Ixekizumab
About Ixekizumab
Ixekizumab is an injectable prescription medicine used to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, and certain inflammatory spinal conditions. It targets a specific protein in the body that causes inflammation, helping to clear painful skin plaques and reduce joint swelling. By controlling this underlying immune response, Ixekizumab helps manage chronic symptoms that have not responded well to other treatments.
Because Ixekizumab is given as an injection under the skin, it does not interact with food in your stomach, meaning you can take your dose with or without meals. To achieve the best results, it is important to take your injections consistently and exactly on the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Combining your treatment with healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a balanced diet and protecting your skin from injury, can also help improve your overall outcomes.
Some people may experience mild side effects, such as redness or pain at the injection site, or mild cold-like symptoms. While these are common and usually resolve on their own, you must contact your doctor immediately if you face serious side effects, such as signs of a severe infection, high fever, or unexpected changes in your bowel habits.
Before starting this medicine, talk to your doctor if you have a history of tuberculosis, active infections, or inflammatory bowel disease. Do not take this if you have had a severe allergic reaction to Ixekizumab or any of the ingredients in this injection. Your doctor will run specific tests to ensure it is safe for you to start treatment.
Taking this medicine with other treatments that suppress your immune system can increase your risk of infections. Additionally, you should consult your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, as the effects of this medicine on unborn or nursing babies require careful medical evaluation.
Uses of Ixekizumab
Medicinal Benefits
Ixekizumab provides targeted relief from inflammation and can help improve symptoms associated with skin and joint conditions. The key benefits of Ixekizumab include:
- Skin Symptom Relief: Ixekizumab offers targeted relief from the chronic inflammation that causes uncomfortable skin symptoms. Many patients see significant clearance of skin plaques within the first few weeks of starting treatment, which can greatly improve physical comfort and daily confidence.
- Improved Joint Function: For those living with joint conditions, Ixekizumab helps reduce painful swelling and stiffness. This targeted inflammation control makes it easier to perform everyday tasks, stay active, and maintain better flexibility in your joints and spine.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctors instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Check the label for directions and use as advised by the doctor.
- Gently pinch and hold a fold of skin where you will inject Ixekizumab. Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle, push the plunger to inject the medication. It can be administered on the front of your thighs (upper leg), abdomen, or upper arm.
- Do not inject in an area of the skin that is tender, bruised, red, or hard, or in an area of skin that is affected by psoriasis.
Storage
Side Effects of Ixekizumab
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Redness, itching, or pain around the injection site
- Cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, or sinus congestion
- Nausea
- Mild fungal infections, such as athlete's foot
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or a severe skin rash
- Signs of infection, including a high fever, persistent cough, chills, sweats, or burning during urination
- New or worsening symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, such as severe stomach pain, persistent diarrhoea, or blood in your stool
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect the device before use: Always check the expiration date and the liquid inside the device before injecting. If the device looks damaged or the liquid is cloudy, do not use it.
- Practise needle safety: Never reuse needles, syringes, or autoinjectors. Dispose of them immediately after a single use in a puncture-resistant sharps disposal container.
- Avoid live vaccines: You should not receive live vaccines while using Ixekizumab. Talk to your doctor to ensure your immunisations are up to date before starting this treatment.
- Rotate your injection sites: Keep track of where you inject each time. Choosing a new spot for each dose helps prevent skin thickening, bruising, and severe injection site pain.
- Watch for new digestive issues: Monitor your health closely and inform your doctor immediately if you develop any new or worsening bowel problems, such as frequent diarrhoea or stomach cramps.
Drug Interactions
- Other biological therapies: Combining Ixekizumab with other biologic medicines or strong immune-suppressing drugs can significantly increase your risk of developing serious infections.
- Live vaccines: Receiving a live vaccine while taking Ixekizumab may cause the vaccine to be less effective or cause the vaccine virus to replicate, as your body’s immune defences are modified.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorThe interaction of alcohol with Ixekizumab is unknown. If you have any concerns, please discuss them with your doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; your doctor will administer Ixekizumab only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Ixekizumab passes into breast milk or not. Therefore, please inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor decides based on the benefits and risks of Ixekizumab to the mother and baby.
