From the Guidelines
The recommended starting dosage for Taltz (ixekizumab) is 160-mg subcutaneous injection followed by 80 mg on wk 2, wk 4, wk 6, wk 8, wk 10, and wk 12. This dosing schedule is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which is the joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with biologics, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2019 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The initial dose of 160 mg serves as a loading dose to quickly achieve therapeutic blood levels of the medication.
- The medication should be administered by subcutaneous injection, and patients should be trained on proper injection technique if self-administering.
- Injection sites should be rotated among the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm to minimize the risk of injection site reactions.
- The medication should be stored in the refrigerator but brought to room temperature for 30 minutes before injection for comfort.
Important Considerations for Treatment
- Taltz works by targeting interleukin-17A, a cytokine involved in inflammation, thereby reducing symptoms of autoimmune conditions such as plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.
- The dosing schedule may vary depending on the specific condition being treated, and patients should follow the recommended dosing schedule to achieve optimal therapeutic effects.
From the FDA Drug Label
2.2 Recommended Dosage in Adult Plaque Psoriasis TALTZ is administered by subcutaneous injection. The recommended dosage in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis 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.
The recommended starting dosage for Taltz (ixekizumab) is 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) at Week 0 2.
- For adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, this initial dose is followed by 80 mg at Weeks 2,4,6,8,10, and 12, then 80 mg every 4 weeks.
- For pediatric patients from 6 to less than 18 years of age with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, the starting dose varies by weight:
- Greater than 50 kg: 160 mg (two 80 mg injections)
- 25 to 50 kg: 80 mg
- Less than 25 kg: 40 mg
- For psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, the recommended starting dosages are 160 mg at Week 0, 160 mg at Week 0, and 80 mg every 4 weeks, respectively.
From the Research
Dosage Information for Taltz (Ixekizumab)
- The recommended starting dosage for Taltz (ixekizumab) is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
- However, study 3 mentions that ixekizumab 80 mg every 4 weeks and ixekizumab 80 mg every 2 weeks were used in clinical trials for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
- Study 4 also mentions that ixekizumab 80 mg every 2 weeks (IXEQ2W) or every 4 weeks (IXEQ4W) were used in clinical trials for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis.
- It is essential to consult the prescribing information or a healthcare professional for the recommended starting dosage of Taltz (ixekizumab) for specific conditions and patient populations.
Administration and Dosing
- Ixekizumab is administered via subcutaneous injection 3.
- The dosage and administration schedule may vary depending on the condition being treated and the patient's response to therapy.
- Studies 5, 6, and 4 provide information on the efficacy and safety of ixekizumab in various conditions, but do not specify the starting dosage.
Important Considerations
- The dosage of ixekizumab may need to be adjusted based on the patient's response to therapy and the presence of any adverse events 3.
- Healthcare professionals should consult the prescribing information and relevant clinical guidelines for the recommended dosage and administration schedule of Taltz (ixekizumab) for specific patient populations.