Published October 14, 2025
People with certain skin conditions, such as plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, may be taking the drug Cosentyx (secukinumab). Cosentyx is an injectable medicine that is prescribed by a doctor. However, the person, or a caregiver, administers it at home.
Recently, we received a report that pharmacy staff have been retrieving the wrong form of Cosentyx from the refrigerator when filling prescriptions. Cosentyx comes in single-dose pen injectors, single-dose prefilled syringes, and vials. However, the mix-ups have occurred with pen injectors and prefilled syringes.
The reporter stated that cartons for the same strengths of Cosentyx prefilled syringes and pen injectors look very similar (Figure 1). Also, they noted that an error is more likely to occur when multiple packages (e.g., three pens) are needed to fill a prescription. An incorrect carton maybe more difficult to notice if the two other cartons are correct. The syringes and pen injectors have different directions for use, so a mix-up could lead to an error.
Here’s what you can do: If you or a family member takes Cosentyx, make sure you know which product has been prescribed for you; a pen injector or a prefilled syringe. When picking up the prescription, whether itis a new prescription or a refill, ask to speak to the pharmacist. Open the bag and look at each carton to make sure it is correct and that they are all the same. Ask the pharmacist to show you how to give the injection. All of these actions may help prevent an error.
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