Skip to content
ClinCalc Pro
Menu
IL-17A Inhibitor — Psoriasis Pregnancy: Limited data in pregnant women; as a precautionary measure it is preferable to avoid use during pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 10 weeks after treatment. Breast-feeding: excretion in human milk unknown (excreted at low levels in cynomolgus monkey milk) — decide whether to discontinue breast-feeding or treatment.

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.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) at week 0, followed by 80 mg (one injection) at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, then maintenance 80 mg (one injection) every 4 weeks
Route: Subcutaneous injection
Frequency: Induction at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, then every 4 weeks (Q4W)
Regimen above is for plaque psoriasis in adults. Psoriatic arthritis: 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) at week 0, then 80 mg every 4 weeks; for psoriatic arthritis patients with concomitant moderate to severe plaque psoriasis the dosing regimen is the same as for plaque psoriasis. Axial spondyloarthritis (radiographic and non-radiographic): 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) at week 0, then 80 mg every 4 weeks. For all indications consider discontinuing treatment in patients who have shown no response after 16 to 20 weeks; some initially partial responders may improve beyond 20 weeks. Elderly: no dose adjustment aged 65 years and over (limited information in those 75 years and over). Paediatric plaque psoriasis (6 years and above) is dosed by weight band, not per kg: greater than 50 kg — starting dose 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) at week 0 then 80 mg every 4 weeks; 25 to 50 kg — starting dose 80 mg at week 0 then 40 mg every 4 weeks. Where no 40 mg presentation is available, 40 mg doses must be prepared and administered by a qualified healthcare professional using the 80 mg pre-filled syringe; use the 80 mg pre-filled pen only in children requiring an 80 mg dose. Not recommended in children with body weight below 25 kg; no relevant use below 25 kg or below 6 years, and efficacy/safety data are not available below 6 years. Paediatric body weights must be recorded and regularly re-checked prior to dosing. Safety and efficacy in paediatric psoriatic arthritis (2 to less than 18 years) have not been established. Subcutaneous use; injection sites may be alternated and areas of psoriatic skin avoided; the solution/pen must not be shaken. Patients may self-inject after proper training if the healthcare professional determines it appropriate. Intended for use under the guidance and supervision of a physician experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of the indicated conditions.

Dose adjustments

Renal

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.