Skip to main content
Drug Info

Stelara generic availability, cost, and more

Biologic medications like Stelara have biosimilars instead of generics, and a few have already been approved by the FDA
Karen Berger medical writer and reviewer headshot
By | Updated on Feb. 19, 2026
A syringe: Stelara generic

Key takeaways

  • Stelara (ustekinumab) is used for certain autoimmune inflammatory diseases, such as plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

  • There is no generic for Stelara because Stelara is a biologic drug. Instead, there are Stelara biosimilars. These biosimilars contain ustekinumab and work the same way to treat the same conditions.

  • Many insurance plans cover Stelara or a biosimilar. You can check with your specific insurance plan and work with your healthcare provider to find out whether Stelara or a biosimilar is covered.

In this article:

Stelara, which is the ustekinumab brand name, is an injectable prescription drug made by the drug company Janssen Biotech. Stelara treats various autoimmune inflammatory conditions, including plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis (UC). The Stelara generic name is ustekinumab, but because Stelara is a biologic drug, a less expensive version would be called a biosimilar of Stelara (or an ustekinumab biosimilar) rather than a Stelara generic. There are several less expensive FDA-approved biosimilars that contain the same active ingredient (ustekinumab) and are sold under their own names. 

Stelara generic (biosimilar) availability
Generic name Ustekinumab
FDA approval date of first generic (biosimilar) version 2023 (Wezlana)
Is there a generic or biosimilar available for sale in the U.S.?  Yes

What are the differences between brand-name and generic Stelara?

Stelara (ustekinumab) is classified as a monoclonal antibody and an interleukin-12 and interleukin-23 (IL-12/IL-23) antagonist. These interleukins are known as cytokines (immune system messengers), and ustekinumab blocks them, helping reduce inflammation in the body. 

Generic drugs are less expensive versions of FDA-approved prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. However, biologic drugs like Stelara are different because they come from natural sources, like humans or animals, and may be produced using biotechnology. Biologics are complex and difficult to duplicate exactly. But when they are copied, they’re considered biosimilar drugs: highly similar versions of FDA-approved biologic drugs. So, rather than Stelara generics, these versions are known as Stelara biosimilars. 

Because biologics are complex, a biosimilar can be highly similar but not exactly the same as the reference (original or brand-name) product. Biosimilars contain the same active ingredient, work the same way, and have the same mode of administration (such as injection) and dosing as the original product. Stelara and its biosimilars treat the same conditions. 

Some biosimilars have an interchangeability designation. This means that a Stelara prescription can be filled, in accordance with state law, with an interchangeable biosimilar. Biosimilars that are not interchangeable must be prescribed by exact name, because they cannot be directly substituted for Stelara.

Stelara (ustekinumab) at a glance
Uses
  • Plaque psoriasis in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older
  • Psoriatic arthritis in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older
  • Crohn’s disease in adults 
  • Ulcerative colitis in adults
Standard dosage
  • The dosage varies by age, weight, and condition being treated. Some conditions may start with an intravenous (IV) dose followed by subcutaneous injections, while others use subcutaneous injections only.
Common side effects
  • Stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, upper respiratory infection, flu, sinus infection, bronchitis
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Tiredness
  • Itching 
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Redness at the injection site
  • Vaginal yeast infection
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Joint pain
Contraindications
  • Do not use if you are allergic to Stelara, ustekinumab, or any biosimilar versions of Stelara or if you are allergic to any ingredient in the medication.
  • Do not start taking Stelara while you have an active infection.
Other considerations
  • Avoid live vaccines while using this medicine, including the BCG vaccine.
  • Tell your healthcare provider about all medical conditions, including pregnancy or breastfeeding, as well as all the medicines you take, so they can screen for drug interactions. 
  • Serious side effects include serious infections, cancers (including certain types of skin cancer), and other serious conditions, including posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. 

How much is generic Stelara?

The average price of Stelara before insurance or discounts is about $17,085. However, ustekinumab is an unbranded biologic that is more affordable, averaging $5,191 without insurance or discounts. A SingleCare coupon could drop the price of unbranded ustekinumab to $3,566.

There are other Stelara biosimilars you can consider as well. For example, the biosimilar Wezlana costs about $7,046, but if you use a SingleCare discount at a participating pharmacy, you can pay as low as $5,448 for your prescription. Prices may vary depending on your dosage, quantity prescribed, and the pharmacy where you fill your prescription. Stelara is usually filled at a specialty pharmacy, because biologic drugs are considered specialty drugs and require special handling.

Brand vs. biosimilar Stelara prices
Brand-name Stelara Unbranded ustekinumab Stelara biosimilar (Wezlana)
Average cost without insurance $17,085 for one, 0.5 ml of 45 mg/0.5 ml syringe  $5,191 for one, 0.5 ml of 45 mg/0.5 ml syringe  $7,046 per one, 1 ml of 90 mg/ml syringe of Wezlana
SingleCare’s lowest price $13,573 for one, 0.5 ml of 45 mg/0.5 ml syringe at Kroger $3,566 for one, 0.5 ml of 45 mg/0.5 ml syringe at Kroger $5,448 per one, 1 ml of 90 mg/ml syringe of Wezlana at Kroger or Harris Teeter
Free coupons Stelara coupons Ustekinumab coupons Wezlana coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Feb. 19, 2026.  

Is Stelara covered by insurance?

To find out whether your specific health insurance plan covers Stelara or a biosimilar, you can check with your plan directly. The Stelara manufacturer’s website offers assistance from insurance specialists, called Janssen CarePath Care Coordinators, who can help you and your healthcare provider determine whether your plan covers Stelara. They can also help with other aspects of coverage, such as prior authorization, and with finding ways to save on Stelara, depending on your type of coverage. 

If your health insurance company does not cover brand-name Stelara, they may cover a biosimilar version such as Wezlana. Your healthcare provider can help you navigate this process. 

If you are paying for your medicine without insurance, or your plan does not cover Stelara, you can learn more about paying for Stelara without insurance here. 

How do you get Stelara covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans provide coverage for Stelara or one of its biosimilars. However, a prior authorization is often required. This means that your healthcare professional will need to submit information to your insurance company about why you need a specific medication.

Your healthcare provider can help determine whether your insurance plan covers Stelara, or a biosimilar, and follow the required steps to help you get started on your treatment. Because Stelara is a specialty drug, it will often need to be filled at a specialty pharmacy. 

If you would like to check your insurance coverage ahead of time, you can contact your insurance plan directly by calling the member services number on your card. You can also log in to your account on your plan’s secure website and look up the most recent formulary (list of covered drugs and pricing tiers).

Generic alternatives to Stelara

If your insurance plan does not pay for ustekinumab or Stelara, there are various biosimilars that your insurance may cover, including:

If you are interested in other alternatives to Stelara that do not contain the same active ingredient (ustekinumab), there are other options to consider. You can discuss Stelara alternatives and the best way to switch treatments with your healthcare provider. Only your healthcare provider is qualified to give you medical advice on which medication is best for you. 

Expert takeaway 

“Biosimilars are highly similar versions of biologic drugs,” says Karen Berger, Pharm.D., member of the SingleCare Medical Board. “Biologic drugs like Stelara are very expensive, but you may be able to save a lot of money by filling your prescription with a biosimilar. Your healthcare provider can help you determine which treatment is both effective and affordable for you.”

Browse drugs A-Z:

View all
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Get a free coupon for Ustekinumab