Driving
safe if prescribedIxekizumab usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machines.
Liver
consult your doctorPlease inform your doctor if you have liver impairment/liver disease before receiving Ixekizumab.
Kidney
consult your doctorPlease inform your doctor if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease before receiving Ixekizumab.
Children
safe if prescribedIxekizumab is safe for children if prescribed by a doctor and is not recommended for children under 6 years of age. The dose and duration may vary depending on the child’s weight and the severity of the child's medical condition.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet: Focus on eating whole foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, such as leafy greens, berries, nuts, and fish, which can support your body’s management of chronic inflammation.
- Moisturise your skin gently: Use thick, fragrance-free moisturisers daily to help soothe dry skin and protect your skin barrier. Avoid hot showers, which can strip moisture and worsen psoriasis plaques.
- Engage in gentle, regular exercise: Activities like walking, swimming, or stationary cycling can keep your joints flexible and strengthen the surrounding muscles without putting too much stress on your body.
- Practise strict infection prevention: Because Ixekizumab affects your immune system, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and try to avoid close contact with anyone who has an active cold, flu, or other infections.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Plaque psoriasis: Plaque psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition. It is the most common form of psoriasis, in which skin cells multiply faster than usual, resulting in white scales and itchy, red, dry patches.
Plaque arthritis: Plaque arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis associated with psoriasis. It is characterized by joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Ankylosing spondylitis: Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that mainly targets the spine, leading to symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Prolonged inflammation can cause the vertebrae to fuse, ultimately resulting in a stiff and inflexible spine.
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA): Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, causing chronic pain and stiffness. It is characterized by inflammation and symptoms similar to ankylosing spondylitis but without visible damage on X-rays.
FAQs
Ixekizumab belongs to the group of medications called monoclonal antibodies used to treat chronic autoimmune disorders such as plaque psoriasis, plaque arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.
Ixekizumab contains Ixekizumab. It works by blocking the action of a certain natural substance in the body that causes the symptoms of psoriasis. Inhibiting this cytokine helps reduce the inflammation and rapid skin cell regeneration associated with the condition, leading to symptom improvement.
Call your doctor if you experience symptoms such as itching, rash, hives, feeling faint, swelling of the face, tongue, eyelids, or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, tightness in the chest or throat, dry skin, scaling, redness, crusting of the skin, oozing or crusty blisters and any unusual problems while using this medication.
Ixekizumab may cause common side effects, such as diarrhoea (with or without blood), nausea, abdominal pain, red, itchy, or watery eyes, stuffy or runny nose, redness or pain at the injection site, and weight loss. Please consult your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
Do not discontinue treatment with Ixekizumab without consulting your doctor. To treat your medical condition effectively, continue using Ixekizumab or visit your doctor for administration as long as it has been prescribed for you.
Yes, you can travel with Ixekizumab. If you cannot keep it refrigerated, you can store it at room temperature (up to 30°C or 86°F) for up to 14 days, but you must protect it from extreme heat and light. Talk to your pharmacist about the best way to transport your medicine safely.
Your doctor will perform tests, including a tuberculosis screening, before you start treatment. While regular blood monitoring is not always required for everyone, your doctor may check your health periodically. Talk to your doctor to discuss your specific monitoring schedule.
There is no direct chemical interaction between alcohol and Ixekizumab. However, regular alcohol consumption can worsen inflammatory conditions like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Talk to your doctor about how much alcohol is safe for you to drink during your treatment.
Mild redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site is common and usually improves within a few days. Applying a cool compress gently to the area can help soothe the irritation. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the reaction is severe, grows larger, or does not go away.
The effects of Ixekizumab on pregnancy are not fully known. Your healthcare provider will help you weigh the benefits of controlling your inflammation against any potential risks to your developing baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant.
If you have a mild cold, you may still be able to take your dose, but if you have a fever, are taking antibiotics, or have a more serious infection, you may need to delay your injection. Talk to your doctor before taking your dose if you feel unwell.
No, Ixekizumab does not cure these conditions, as they are chronic, long-term diseases. However, it is highly effective at managing the underlying inflammation to keep your symptoms under control and prevent progressive joint damage. Talk to your doctor for more information on managing your condition long-term.
