How long does it take for Tremfya to work?

It takes about 12 to 16 weeks for Tremfya to start working in most people, depending on the condition being treated.

At least 7 out of 10 people with psoriasis reported their skin was at least 90% cleared after week 16, with more than 80% of people describing their skin as completely cleared or almost completely cleared. After 3 years of Tremfya treatment, 80% of people reported a 90% improvement in their skin. Results may vary between people with some people reporting exceptionally good results whereas a small percentage of people may only notice minimal improvement.

For people with psoriatic arthritis:

• Just over half of trial participants (52%) reported a 20% improvement in tender and swollen joint counts (called an ACR20) by week 16 which persisted till week 24
• Almost one-quarter (23%) of participants reported a 50% improvement in tender and swollen joint counts (called an ACR50) by week 16 which had increased to 30% by week 24
• 8% of participants achieved an ACR70 (70% improvement) by week 16 and 12% achieved an ACR70 by week 24.

For ulcerative colitis, clinical trials reported that 23% of people with the condition were in clinical remission at 12 weeks, and 50% (Tremfya 200 mg SC) and 45% (Tremfya 100 mg SC) were in clinical remission at one year. Endoscopic remission as achieved by 34% (Tremfya 200 mg SC) and 35% (Tremfya 100 mg SC) at one year.

For Crohn's disease (CD), the GRAVITI clinical trial reported 56% in clinical remission and 34% with endoscopic response after 12 weeks of Tremfya 400 mg SC at weeks 0, 4, and 8 (p<0.001). This compared to 22% in clinical remission and 15% endoscopic response in those assigned a placebo.

• On follow-up after 48 weeks of Tremfya 100 mg every 8 weeks starting at week 16, 59% were in remission and 39% had an endoscopic response, vs 17% and 5% with placebo respectively.
• Those assigned Tremfya 200 mg SC every 4 weeks starting from week 12 had a 65% clinical remission and a 48% endoscopic response (vs 17% and 5% respectively with placebo).

The GALAXI 2 and GALAXI 3 trials of Tremfya in CD reported similar favorable responses to Tremfya after 12 weeks of treatment.

Tremfya is an interleukin inhibitor that may be used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and moderately to severely active Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis in adults. People receiving Tremfya can be taught how to self-administer and the main side effects are injection site reactions and an increased risk of infection.

Related questions

• What does psoriasis look like?
• How do you get psoriasis and is it contagious?
• How does Tremfya work?