Secukinumab (Cosentyx) for Psoriasis: Cost, Dosing & Availability in India
Of the newer biologic drugs used for psoriasis worldwide, secukinumab is one of the few that is genuinely available through regular Indian pharmacy channels rather than only through special import programs. It’s sold under the brand name Cosentyx by Novartis India, with lower-cost versions also on the market. This guide covers what secukinumab actually is, how it’s dosed, what it costs in India, and who dermatologists typically consider it for.
What Is Secukinumab and How Does It Work?
Secukinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets and blocks interleukin-17A (IL-17A), a signaling protein that drives much of the inflammation behind plaque psoriasis. It belongs to a class of drugs called biologics — lab-engineered proteins, as opposed to the small-molecule chemical drugs used in older systemic treatments like methotrexate. Because IL-17A plays a central role in the psoriasis inflammatory cascade, blocking it directly tends to produce faster and deeper skin clearance than older systemic options, which is why secukinumab and its class-mate ixekizumab are often grouped together as “IL-17 inhibitors.”
Is Secukinumab Actually Available in India?
Yes — and this sets it apart from several newer biologics covered elsewhere on this site. Secukinumab is marketed in India by Novartis under the brand Cosentyx, and additional branded versions (such as Scapho, manufactured domestically) are also available through licensed pharmaceutical distributors. This means a dermatologist in Bangalore can prescribe it and a patient can access it through a hospital pharmacy or specialty distributor without needing a Named Patient import license, unlike some of the biologics that have not yet been formally launched in the Indian market.
Secukinumab Dosing for Plaque Psoriasis
The standard dosing schedule established in secukinumab’s pivotal trials (and used on its approved label) is:
- 300 mg (given as two 150 mg injections) at Week 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 300 mg every 4 weeks thereafter as maintenance therapy
- Some patients, particularly those with lower body weight or milder disease, are maintained on a 150 mg dose instead
This is general label information, not a personal prescription — your dermatologist will set your actual dose and schedule based on your weight, disease severity, and response.
How Well Does Secukinumab Actually Work?
In the pivotal ERASURE and FIXTURE trials that led to its approval, roughly 77–82% of patients on the 300 mg dose achieved PASI 75 (a 75% reduction in psoriasis severity) by week 12, with a meaningful proportion reaching PASI 90 (near-complete clearance) as well. Most patients who respond do so within the first 4–8 weeks of starting treatment, faster than older systemic drugs like methotrexate typically act.
Secukinumab Cost in India
Pricing for biologics fluctuates and varies by distributor, but as a general reference point, a 150 mg pack of Cosentyx has been listed in the ₹20,000–₹22,000 range through pharmaceutical wholesalers, while domestically manufactured branded versions have been listed higher in some channels. Since a full loading dose requires 300 mg (two 150 mg units) at five separate points in the first month, and maintenance dosing continues every four weeks indefinitely, the realistic first-year cost typically runs into several lakhs of rupees — you can see a fuller breakdown of how this compares to other treatment types in our psoriasis treatment cost guide. Always get a written, itemized quote from your treating hospital or clinic rather than relying on any online price listing, since biologic pricing changes and can vary by batch, distributor, and city.
Who Is Secukinumab Typically Prescribed For?
Dermatologists generally consider secukinumab for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis — meaning a significant body surface area is affected, or the disease is affecting quality of life substantially — who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. It’s also approved for psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, so it may be a reasonable option for patients dealing with both joint and skin symptoms. As with any systemic immune-modulating drug, candidates are typically screened for active infections (including tuberculosis) before starting.
Common Side Effects
The most frequently reported side effects in trials were upper respiratory infections, injection site reactions, and diarrhea. Because IL-17 also plays a role in gut immune defense, secukinumab carries a labeled caution around inflammatory bowel disease, and patients with a personal or strong family history of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are usually evaluated carefully before starting.
Secukinumab vs Ayurvedic Treatment: How to Think About the Choice
Secukinumab and Ayurvedic protocols work on fundamentally different timelines and mechanisms — one directly blocks a specific inflammatory signal for fast, measurable skin clearance; the other works more gradually toward addressing the broader pattern of imbalance Ayurveda associates with chronic skin disease. Neither is universally “better” — the right choice depends on disease severity, how quickly you need results, cost tolerance, and personal preference around long-term immune-modulating therapy. We’ve laid out a detailed, non-biased comparison in our Ayurveda vs biologics guide if you’re weighing this decision.
This article is for general education and does not replace a consultation with a qualified dermatologist. Dosing, candidacy, and monitoring decisions should always be made with your treating doctor.
