From the Guidelines
Taltz is a biologic medication that contains the active ingredient ixekizumab, which is used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis by targeting and blocking interleukin-17A (IL-17A).
Key Points
- The initial dose of ixekizumab is 160 mg by self-administered subcutaneous injection followed by 80 mg at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, as recommended by the joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with biologics 1.
- The maintenance dose of ixekizumab after the initial 12 weeks is 80 mg every 4 weeks, with some patients requiring an 80-mg dose every 2 weeks to maintain response to treatment 1.
- Ixekizumab has been shown to be effective in treating various forms of psoriasis, including scalp psoriasis, nail psoriasis, and genital psoriasis, with significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life 2.
- Common side effects of ixekizumab include injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections, nausea, and fungal infections, and patients should be screened for tuberculosis before starting treatment and avoid live vaccines while using it.
Administration and Dosage
- The medication is administered as an injection under the skin, typically starting with two initial doses followed by one injection every four weeks for maintenance therapy.
- The dosage may vary depending on the individual patient's response to treatment, with some patients requiring more frequent injections to maintain efficacy.
Mechanism of Action
- Ixekizumab works by targeting and blocking IL-17A, a protein involved in inflammation that contributes to various autoimmune conditions.
- By interrupting the immune pathways responsible for symptoms, ixekizumab provides a targeted approach to treating inflammatory conditions, rather than broadly suppressing the entire immune system.
From the FDA Drug Label
TALTZ is a prescription medicine used to treat: people 6 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light). adults with active psoriatic arthritis adults with active ankylosing spondylitis. adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation.
Taltz is a prescription medicine used to treat various conditions, including moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, active ankylosing spondylitis, and active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. It is administered via subcutaneous injection. 3, 4, 5
From the Research
What is Taltz
- Taltz, also known as ixekizumab, is a subcutaneously administered, humanized anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody 6
- It is indicated for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy 6
- Ixekizumab is also licensed for use in psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis 7
Mechanism of Action
- Ixekizumab targets IL-17A, disrupting inflammatory cascades in psoriasis 8
- It has been shown to induce a 75% reduction in psoriasis area severity index (PASI 75) in 89% of patients after 12 weeks 8
Efficacy and Safety
- Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of ixekizumab in treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis 6, 8, 9
- Common adverse events include nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infections, and injection-site reactions 10, 9
- The risk of inflammatory bowel disease may be increased with ixekizumab 8, 9