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Speak With a Copay Assistance Specialist
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances.
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How Stelara Copay Assistance Works
1 – Check Your Coverage/Benefits Verification
Our team of expert billers finds the best avenues of coverage that minimize out-of-pocket costs.
2 – Transfer Prescription to AmeriPharma
We process your prescription by working with your previous pharmacy or prescriber, making the transition quick and easy.
3 – Prior Authorization
Our team of specialists obtains approval from your insurance companies within 24 to 72 hours.
4 – Copay Assistance & Financial Aid
We secure financial aid and decrease copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and high deductibles. To date, AmeriPharma Specialty Care has secured $55 million in financial assistance for our patients.
5 – Nursing Care Coordination
AmeriPharma puts your schedule and home environment first when scheduling and coordinating one of our specialized nurses for your in-home infusions.
6 – Delivery Coordination
Medications are always delivered in strict compliance with the specific requirements for immune globulin shipping. Next-day and overnight cold-chain deliveries are coordinated around your schedule.
Speak With a Specialist
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
What Is Stelara?
Stelara (ustekinumab) is a prescription-only drug that falls under the following drug classes: monoclonal antibodies, antipsoriatics, and interleukin inhibitors. It is given by intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) injection. Stelara can be used alone or with other medications, depending on the patient’s condition and disease.
Patients may self-administer Stelara after proper training from a healthcare professional and with physician approval.
What Is Stelara Used To Treat?
Stelara is a prescription-based medication used to treat the following:
- A specific type of arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is the swelling and stiffness of the affected joints and is painful.
- Plaque psoriasis, characterized by red, flaky, and raised skin, which is painful, itchy, and cracky. It develops anywhere on the skin surface, like the elbows, arms, knees, trunk, or scalp.
- Certain bowel disorders, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is the inflammation of the large intestine, commonly the rectum, and Crohn’s disease is the swelling and inflammation of the digestive tract.
Schedule a Consultation
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
How Does Stelara Work?
Ustekinumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to and interferes with the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23 (IL-23). Ustekinumab also interferes with the expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), and interleukin-8 (IL-8).
In most of the inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, the levels of inflammatory cytokine and other interleukins are elevated. Stelara works by inhibiting cytokines and blocking the action of IL-23 and IL-12. This reduces inflammation and treats the disease symptoms.
How Is Stelara Used?
- Stelara can be used intravenously or subcutaneously, depending on the doctor’s recommendation and the patient’s condition.
- It can be used alone or in combination with another medicine, like methotrexate (in diseases like psoriatic arthritis).
- Stelara should not be used in children under 6 years of age.
- Stelara can be taken with or without food.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma Specialty Care alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
Speak With a Specialist
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
Stelara Side Effects
Common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Chest discomfort
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Itching
Severe side effects include:
- Swelling, pain, redness, and warmth anywhere on the body
- Worsening cough
- Seizures
- Sudden chest pain
- Severe headache
- Change in mental status
- Sudden and severe stomach pain
- Vision problems
- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
Schedule a Consultation
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
Dosing Information
The dose of Stelara varies depending on the patient’s weight and the disease for which they are taking the drug.
The adult dose of Stelara for the following diseases are given below:
Dose for Psoriasis:
- The recommended subcutaneous dose for patients weighing 100 kg or less is initially 45 mg, followed by 45 mg 4 weeks later, and then 45 mg every 12 weeks.
- For patients weighing above 100 kg, the subcutaneous dose is initially 90 mg, followed by 90 mg 4 weeks later, and then 90 mg every 12 weeks.
Dose for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis:
- The recommended intravenous infusion adult dose of Stelara for patients weighing 55 kg or less is 260 mg.
- For patients weighing 55 – 85 kg, the IV infusion dose of Stelara is 390 mg.
- For patients weighing above 85 kg, the IV infusion dose is 520 mg.
After the induction dose above, a maintenance dose of 90 mg should be given every 8 weeks.
Dose for Psoriatic Arthritis:
- The recommended subcutaneous dose for patients weighing 100 kg or less is initially 45 mg, followed by 45 mg 4 weeks later, and then 45 mg every 12 weeks.
- For patients weighing above 100 kg and with moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis, the subcutaneous dose is initially 90 mg, followed by 90 mg 4 weeks later, and then 90 mg every 12 weeks.