What Is Pyzchiva? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Pyzchiva (pronounced "piz-chi-va") is a biologic medication that entered the US market in February 2025. If your doctor has recommended Pyzchiva — or if you have been switched from Stelara to Pyzchiva — this guide gives you everything you need to understand what the medication is, what it treats, and how to use it.

What Is Pyzchiva?

Pyzchiva (ustekinumab-ttwe) is a biosimilar to Stelara (ustekinumab). A biosimilar is a biologic medication that has been shown to have no clinically meaningful differences in safety, purity, or potency compared to the reference product (Stelara). Think of it as biologic medicine's version of a generic drug — it works the same way, but it is made by a different manufacturer (Samsung Bioepis) and sold in the US by Sandoz.

Pyzchiva was FDA-approved on June 28, 2024 and is available in the US as of February 2025. The FDA has also provisionally determined Pyzchiva to be interchangeable with Stelara, meaning pharmacists in many states can substitute Pyzchiva for a Stelara prescription without requiring a new prescription from your doctor.

What Does Pyzchiva Treat?

Pyzchiva is approved for the same four conditions as Stelara:

1. Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: In adults and children 6 years of age and older who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
2. Active psoriatic arthritis: In adults and children 6 years of age and older.
3. Moderately-to-severely active Crohn's disease: In adults 18 years of age and older.
4. Moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis: In adults 18 years of age and older.

How Is Pyzchiva Given?

Pyzchiva is available in several forms depending on your condition and dose. For most patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, it is given as a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection that you can administer yourself or have a caregiver give after proper training.

Available forms include:

• 45 mg/0.5 mL prefilled syringe or autoinjector
• 90 mg/mL prefilled syringe or autoinjector
• 130 mg/26 mL (5 mg/mL) single-dose vial for intravenous infusion (for IBD induction)

Pyzchiva Dosage by Condition

Plaque psoriasis (adults, 100 kg or less): 45 mg subcutaneously at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks thereafter.

Plaque psoriasis (adults, over 100 kg): 90 mg subcutaneously at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks thereafter.

Psoriatic arthritis (adults): 45 mg at weeks 0 and 4, then every 12 weeks. 90 mg for patients over 100 kg with coexisting plaque psoriasis.

Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (adults): Induction: single IV infusion weight-based (260 mg for 55 kg or less, 390 mg for 55-85 kg, 520 mg for over 85 kg). Maintenance: 90 mg subcutaneously every 8 weeks starting 8 weeks after the initial IV dose.

Pediatric dosing: For patients 6 to 17 years old with plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, dosing is weight-based. The prescriber determines the appropriate dose based on the child's current weight at the time of each treatment.

How Often Do You Take Pyzchiva?

One of the most patient-friendly features of Pyzchiva (and ustekinumab products generally) is the infrequent dosing schedule:

• Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: every 12 weeks (once per quarter) after the loading doses
• Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis maintenance: every 8 weeks (about 6.5 times per year)

Who Should Not Take Pyzchiva?

Pyzchiva should not be used by people who:

• Have a known serious allergy (hypersensitivity) to ustekinumab products or any ingredient in Pyzchiva
• Have an active, serious infection — do not start Pyzchiva while you have a clinically important active infection
• Have untreated latent tuberculosis — TB screening is required before starting therapy

Is Pyzchiva the Same as Stelara?

Pyzchiva is not exactly the same as Stelara — it is manufactured by a different company and has a different formulation code (ustekinumab-ttwe vs. ustekinumab). However, the FDA has confirmed that it has no clinically meaningful differences from Stelara in terms of safety, purity, or potency. It works the same way, treats the same conditions, and follows the same dosing schedule. For more on how it works, see: How Does Pyzchiva Work? And to find Pyzchiva at a pharmacy near you, visit medfinder.