Stelara (ustekinumab) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat moderate to severe psoriasis in adults aged 18 years or older. This monoclonal antibody targets the body's immune system by inhibiting the action of interferon-12 and interferon-23. Stelara provides relief from the symptoms of psoriasis such as plaque thickness, scaling, and redness. The drug is administered by injection, with one starter dose followed by another in 4 weeks, and a maintenance dose every 12 weeks thereafter. Because Stelara inhibits the immune system, it poses a risk for infection and cancer, according to an FDA statement.
Stelara