Tremfya, Cosentyx, and Humira are all biologic treatments for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, but they work through different mechanisms and have different dosing schedules.

Tremfya vs. Cosentyx (secukinumab): Tremfya is an IL-23 inhibitor; Cosentyx is an IL-17 inhibitor. They target different points in the inflammatory pathway. Cosentyx is typically injected monthly after starter doses and also treats ankylosing spondylitis and hidradenitis suppurativa, making it broader in indication. Tremfya requires fewer injections per year and does not carry the same risk of worsening inflammatory bowel disease symptoms that is associated with IL-17 inhibitors like Cosentyx.

Tremfya vs. Humira (adalimumab): Humira is a TNF blocker — an older class of biologic with a broader range of indications including rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. It requires injections every other week. Humira biosimilars are now available, which can significantly affect insurance formulary placement and cost. Head-to-head data comparing Tremfya directly to Humira for psoriasis is limited, but IL-23 inhibitors as a class have generally shown higher skin clearance rates in trials than older TNF blockers.

Your Honeydew dermatologist will consider your full medical history, current medications, insurance formulary, and treatment goals when recommending which biologic is right for you.

Tremfya may not be appropriate for everyone. It is generally not recommended for patients with any active serious infections, as it modulates immune function and may affect your body's ability to fight infection. Your Honeydew provider will review your medical history for any conditions that increase infection risk before prescribing.

Patients with a known allergy to guselkumab or any ingredients in Tremfya should not use it. It is also not recommended for patients with untreated active TB.

From an insurance standpoint, many plans require step therapy before approving a biologic,  meaning you may need documentation of having tried other treatments first, such as topical medications or conventional systemics. Your Honeydew provider will assess your full treatment history and help determine whether Tremfya is the right next step, or whether a different biologic or treatment approach fits your situation better.

Yes. Because Tremfya works by modulating the immune system, your Honeydew provider will screen you for latent tuberculosis (TB) and review your history for any active infections before starting treatment. This is standard for all biologic medications and is not a reason to delay — it's a routine safety step.

Tremfya may also require liver function testing before and periodically during treatment, particularly for patients being treated for certain inflammatory conditions. Your provider will order any necessary labs as part of your onboarding, and Honeydew coordinates the lab process on your behalf.

If latent TB is detected, it can typically be treated before or alongside Tremfya under your provider's guidance. All of this is managed online through Honeydew — no separate specialist appointments required.

Yes, guselkumab is the generic (scientific) name for Tremfya. You may see "guselkumab" on your insurance paperwork, prescription label, or medical records. It is the same medication. Tremfya is the brand name manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson company.

Guselkumab is a human monoclonal antibody that works by selectively blocking the p19 subunit of IL-23, a protein in the immune system that triggers the inflammation responsible for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. There are currently no FDA-approved biosimilar (generic equivalent) versions of guselkumab available in the United States.

Tremfya is given as a subcutaneous injection — a small shot administered just under the skin, typically in the stomach or thigh. It comes as a prefilled One-Press pen or a prefilled syringe, both designed for self-administration at home.

The dosing schedule is: one injection at week 0, a second at week 4, and then one maintenance injection every 8 weeks. This means most patients take approximately 6–7 injections per year after the first month.

Your Honeydew provider will walk you through the injection process and confirm you're comfortable before your first dose. If self-injection isn't an option, your prescription can be arranged for administration at a specialty pharmacy or clinical setting.

Most patients begin to see meaningful skin improvement within 12 to 16 weeks of starting Tremfya. In clinical trials, at least 7 out of 10 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis achieved 90% or greater skin clearance at week 16. Results continue to improve with ongoing treatment — after 3 years, approximately 80% of patients reported a 90% improvement in their skin.

For psoriatic arthritis, more than half of patients saw at least a 20% improvement in joint pain, stiffness, and swelling at 24 weeks, with sustained results at 2 years.

Individual timelines vary based on the severity of your psoriasis, overall health, and whether you've been on other biologics previously. Your Honeydew provider will monitor your progress at regular check-ins and adjust your care plan if needed.

Tremfya (guselkumab) and Skyrizi (risankizumab) are both IL-23 inhibitors — they work through the same mechanism, blocking IL-23 to reduce the inflammation that drives plaque psoriasis. Both have strong clinical clearance rates and are considered among the most effective biologics available for moderate to severe psoriasis. The key practical differences come down to dosing frequency, age eligibility, and insurance coverage.

Dosing: Tremfya is given every 8 weeks after two starter doses (approximately 6–7 injections per year). Skyrizi is given every 12 weeks after starter doses (4–5 injections per year). Patients who prefer fewer injections often lean toward Skyrizi; those whose insurance covers Tremfya more favorably may find it the better practical choice.

