Wezlana (Ustekinumab)

Prescription medicineOnly Available By Prescription

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We guarantee the lowest price on all of our prescription products. If you find your medications cheaper at any other recognized licensed mail order pharmacy, we will not only match their price, we will beat it by 25% of the difference. It is our 125% price match guarantee!

Example: If you find a product on Canada Drugs Direct for $50.00 and find the same product for $40.00 at another mail order pharmacy, we will provide you with a $12.50 discount, bringing your total to $37.50.

To get the discount please make sure to mention the price match to the customer service team when they call to collect payment for your order. Or call toll free at 1-888-904-8467 to place the order through the phone.

Terms & Conditions of Program

  • Guaranteed lowest price is only valid at the time of sale.
  • We will only match the current advertised price.
  • Products must be identical and in stock at the time of placing an order with a licensed mail order pharmacy. They must be an online Canadian pharmacy with an address in Canada.
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  • Price match can only be issued over the phone with our customer service team. Please note at this time we cannot offer price matching for the products Ozempic or Saxenda.
What is a Generic Drug?

A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.

The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.

Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.

Description

Wezlana (ustekinumab-auub) is a biosimilar to Stelara (ustekinumab), a fully human IgG1? monoclonal antibody that targets the p40 subunit shared by interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23 (IL-23). It is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, moderate to severe Crohn’s disease, and moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults. By inhibiting IL-12 and IL-23 signaling, Wezlana disrupts inflammatory pathways implicated in autoimmune disease pathogenesis, leading to reduced inflammation and improved clinical outcomes in targeted conditions.

F act Table

Formula

C6452H9964N1724O2004S46

License

US FDA (approved 2023)

Bioavailability

~57% (subcutaneous)

Legal status

Prescription only (Rx-only)

Chemical Name

Ustekinumab-aekn

Elimination half-life

15–45 days

Dosage (Strength)

45 mg/0.5 mL, 90 mg/mL prefilled syringe; also IV formulations

Pregnancy

Consult a doctor (limited human data)

Brands

Wezlana (biosimilar), Stelara (reference)

Protein binding

Not applicable (monoclonal antibody)

PubChem CID

115088638

MedlinePlus

a609019

ChEBI

133754

ATC code

L04AC05

DrugBank

DB06174

KEGG

D08951

Routes of administration

Subcutaneous, Intravenous

Directions

Wezlana is administered via subcutaneous or intravenous injection depending on the condition and treatment phase.

  • For plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the standard subcutaneous dose is 45 mg or 90 mg based on body weight at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks thereafter.
  • For Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, initial treatment begins with a single intravenous induction dose based on body weight (260 mg for <55 kg, 390 mg for 55–85 kg, 520 mg for >85 kg), followed by 90 mg subcutaneously starting 8 weeks later and then every 8 weeks thereafter.

Injection sites should be rotated, and the solution should be brought to room temperature before administration. Healthcare provider training is recommended for proper administration and monitoring during induction.

Ingredients

Each Wezlana prefilled syringe or vial contains ustekinumab-auub in sterile solution. Available strengths include 45 mg/0.5 mL and 90 mg/mL for subcutaneous use, and 130 mg/26 mL vials for intravenous infusion (to be diluted before use). Inactive ingredients include L-histidine, L-histidine monohydrochloride, polysorbate 80, sucrose, and water for injection.

Contraindications

Wezlana is contraindicated in patients with clinically significant hypersensitivity to ustekinumab or any of the formulation components. Anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with ustekinumab products.

Cautions

Wezlana may increase the risk of infections, including serious bacterial, fungal, and mycobacterial infections. Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis (TB) before initiation, and those with latent TB should receive appropriate prophylactic therapy. Caution is advised in patients with a history of recurrent infections or underlying conditions that predispose them to infections.

Malignancies have been reported in clinical trials. Nonmelanoma skin cancer has occurred, particularly in patients with a history of PUVA therapy. Use caution in individuals with prior malignancy.

Live vaccines should not be administered during treatment. Immunizations should be updated before starting therapy. Hypersensitivity reactions may occur and require immediate discontinuation.

Side Effects

Common and serious side effects associated with Wezlana include:

  • Nasopharyngitis
  • Headache
  • Upper respiratory tract infections
  • Fatigue
  • Injection site reactions
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Back pain
  • Serious infections (e.g., tuberculosis, pneumonia)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., rash, urticaria, anaphylaxis)
  • Malignancies (e.g., nonmelanoma skin cancer)

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information provided above is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical or veterinary advice. Always consult your physician, pharmacist, or veterinarian regarding the safety, suitability, and proper use of any medication for yourself or your pet.

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