{"id":629725,"date":"2024-09-10T15:50:46","date_gmt":"2024-09-10T19:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629725"},"modified":"2026-09-22T12:53:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T16:53:46","slug":"stelara-generic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/stelara-generic\/","title":{"rendered":"Stelara generic availability, cost, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stelara<\/a>, 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<\/a>, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn\u2019s disease<\/a>, and ulcerative colitis<\/a> (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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Stelara generic (biosimilar) availability<\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Generic name<\/b><\/td>\nUstekinumab<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FDA approval date of first generic (biosimilar) version<\/b><\/td>\n2023 (Wezlana)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Is there a generic or biosimilar available for sale in the U.S.?\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are the differences between brand-name and generic Stelara?<\/h2>\n

Stelara (ustekinumab) is classified as a monoclonal antibody<\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Generic drugs are less expensive versions of FDA-approved prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. However, biologic drugs<\/a> 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\u2019re considered biosimilar<\/a> drugs: highly similar versions of FDA-approved biologic drugs. So, rather than Stelara generics, these versions are known as Stelara biosimilars.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Stelara (ustekinumab) at a glance<\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Uses<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Plaque psoriasis in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older<\/li>\n
  • Psoriatic arthritis in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older<\/li>\n
  • Crohn\u2019s disease in adults\u00a0<\/li>\n
  • Ulcerative colitis in adults<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard dosage<\/b><\/td>\n\n
Common side effects<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, upper respiratory infection, flu, sinus infection, bronchitis<\/li>\n
  • Fever<\/li>\n
  • Headache<\/li>\n
  • Tiredness<\/li>\n
  • Itching\u00a0<\/li>\n
  • Nausea\u00a0<\/li>\n
  • Vomiting<\/li>\n
  • Diarrhea<\/li>\n
  • Stomach pain<\/li>\n
  • Redness at the injection site<\/li>\n
  • Vaginal yeast infection<\/li>\n
  • Urinary tract infection<\/li>\n
  • Joint pain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contraindications<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 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.<\/li>\n
  • Do not start taking Stelara while you have an active infection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Other considerations<\/b><\/td>\n\n