Key takeaways:
Stelara (ustekinumab) is an injectable medication that treats psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in adults and children ages 6 and older. It also treats inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in adults. All Stelara dosages are based on your body weight.
For psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, you’ll receive 2 starting doses of Stelara injected under the skin 4 weeks apart. Then you’ll inject Stelara once every 12 weeks. For adults, the Stelara dosage is either 45 mg or 90 mg, and the dose is the same for both the loading and maintenance doses.
The Stelara dosage for IBD in adults starts with a one-time infusion into a vein, and the dose ranges from 260 mg to 520 mg. After that, you’ll inject 90 mg of Stelara under the skin every 8 weeks.
There are ways to save on Stelara. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card can help you get Stelara for as little as $5 per dose. A patient assistance program is also available.
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Stelara (ustekinumab) blocks two specific interleukins (proteins) in your body from causing inflammation. It’s prescribed to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in adults and children ages 6 and older. It also treats inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in adults. These conditions all cause excess inflammation in the body, which Stelara helps reduce.
Knowing how much Stelara you need and how often you’ll inject it can help you know what to expect from your treatment. Below, we’ll review the recommended Stelara dosages.
Keep in mind that your prescriber may instruct you to take Stelara differently than what’s listed below. It’s best to follow their instructions and reach out to them with any questions about your Stelara dosage.
What are the typical Stelara dosages for adults?
The recommended Stelara dosage for adults is based on your body weight and the condition you’re using it for. Your first dose or two of Stelara are known as loading doses. They help raise Stelara levels in your body faster so it can start working. After your loading dose(s), you’ll switch to what’s called a maintenance dose. This will be your regular Stelara dosage moving forward.
Stelara is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously) in most cases. For IBD, your loading dose will be given as an infusion into a vein (IV). After that, you’ll be able to inject Stelara under the skin at home for your maintenance doses.
Psoriasis
For psoriasis, you’ll start with two loading doses of Stelara, injected under the skin 4 weeks (1 month) apart. After that, you’ll give yourself a dose of Stelara every 12 weeks (3 months).
The recommended Stelara dosage is 45 mg for adults with a body weight of 100 kg (220 lbs) or less and 90 mg for adults with a body weight of more than 100 kg. You’ll receive the same dose for both loading and maintenance doses.
Psoriatic arthritis
For psoriatic arthritis, the recommended Stelara dosage is two 45 mg doses injected under the skin 4 weeks apart, then 45 mg once every 12 weeks thereafter.
But a higher dose of Stelara is recommended for adults with a body weight of more than 100 kg who have both psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis. In this case, the recommended Stelara dosage is two 90 mg doses injected under the skin 4 weeks apart, then 90 mg once every 12 weeks thereafter.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Stelara is FDA approved to treat the two types of IBD: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The recommended Stelara dosage for IBD starts with a one-time loading dose that’s given by IV infusion. The recommended loading dose is:
260 mg for people with a body weight of 55 kg (121 lbs) or less
390 mg for a body weight of more than 55 kg to 85 kg (187 lbs)
520 mg for a body weight of more than 85 kg
Skyrizi (risankizumab) vs. Stelara (ustekinumab): Here’s how these two psoriasis treatments compare.
Stelara side effects: Review these possible Stelara side effects and what to do if they occur.
How to inject Stelara: Learn how to inject Stelara along with answers to other common Stelara FAQs.
You’ll need to go to an infusion clinic or your prescriber’s office to receive your Stelara infusion. The infusion itself takes about an hour, but you’ll likely need to plan for the appointment to take a bit longer from start to finish.
After your IV loading dose, the recommended maintenance dosage of Stelara for IBD is 90 mg injected under the skin every 8 weeks (2 months), regardless of body weight.
What are the typical Stelara dosages for children?
Stelara is also approved to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in children ages 6 and older. Stelara dosages for children are also based on body weight. Your child’s prescriber will calculate their dose and let you know how to measure and inject it.
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Children with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis will start with two loading doses of Stelara, injected under the skin 4 weeks apart. After that, the maintenance dose is injected once every 12 weeks. The Stelara dosage is the same for both loading and maintenance doses in children.
The recommended Stelara dosage for children is:
0.75 mg per kg of body weight for children with a body weight of less than 60 kg (132 lbs).
45 mg for children with a body weight of 60 kg to 100 kg (220 lbs).
90 mg for children with a body weight of more than 100 kg.
What dosage forms does Stelara come in?
Stelara comes in three different dosage forms, as shown in the table below.
Dosage form | Available doses |
|---|---|
Prefilled syringe | 45 mg |
Single-dose vial | 45 mg |
Vial for IV infusion (not for at-home use) | 130 mg |
Each form of Stelara comes as a single dose, so you’ll dispose of it in a sharps container after you inject it. Your prescriber will make sure you know how to inject Stelara before they let you do it yourself.
You can inject Stelara into your stomach, buttocks, or upper thighs. If someone else is injecting Stelara for you, they can also inject it into your outer upper arm. But this location is too awkward to safely inject on your own.
All forms of Stelara should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F. But the prefilled syringes can be kept at room temperature for up to 30 days if needed. Once a syringe is stored at room temperature, it shouldn’t go back in the fridge. You’ll need to discard it if you haven’t used it within 30 days.
What happens if you miss a dose of Stelara?
One advantage of Stelara is that after you complete your loading doses, you’ll only inject it 4 to 6 times a year. But having so much time between injections can make it easy to forget your dose.
If you’ve missed your Stelara dose, inject it as soon as you remember if it’s still the day your injection is due. Otherwise, it’s best to reach out to your prescriber so they can help you get back on schedule.
