Tremfya (guselkumab) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat the following conditions in adults:

Tremfya is given as a subcutaneous injection. The active ingredient in the drug is guselkumab, which belongs to a class of medications known as interleukin-23 (IL-23) blockers. Tremfya is a biologic drug. It’s not available as a biosimilar.

Keep reading for information on the dosage of Tremfya, as well as details on its forms, its strength, and how to take the drug.

Note: For a comprehensive look at Tremfya, see this article.

* “Active” psoriatic arthritis means that the condition is currently causing symptoms.

Tremfya is used to treat certain types of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Below is information on typical dosages for these conditions.

Tremfya forms

Tremfya comes in two forms:

  • a single-dose prefilled syringe
  • a single-dose prefilled One-Press injector

Both the syringe and the One-Press injector are used to provide a subcutaneous injection. This is an injection under the skin. The One-Press injector contains a hidden needle, so it may be a good option if you aren’t comfortable with needles. The injector may also be easier to use than a syringe. Your doctor can discuss with you the differences between the forms and which one may be right for you.

Tremfya strengths

Tremfya syringes and One-Press injectors are available in one strength: 100 milligrams/milliliter (mg/mL).

Typical dosages

The following information describes the standard Tremfya dosage.

Dosage for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

The dosage of Tremfya for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is the same.

You’ll first receive two starter doses. The first dose will be a 100-mg/mL injection. After 4 weeks, you’ll receive another 100-mg/mL injection.

The starter doses are similar to loading doses. They’re meant to quickly raise the level of Tremfya in your body so that the drug can start working.

After the first two doses, your dosing schedule will be one injection of Tremfya every 8 weeks. These are known as maintenance doses.

Note: For psoriatic arthritis, you may take Tremfya with other medications called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Long-term use

Tremfya is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Tremfya is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

For your first dose, your doctor will show you or your caregiver how to give a Tremfya injection. After that, you or your caregiver will be able to inject the medication. When you do, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. You can also find step-by-step instructions on how to administer Tremfya using a syringe or a One-Press injector on the manufacturer’s website.

The manufacturer recommends injecting Tremfya into the skin on the front of your thigh. But you can also inject into your lower belly (except within 2 inches of your belly button). Or, the drug can be injected into the back of your upper arm, but only if a caregiver is giving the injection.

Before injecting

Before giving yourself a dose of Tremfya:

  • Take the medication out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature (68°F to 77°F/20°C to 25°C) for at least 30 minutes.
  • Always check the solution. It should be clear or slightly yellow, and it may have small particles in it. If it’s cloudy or discolored or contains large particles, discard the dose and use a new one.
  • Only use an injection device one time. Both the prefilled syringe and the One-Press injector are single-use only. This means that they hold one dose and should be discarded after one use. Don’t reuse a syringe or an injector.

If you forget to take a dose of Tremfya, take it as soon as you remember. Take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Don’t reset your dosing schedule to make up for the missed dose. If you aren’t sure what to do or have a question, call your doctor.

To help make sure you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can also work.

If you take more Tremfya than your doctor prescribed, call them right away. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool.

But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

As with any drug, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Tremfya without your doctor’s approval. If you have questions about the dosage of Tremfya that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

In addition to dosage, you may want to explore other information about Tremfya. If so, these articles might be helpful to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.