[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Interleukin inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/interleukin-inhibitors/) › Secukinumab

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Interleukin inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/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

- Class: [Interleukin inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/interleukin-inhibitors/)
- Target: Interleukin-17A (IL-17A)
- ATC code: L04AC10

◆**Interleukin-17A (IL-17A)**Secukinumab

ⓘ 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](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/9SFX) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## 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.

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

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Subcutaneous injection

**Metabolism**
Broken down like other antibodies

## Indications

- Plaque psoriasis [Psoriasis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriasis/)
- Psoriatic arthritis [Psoriatic arthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/)
- Ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis [Ankylosing spondylitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/)
- Enthesitis-related arthritis in children [Juvenile idiopathic arthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis/)
- Hidradenitis suppurativa [Hidradenitis suppurativa →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Upper respiratory infections
- Diarrhoea
- Injection-site reactions

### Serious (rare, important)

- Serious infections; higher risk of tuberculosis
- New or worse inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Severe allergic reactions; eczema-like skin 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.

## Memory aid

SECU-17: SECUkinumab blocks IL-17 — good for Skin and Spine, bad for the gut (IBD).

## 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).

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/secukinumab/)

## Related drugs

- [Ustekinumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ustekinumab/)
- [Adalimumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/adalimumab/)

## Related conditions

- [Psoriasis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriasis/)
- [Psoriatic arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/)
- [Ankylosing spondylitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/)
- [Juvenile idiopathic arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis/)
- [Hidradenitis suppurativa](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa/)

[← Back to the class: Interleukin inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/interleukin-inhibitors/)

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](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a615011.html) (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](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L04AC10) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/secukinumab/
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