starting ustekinumab, including TB testing and hepatitis B evaluation?
• Which maintenance interval and dose strength fit the current diagnosis and body weight?
• What signs of infection or hypersensitivity should prompt urgent evaluation?
• How do vaccines fit into the treatment plan, and which should be avoided during therapy?
• What lab monitoring or dermatologic checks are advised over time?
• If response is partial, what adjustments or alternative biologics should be considered?

Authoritative Sources

• Stelara Prescribing Information
• FDA Drug Label
• MedlinePlus Ustekinumab

Ready to proceed? Place an order for US delivery from Canada, and we will arrange prompt, express, cold-chain shipping to protect the medicine in transit.

Disclaimer: This material is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always follow the official prescribing information and the care plan set by the treating clinician.