Pediatric use: Tremfya is currently the only IL-23 inhibitor with FDA approval for children ages 6 and older with plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Skyrizi does not yet have pediatric approval.

Insurance: Coverage varies by plan. Some insurers prefer one over the other based on formulary placement. Honeydew prescribes both and will help identify which is better covered under your specific plan.

Your Honeydew dermatologist can review your history, insurance, and treatment goals to recommend which is the better fit for you.

Yes, and this is something that makes Tremfya unique among biologics. In September 2025, the FDA expanded Tremfya's approval to include pediatric patients ages 6 and older who weigh at least 40 kg (approximately 88 lbs), making it the first and only IL-23 inhibitor approved for children with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis or active psoriatic arthritis.

The dosing schedule for eligible pediatric patients is the same as adults: 100 mg injections at week 0, week 4, and then every 8 weeks. For pediatric patients, administration should be performed by a healthcare provider or trained caregiver.

If your child has been diagnosed with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, Honeydew can facilitate a consultation. A parent or guardian will need to be part of the initial visit for patients under 18.

Yes. Tremfya is FDA-approved for both moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults. If you experience both skin plaques and joint symptoms — such as pain, stiffness, or swelling in your fingers, wrists, or other joints — Tremfya may address both simultaneously.

In clinical studies, more than half of patients treated with Tremfya saw at least a 20% improvement in active psoriatic arthritis symptoms including joint pain, stiffness, and swelling at 24 weeks. For patients who continued treatment, a similar improvement was maintained at 2 years.

If you have psoriatic arthritis alongside plaque psoriasis, mention both during your Honeydew consultation so your provider can build a treatment plan that addresses your full picture.

Yes, Honeydew's board-certified dermatologists prescribe and manage Tremfya entirely online. No in-person office visits are required. You complete a medical questionnaire and share your health history and skin information. If your provider needs to speak with you directly, a video consult can typically be scheduled within 48 hours.

From there, your dermatologist reviews your case, confirms eligibility, manages prior authorization with your insurance, and coordinates delivery through a specialty pharmacy — all online. Tremfya is a specialty medication that requires a licensed dermatologist and ongoing monitoring, and Honeydew is specifically set up to manage that process virtually.

Yes, most insurance plans require prior authorization before covering Tremfya. This means your dermatologist must submit documentation showing Tremfya is medically necessary, and many insurers also require step therapy, meaning you may need to have tried other treatments before a biologic is approved.

This is often the most frustrating part of starting a specialty biologic, and it's something Honeydew manages entirely on your behalf. Your Honeydew provider prepares and submits prior authorization documentation, follows up with your insurer, and coordinates with the specialty pharmacy so delays are minimized. If coverage is denied, we guide you through the appeals process.

Getting Tremfya prescribed online through Honeydew doesn't mean navigating insurance paperwork on your own — we handle the access process from start to finish.

Tremfya's list price is approximately $14,000 per injection, which can make it sound unaffordable but most patients pay significantly less, and many pay $0. Here's how it breaks down:

With commercial insurance, Tremfya is typically covered as a specialty-tier biologic. Eligible commercially insured patients can enroll in the Tremfya withMe Savings Program, which can reduce your out-of-pocket cost to $0 per dose. The program also provides support for eligible lab costs and treatment administration. Honeydew handles insurance verification and prior authorization on your behalf before you start, so coverage is confirmed upfront.

Without commercial insurance, the Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation may provide Tremfya at no cost for up to one year for patients who meet income and eligibility requirements. If your insurance approval is delayed, Janssen's support programs can help bridge the gap while your coverage is being processed.

Honeydew's membership fee (starting at $25/month on an annual plan) is separate from medication costs and is HSA/FSA eligible. We handle prior authorization, pharmacy coordination, and insurance navigation on your behalf so you're not managing the paperwork alone.

Tremfya may be appropriate for people with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who haven’t achieved adequate control with topical or other treatments. Your provider will determine eligibility.

Tremfya is given as a subcutaneous injection. After starter doses, it’s typically taken once every 8 weeks.

Tremfya is usually used long term to maintain psoriasis control. Duration depends on response and provider guidance.

Common side effects include injection-site reactions and mild infections like colds. Your provider monitors safety throughout treatment.

No. Tremfya does not require pregnancy testing or special enrollment programs. Your provider will review safe use based on your medical history.

If you or your child is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian should be part of the initial consultation. In circumstances where this is not possible, please contact info@honeydewcare.com and we will assist you with alternate ways to establish parental consent.

We will run the prescriptions through your insurance and help you find the lowest costs out there. The membership fee and any products are also eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement.

We offer comprehensive support for our patients, including access to experienced providers, assistance with lab orders and the iPledge program (when needed), unlimited support, and progress tracking.