Ustekinumab (Stelara)

Biologicprescriptionsubcutaneous · inferred

Fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting the p40 subunit shared by interleukins IL-12 and IL-23. Weight-based SC dosing for psoriasis (45 mg if <=100 kg, 90 mg if >100 kg) at weeks 0 and 4 then every 12 weeks; weight-based IV induction then SC maintenance for Crohn's and UC. Biphasic PK with terminal half-life ~3 weeks. SC bioavailability ~57%. Generally well tolerated; modest serious-infection signal.

Projected serum levels — 90 mg, custom (shown daily)

Ustekinumab (Stelara)
Ustekinumab (Stelara) modeled serum levels, 90 mg custom (shown daily) over 121 days Population-based pharmacokinetic estimate. Steady state reached after approximately 65 days. 0 500 1k 1.5k 2k Day 0 Day 30 Day 61 Day 91 Day 121 Time on a regular schedule ≈ steady state · day 65
Ustekinumab (Stelara) modeled serum levels with a loading dose of 270 mg, then 90 mg custom (shown daily) The first dose is larger so levels approach steady state faster. 0 500 1k 1.5k 2k Day 0 Day 30 Day 61 Day 91 Day 121 Time on a regular schedule

Maintenance schedule: 90 mg custom (shown daily) (subcutaneous).

Loading schedule: 270 mg on day 1, then 90 mg custom (shown daily) — reaching therapeutic levels sooner.

Modeled steady state after ~65 days: peak ≈ 1.6k mg, trough ≈ 1.6k mg body load. Population-based estimate over 121 days for a 90 mg dose at a 70 kg reference body mass — the interactive app scales curves to your doses, timing, and body mass.

Key facts

Category
Biologic
Route modeled
Subcutaneous
Model confidence
inferred
Half-life
21 days
Common dose
90 mg
Suggested maximum
90 mg/day
Reference dose range
45–90 mg (single dose)
Suggested cadence
custom (shown daily)
Validated against
45 mg sc — Cmax 8.3 mg/L at 168 h

Research behind this entry

  1. Population pharmacokinetics of ustekinumab in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis Zhu Y et al. · Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 2009 DOI

    Population PK analysis describing biphasic disposition, ~3-week terminal half-life, weight-dependent clearance, and SC bioavailability ~57%.

  2. Efficacy and safety of ustekinumab, a human interleukin-12/23 monoclonal antibody, in patients with psoriasis (PHOENIX 2) Papp KA et al. · Lancet, 2008 DOI

    Pivotal PHOENIX 2 trial establishing ustekinumab 45 mg and 90 mg q12w efficacy for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

2 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.