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Pharmacology · Interleukin inhibitors

Secukinumab !

A human antibody against IL-17A for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It can worsen Crohn disease or colitis.

Updated 2026-11-01

The figure shows human IL-17A bound to the variable fragment (Fv) of secukinumab.

Target in 3D: Interleukin-17A (IL-17A). PDB structure 9SFX (RCSB PDB, public domain). View the structure at RCSB PDB

Mechanism of action

Secukinumab is a human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody that binds IL-17A and stops it from reaching the IL-17 receptor. IL-17A, made mainly by Th17 cells, drives keratinocyte proliferation, neutrophil recruitment and new bone formation at the entheses; blocking it clears psoriatic plaques and reduces spinal and joint inflammation.

  1. Antibody binds IL-17A
  2. IL-17A cannot reach its receptor
  3. Fewer neutrophils; keratinocytes calm down
  4. Plaques clear; spine inflammation falls

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption
Subcutaneous injection
Metabolism
Broken down like other antibodies

Indications

Adverse effects

Common

  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Diarrhoea
  • Injection-site reactions

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to secukinumab
  • Active serious infection

Key interactions

Other immunosuppressants
Added infection risk.
Live vaccines
Risk of infection from the vaccine strain; avoided during treatment, and vaccines are updated before starting.

What is monitored

  • Latent tuberculosis test before starting
  • Signs of infection
  • Bowel symptoms: diarrhoea, abdominal pain, blood in the stool

Administration and safety

  • Subcutaneous pen or syringe, rotating sites.
  • Kept in the refrigerator, never frozen; allowed to warm before injection.

Nursing care

  • Before the first dose, confirm the latent tuberculosis test (and hepatitis B screening where ordered) and that vaccines are up to date.
  • Do not give the dose during an active infection; teach to report fever, cough, burning on urination or hot, red skin.
  • Live vaccines are avoided during treatment; any vaccine is discussed with the team first.
  • Ask about Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis before starting.
  • Teach to report persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain or blood in the stool.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Human data are limited; the treating team weighs benefits and risks.

Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

Which cytokine does secukinumab neutralise?

Interleukin-17A.

In which patients is secukinumab used with special caution?

People with Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis: IL-17 blockade can trigger or worsen inflammatory bowel disease.

Which spinal disease is an indication for secukinumab?

Ankylosing spondylitis (and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis).

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Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: Secukinumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 39 (McGraw Hill, 2023); ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.