Wezlana Dosage

Generic name: USTEKINUMAB 45mg in 0.5mL
Dosage form: injection, solution
Drug class: Interleukin inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 21, 2024.

Psoriasis

Subcutaneous Adult Dosage Regimen

For patients weighing 100 kg or less, the recommended dose is 45 mg initially and 4 weeks later, followed by 45 mg every 12 weeks.
For patients weighing more than 100 kg, the recommended dose is 90 mg initially and 4 weeks later, followed by 90 mg every 12 weeks.

In subjects weighing more than 100 kg, 45 mg was also shown to be efficacious. However, 90 mg resulted in greater efficacy in these subjects.

Subcutaneous Pediatric Dosage Regimen

Administer WEZLANA subcutaneously at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks thereafter. The recommended dose of WEZLANA for pediatric patients (6–17 years old) based on body weight is shown below (Table 1).

Table 1. Recommended Dose of WEZLANA for Subcutaneous Injection in Pediatric Patients (6–17 years old) With Psoriasis
Body Weight of Patient at the Time of Dosing	Recommended Dose
less than 60 kg	0.75 mg/kg
60 kg to 100 kg	45 mg
more than 100 kg	90 mg

For pediatric patients weighing less than 60 kg, the administration volume for the recommended dose (0.75 mg/kg) is shown in Table 2; withdraw the appropriate volume from the single-dose vial.

Table 2. Injection Volumes of WEZLANA 45 mg/0.5 mL Single Dose Vials for Pediatric Patients (6–17 years old) With Psoriasis and Pediatric Patients (6-17 years old) With Psoriatic Arthritis* Weighing Less Than 60 kg
Body Weight (kg) at the time of dosing	Dose (mg)	Volume of injection (mL)
* Refer to 2.2 Psoriatic Arthritis; Subcutaneous Pediatric Dosage Regimen.
15	11.3	0.12
16	12.0	0.13
17	12.8	0.14
18	13.5	0.15
19	14.3	0.16
20	15.0	0.17
21	15.8	0.17
22	16.5	0.18
23	17.3	0.19
24	18.0	0.20
25	18.8	0.21
26	19.5	0.22
27	20.3	0.22
28	21.0	0.23
29	21.8	0.24
30	22.5	0.25
31	23.3	0.26
32	24	0.27
33	24.8	0.27
34	25.5	0.28
35	26.3	0.29
36	27	0.3
37	27.8	0.31
38	28.5	0.32
39	29.3	0.32
40	30	0.33
41	30.8	0.34
42	31.5	0.35
43	32.3	0.36
44	33	0.37
45	33.8	0.37
46	34.5	0.38
47	35.3	0.39
48	36	0.4
49	36.8	0.41
50	37.5	0.42
51	38.3	0.42
52	39	0.43
53	39.8	0.44
54	40.5	0.45
55	41.3	0.46
56	42	0.46
57	42.8	0.47
58	43.5	0.48
59	44.3	0.49

Psoriatic Arthritis

Subcutaneous Adult Dosage Regimen

The recommended dose is 45 mg initially and 4 weeks later, followed by 45 mg every 12 weeks.
For patients with co-existent moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis weighing more than 100 kg, the recommended dose is 90 mg initially and 4 weeks later, followed by 90 mg every 12 weeks.

Subcutaneous Pediatric Dosage Regimen

Administer WEZLANA subcutaneously at Weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks thereafter.

The recommended dose of WEZLANA for pediatric patients (6 to 17 years old) with psoriatic arthritis, based on body weight, is shown below (Table 3).

Table 3. Recommended Dose of WEZLANA for Subcutaneous Injection in Pediatric Patients (6 to 17 years old) with Psoriatic Arthritis
Body Weight of Patient at the Time of Dosing	Recommended Dose
* For pediatric patients weighing less than 60 kg, the administration volume for the recommended dose (0.75 mg/kg) is shown in Table 2; withdraw the appropriate volume from the single-dose vial.
less than 60 kg*	0.75 mg/kg
60 kg or more	45 mg
greater than 100 kg with co-existent moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis	90 mg

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Intravenous Induction Adult Dosage Regimen

A single intravenous infusion dose of WEZLANA using the weight-based dosage regimen specified in Table 4.

