| Psoriasis vulgaris
Stelara vs Vtama
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for psoriasis vulgaris.Deep comparison between: Stelara vs Vtama with Prescriber.AI
AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.Safety signalsVtama has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Stelara based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Vtama but not Stelara, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Stelara
Vtama
At A Glance
SC injection
Every 8-12 weeks
IL-12/23 antagonist
Topical
Daily
AhR agonist
Indications
- Psoriasis vulgaris
- Arthritis, Psoriatic
- Crohn Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Psoriasis vulgaris
- Dermatitis, Atopic
Dosing
Psoriasis vulgaris Adults <=100 kg: 45 mg SC at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks; adults >100 kg: 90 mg SC at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks; pediatric patients >=6 years: weight-based dosing (0.75 mg/kg for <60 kg, 45 mg for 60-100 kg, 90 mg for >100 kg) SC at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks.
Arthritis, Psoriatic Adults: 45 mg SC at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks (90 mg for >100 kg with co-existent moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis); pediatric patients >=6 years: weight-based dosing (0.75 mg/kg for <60 kg, 45 mg for >=60 kg, 90 mg for >100 kg with co-existent plaque psoriasis) SC at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks.
Crohn Disease, Ulcerative Colitis Adults: single IV induction dose (260 mg for <=55 kg, 390 mg for >55-85 kg, 520 mg for >85 kg), followed by 90 mg SC at week 8, then every 8 weeks.
Psoriasis vulgaris, Dermatitis, Atopic Apply a thin layer to affected areas once daily; wash hands after application unless VTAMA cream is for treatment of the hands; not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.
Contraindications
- Clinically significant hypersensitivity to ustekinumab or any excipient of STELARA
—
Adverse Reactions
Most common (>=1%) Nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, fatigue, back pain, dizziness, pharyngolaryngeal pain, pruritus, injection site erythema, myalgia, depression
Serious Infections, malignancies, serious hypersensitivity reactions, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), noninfectious pneumonia
Postmarketing Hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis, angioedema, dyspnea, rash, urticaria), lower respiratory tract infection, PRES, interstitial pneumonia, eosinophilic pneumonia, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, hypersensitivity vasculitis
Most common (>=1%) - Plaque Psoriasis Folliculitis, nasopharyngitis, contact dermatitis, headache, pruritus, influenza
Most common (>=1%) - Atopic Dermatitis Upper respiratory tract infection, folliculitis, lower respiratory tract infection, headache, asthma, vomiting, ear infection, pain in extremity, abdominal pain
Pharmacology
Ustekinumab is a human IgG1k monoclonal antibody that binds the p40 protein subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23, blocking their interaction with the IL-12Rb1 receptor chain and thereby suppressing downstream inflammatory signaling involved in natural killer cell activation and CD4+ T-cell differentiation and activation.
Tapinarof is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist; the specific mechanisms by which VTAMA cream exerts its therapeutic actions in plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are unknown.
Enter your patient's insuranceCheck specific coverage details for your patient.
Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Stelara
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (12/12) · Step Therapy (12/12) · Qty limit (11/12)
Vtama
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (10/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Stelara
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (4/8) · Step Therapy (4/8) · Qty limit (4/8)
Vtama
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (5/8) · Step Therapy (4/8) · Qty limit (4/8)
Humana
Stelara
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (3/3)
Vtama
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (3/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
$5/fillfill
Stelara withMe Savings ProgramCommercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
Cost estimate not availableAssistance Fund: Psoriasis
Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
Final cost depends on formulary coverage
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StelaraView full Stelara profile
Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.