What is ixekizumab, and how does it work?
- Ixekizumab is an injectable biologic drug that suppresses the immune system
and is used for the treatment of psoriasis. It is an antibody that binds to
interleukin 17A (IL-17A), a chemical produced by cells in the body that
stimulates immune reactions. Scientists believe that psoriasis is caused by an
increase in the production of T-lymphocytes in response to the attachment of a
stimulant, such as interleukin, to the lymphocyte. Stimulated T-lymphocytes
cause skin cells to grow rapidly, and the rapid growth of the skin cells
produces the skin plaques of psoriasis. Ixekizumab reduces symptoms of psoriasis
(inflammation and excessive production of skin cells) by attaching to IL-17A,
preventing it from binding and activating T-lymphocytes. - The FDA approved
Ixekizumab in March, 2016.
What brand names are available for ixekizumab?
What brand names are available for ixekizumab?
- Taltz is the brand name for ixekizumab available in the US.
Is ixekizumab available as a generic drug?
- No, this drug is not available as a generic.
Do I need a prescription for ixekizumab?
- Yes, you need a prescription for this drug.
What are the uses for ixekizumab?
- Ixekizumab is approved for treating adult patients with moderate to
severe
plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or medications that
are absorbed into the blood stream (systemic therapy).
What are the side effects of ixekizumab?
Common side effects include:
- Injection site reactions
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Nausea
- Tinea infections
Other important side effects include:
Possible serious side effects include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
(Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) - Angioedema
- Antibody development against ixekizumab
- Low white blood count
- Low platelet count
(thrombocytopenia) - Serious infections
Ixekizumab increases the risk of infections. Therefore, patients
should be evaluated for a history of latent or active tuberculosis
infections. Patients with active tuberculosis infection should not
receive Ixekizumab.
What is the dosage for ixekizumab?
- This drug is injected under the skin (subcutaneous injection).
- The recommended dose is 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) at week 0, followed by
80 mg at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, then 80 mg every 4 weeks.
Which drugs or supplements interact with ixekizumab?
-
Live vaccines should not be administered to patients treated with ixekizumab
because they may develop active disease from the live viruses contained in the
vaccine because of their weakened immune system. - Vaccine containing killed virus
may not generate an adequate immune response because ixekizumab suppresses the
immune system. - Ixekizumab may indirectly alter blood levels of warfarin (Coumadin,
Jantoven), cyclosporine (Neoral), and other drugs that are metabolized by liver enzymes called CYP450 because the formation of these liver enzymes is affected by the level of interleukins.
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Is ixekizumab safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
- Use of ixekizumab in
pregnant women has not been adequately evaluated. - It is not known if ixekizumab is secreted in breast milk, and, therefore, if
there are effects on the
nursing infant.
What else should I know about ixekizumab?
What preparations of ixekizumab are available?
- Solution for injection: 80 mg/ml single-dose prefilled
autoinjector or prefilled syringe.
How should I keep ixekizumab stored?
- This drug should be refrigerated at 2 C – 8 C (36 F – 46 F) and it should
not be frozen. - The single-dose autoinjector or syringe should be discarded in a
puncture-resistant container after use.