Table 4. Initial Intravenous Dosage of WEZLANA
Body Weight of Patient at the time of dosing	Dose	Number of 130 mg/26 mL (5 mg/mL) WEZLANA vials
55 kg or less	260 mg	2
more than 55 kg to 85 kg	390 mg	3
more than 85 kg	520 mg	4

Subcutaneous Maintenance Adult Dosage Regimen

The recommended maintenance dosage is a subcutaneous 90 mg dose administered 8 weeks after the initial intravenous dose, then every 8 weeks thereafter.

General Considerations for Administration

WEZLANA is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of a physician. WEZLANA should only be administered to patients who will be closely monitored and have regular follow-up visits with a physician. The appropriate dose should be determined by a healthcare provider using the patient's current weight at the time of dosing. In pediatric patients, it is recommended that WEZLANA be administered by a healthcare provider. If a physician determines that it is appropriate, a patient may self-inject, or a caregiver may inject WEZLANA after proper training in subcutaneous injection technique. Patients should be instructed to follow the directions provided in the Medication Guide.
The needle cap on the prefilled syringe does not contain dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex).
It is recommended that each injection be administered at a different anatomic location (such as upper arms, gluteal regions, thighs, or any quadrant of abdomen) than the previous injection, and not into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, erythematous, or indurated. When using the single-dose vial, a 1 mL syringe with a 27 gauge, ½ inch needle is recommended.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. WEZLANA is a clear to opalescent and colorless to light yellow solution. Do not use WEZLANA if it is discolored or cloudy, or if other particulate matter is present. WEZLANA does not contain preservatives; therefore, discard any unused product remaining in the vial and/or syringe.

Instructions for Administration of WEZLANA Prefilled Syringes Equipped with Needle Safety Guard

Refer to the diagram below for the provided instructions.

To prevent premature activation of the needle safety guard, do not touch the NEEDLE GUARD CLIPS at any time during use.

Hold the BODY and remove the NEEDLE CAP. Do not hold the PLUNGER or PLUNGER HEAD while removing the NEEDLE CAP or the PLUNGER may move. Do not use the prefilled syringe if it is dropped without the NEEDLE CAP in place.
Inject WEZLANA subcutaneously as recommended.
Inject all of the medication by pushing in the PLUNGER until the PLUNGER HEAD is completely between the finger grip. Injection of the entire prefilled syringe contents is necessary to activate the needle guard.
After injection, maintain the pressure on the PLUNGER HEAD and remove the needle from the skin. Slowly take your thumb off the PLUNGER HEAD to allow the empty syringe to move up until the entire needle is covered by the needle guard, as shown by the illustration below:
Used syringes should be placed in a puncture-resistant container.

Preparation and Administration of WEZLANA 130 mg/26 mL (5 mg/mL) Vial for Intravenous Infusion (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)

WEZLANA solution for intravenous infusion must be diluted, prepared and infused by a healthcare professional using aseptic technique.

Calculate the dose and the number of WEZLANA vials needed based on patient weight (Table 4). Each 26 mL vial of WEZLANA contains 130 mg of ustekinumab-auub.
Withdraw, and then discard a volume of the 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP from the 250 mL infusion bag equal to the volume of WEZLANA to be added (discard 26 mL sodium chloride for each vial of WEZLANA needed, for 2 vials- discard 52 mL, for 3 vials- discard 78 mL, 4 vials- discard 104 mL). Alternatively, a 250 mL infusion bag containing 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP may be used.
Withdraw 26 mL of WEZLANA from each vial needed and add it to the 250 mL infusion bag. The final volume in the infusion bag should be 250 mL. Gently mix.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not use if visibly opaque particles, discoloration or foreign particles are observed.
Infuse the diluted solution over a period of at least one hour. Once diluted, the infusion should be completely administered within eight hours of the dilution in the infusion bag.
Use only an infusion set with an in-line, sterile, non-pyrogenic, low protein-binding filter (pore size 0.2 micrometer).
Do not infuse WEZLANA concomitantly in the same intravenous line with other agents.
WEZLANA does not contain preservatives. Each vial is for one-time use in only one patient. Discard any remaining solution. Dispose any unused medicinal product in accordance with local requirements.

Storage

If necessary, the diluted infusion solution may be kept at room temperature up to 25°C (77°F) for up to 7 hours. Storage time at room temperature begins once the diluted solution has been prepared. The infusion should be completed within 8 hours after the dilution in the infusion bag (cumulative time after preparation including the storage and the infusion period). Do not freeze. Discard any unused portion of the infusion solution.