Ixekizumab
Brand names: Taltz
Ixekizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody (a biologic) given by subcutaneous injection for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis.
Adult dose
Dose adjustments
Not studied in renal or hepatic impairment; no dose recommendations can be made.
Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.
Contraindications
- Serious hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients
- Clinically important active infections (e.g. active tuberculosis)
Side effects
- Injection site reactions (very common, 15.5%) — most frequently erythema and pain, predominantly mild to moderate
- Upper respiratory tract infection (very common, 16.4%, most frequently nasopharyngitis)
- Tinea infection and mucocutaneous herpes simplex (common)
- Oropharyngeal pain and nausea (common)
- Uncommon: influenza, rhinitis, oral candidiasis, conjunctivitis, cellulitis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, angioedema, inflammatory bowel disease, urticaria, rash, eczema; rare: anaphylaxis, oesophageal candidiasis, exfoliative dermatitis
Interactions
- Live vaccines — must not be used with live vaccines; no data on response to live vaccines and insufficient data on inactivated vaccines (SPC section 4.4)
- Other immunomodulatory agents or phototherapy — safety of the combination has not been evaluated in plaque psoriasis studies
- Oral corticosteroids, NSAIDs, sulfasalazine and methotrexate — clearance of ixekizumab was not affected by concomitant administration (population pharmacokinetic analyses)
- Cytochrome P450 substrates — an interaction study is referenced in SPC section 4.5 but the fetched source text is truncated at this point; clinician to check the full SPC
Clinical monograph
How it works
It selectively binds interleukin-17A, neutralising this pro-inflammatory cytokine and reducing the keratinocyte activation and inflammation that drive psoriatic plaques.
Prescribing in practice
- Screen for latent tuberculosis and active infection before starting, as IL-17 inhibition increases susceptibility to infections including mucocutaneous candidiasis.
- Avoid initiation during active serious infection and use caution in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, which may be triggered or worsened.
- Ensure vaccinations are up to date beforehand and avoid live vaccines during treatment.
Monitoring
Monitor clinically for signs of infection, for new or worsening inflammatory bowel disease symptoms, and for treatment response at the skin and joints.
Counselling the patient
- Report fevers, persistent sore throat, oral thrush or other signs of infection.
- Tell your clinician about any new or worsening bowel symptoms such as diarrhoea or abdominal pain.
- This is a self-injectable biologic; follow the injection technique you are taught and rotate sites.
Evidence & guidelines
Efficacy in plaque psoriasis was demonstrated in the UNCOVER phase 3 trial programme, and ixekizumab is recommended by NICE within its licensed indications.
Reference: UNCOVER-2 Trial (Griffiths et al. NEJM 2015); NICE TA442; SPC Taltz; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- SMART Risk Score for Recurrent CVD · Cardiovascular Risk
- PCSK9 Inhibitor Eligibility Assessment · Lipid Management
- PASI — Psoriasis Area and Severity Index · Diagnosis
- DLQI — Dermatology Life Quality Index · Diagnosis
- PASI Score (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) · Psoriasis
- DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) · Quality of Life
- Suspicious Pigmented Lesion — Melanoma Pathway · NICE NG14 2015 / BAD
- Cellulitis and Erysipelas · NICE NG141 2019 / CREST
- Psoriasis — Severity Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG153 2019 / BAD
- Atopic Eczema — Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG95 2023
- Urticaria and Angioedema · BSACI / EAACI Guidelines 2022
- Acne Vulgaris — Grading and Treatment · NICE NG198 2021 / BAD