It’s best to avoid missing doses in order for Stelara to work at its best. You may want to use a medication reminder app or calendar alarm to help prevent missed doses.
What should you do if you take too much Stelara?
Since Stelara only comes in single doses, it’s not likely you’ll inject more than you should. But if you inject an extra dose by mistake or measure it incorrectly, it’s not likely to be a problem.
In studies, some participants were given a Stelara dose much higher than any of the currently recommended doses, but it didn’t lead to any serious issues. You may have more side effects than usual, such as fatigue or dizziness. But these should go away on their own with time.
If you’ve given more Stelara than prescribed to yourself or your child, it’s still best to let your healthcare team know out of caution. You can also contact Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. If any symptoms appear that feel severe or life-threatening, seek emergency care.
Good to know: If you aren’t injecting a full vial of Stelara and you’re not sure if you’ve injected the right dose, there’s an easy way to find out. Just use a new syringe to draw up the remaining liquid. Subtract this from the total volume of the vial, and you’ll know how much you’ve injected.
How to save on Stelara
There are ways to save on Stelara, which is available as a reference (brand-name) medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between patient assistance programs and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $5 per dose for Stelara using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Stelara’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.
Save with unbranded Stelara. Ustekinumab, the unbranded version of Stelara, is made by the same manufacturer and contains the same exact formula as Stelara. But it doesn’t have the name-brand label on it. It’s typically a more affordable option.
You may also be able to save money with Stelara biosimilars. Biosimilars are products with similar safety and efficacy as their reference biologic (similar to a generic medication). And they’re often available at a lower cost. If you have commercial insurance, your plan may prefer one of these biosimilars to the original version of Stelara. But you’ll need a new prescription in some cases. So it’s helpful to check your formulary in advance and let your prescriber know which version your plan prefers.
Stelara has several biosimilars, including:
Wezlana (ustekinumab-auub), $0-per-dose copay card available
Selarsdi (ustekinumab-aekn), $0-per-dose copay card available
Pyzchiva (ustekinumab-ttwe), $0-per-dose copay card available
Otulfi (ustekinumab-aauz), $0-per-dose copay card and patient assistance program available
Imuldosa (ustekinumab-srlf), $0-per-dose copay card and patient assistance program available
Yesintek (ustekinumab-kfce), $0-per-dose copay card available
Steqeyma (ustekinumab-stba), $0-per-dose copay card available
Starjemza (ustekinumab-hmny), which was approved in May 2025 but isn’t on the market as of September 2025
Frequently asked questions
Yes, your recommended Stelara dosage depends on your body weight as well as the condition you’re using it for. Adults who weigh more than 100 kg (220 lbs) typically need a higher dose of Stelara.
Dizziness is a possible Stelara side effect, but it isn’t common. In clinical studies, people receiving Stelara 45 mg reported dizziness as frequently as those receiving placebo (an injection with no medication in it). But there was a slightly higher risk of dizziness for people receiving the Stelara 90 mg dose.
Stelara starts working as soon as you administer your first dose. But it can take longer for it to reach its full effects. Over half of people new to biologic treatment had noticeable improvement of their IBD symptoms after just one dose of Stelara. For psoriasis, many people saw improved skin appearance after 12 weeks of treatment. Keep in mind that everyone responds to Stelara differently. Talk to your healthcare team if you have questions or concerns about how long it’s taking for Stelara to work for your symptoms.
Yes, your recommended Stelara dosage depends on your body weight as well as the condition you’re using it for. Adults who weigh more than 100 kg (220 lbs) typically need a higher dose of Stelara.
Dizziness is a possible Stelara side effect, but it isn’t common. In clinical studies, people receiving Stelara 45 mg reported dizziness as frequently as those receiving placebo (an injection with no medication in it). But there was a slightly higher risk of dizziness for people receiving the Stelara 90 mg dose.
Stelara starts working as soon as you administer your first dose. But it can take longer for it to reach its full effects. Over half of people new to biologic treatment had noticeable improvement of their IBD symptoms after just one dose of Stelara. For psoriasis, many people saw improved skin appearance after 12 weeks of treatment. Keep in mind that everyone responds to Stelara differently. Talk to your healthcare team if you have questions or concerns about how long it’s taking for Stelara to work for your symptoms.
The bottom line
Stelara (ustekinumab) is an injectable medication that treats psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis in adults and children ages 6 and older. It also treats inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in adults. Your Stelara dosage is based on your body weight and the condition you’re using it for.
For psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, you’ll receive 2 starting doses injected under the skin 4 weeks apart. Then you’ll inject Stelara once every 12 weeks. For adults, the Stelara dosage is either 45 mg or 90 mg, and the dose is the same for both the loading and maintenance doses. The Stelara dosage for IBD in adults starts with a one-time infusion into a vein, and the dose ranges from 260 mg to 520 mg. After that, you’ll inject 90 mg of Stelara under the skin every 8 weeks.
Stelara infusions are given by a trained medical professional. But you can inject Stelara under the skin yourself at home once you’ve been trained to do so safely. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your pharmacist or prescriber if you have any questions about your Stelara dosage or how to inject it.
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References
J&J Medical Connect. (2025). Ustekinumab – An unbranded biologic of Stelara (ustekinumab).
J&J withMe. (2025). Paying for Stelara.
Janssen Biotech. (2025). Stelara - ustekinumab injection, solution; Stelara - ustekinumab solution [package insert].
Jeremias, S. (2025). FDA approves Starjemza as new Stelara biosimilar. American Journal of Managed Care.
MedlinePlus. (2025). Ustekinumab injection.
