Anti-IL-17A Monoclonal Antibody Pregnancy: Limited data in pregnant women; as a precautionary measure it is preferable to avoid use during pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential should use an effective method of contraception during treatment and for at least 10 weeks after treatment.

Ixekizumab

Brand names: Taltz

Ixekizumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-17A, given by subcutaneous injection. It is used 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: Plaque psoriasis in adults: 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 dosing of 80 mg (one injection) every 4 weeks. Psoriatic arthritis: 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) at week 0, followed by 80 mg (one injection) every 4 weeks thereafter. Axial spondyloarthritis (radiographic and non-radiographic): 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) at week 0, followed by 80 mg every 4 weeks.

Route: Subcutaneous injection

Frequency: Loading dose at week 0, then every 4 weeks (plaque psoriasis has additional 80 mg doses at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 before 4-weekly maintenance)

For psoriatic arthritis patients with concomitant moderate to severe plaque psoriasis the recommended dosing regimen is the same as for plaque psoriasis. For all indications, consideration should be given to discontinuing treatment in patients who have shown no response after 16 to 20 weeks; some patients with an initially partial response may subsequently improve beyond 20 weeks. Elderly: no dose adjustment required in subjects aged 65 years and over; limited information in subjects aged 75 years and over. Paediatric plaque psoriasis (6 years and above) is dosed by weight band, not per kg: greater than 50 kg - 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) at week 0 then 80 mg every 4 weeks; 25 to 50 kg - 80 mg at week 0 then 40 mg every 4 weeks. Available data do not support a posology below a body weight of 25 kg and Taltz is not recommended below 25 kg. Safety and efficacy in children and adolescents aged 2 to under 18 years for psoriatic arthritis have not been established. Paediatric body weights must be recorded and regularly re-checked prior to dosing. Verify all paediatric dosing against a children's formulary. Administration: injection sites may be alternated; avoid areas of skin showing psoriasis; the solution or pen must not be shaken; patients may self-inject after proper training if a healthcare professional determines it is appropriate.

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)
Upper respiratory tract infection (very common, 16.4%; most frequently nasopharyngitis)
Tinea infection and mucocutaneous herpes simplex (common)
Oropharyngeal pain (common)
Nausea (common)
Uncommon: angioedema, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, inflammatory bowel disease, oral candidiasis; rare: anaphylaxis

Interactions

The safety of ixekizumab in combination with other immunomodulatory agents or phototherapy has not been evaluated (plaque psoriasis studies)
Clearance of ixekizumab was not affected by concomitant administration of oral corticosteroids, NSAIDs, sulfasalazine or methotrexate (population pharmacokinetic analyses)
Cytochrome P450 substrates: an interaction study is referenced but the text was truncated in the retrieved source - verify against the full SPC section 4.5
Live vaccines: ixekizumab should not be used with live vaccines; no data are available on the response to live vaccines and there are insufficient data on response to inactive vaccines (SPC section 4.4)

Clinical monograph

How it works

It selectively binds and neutralises interleukin-17A, a key cytokine driving the inflammation underlying psoriatic and spondyloarthritic disease.

Prescribing in practice

Avoid in active infection and screen for tuberculosis before starting, as IL-17 inhibition increases susceptibility to infection.
It can cause or exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease, so use with caution and monitor in patients with a relevant history.
Avoid live vaccines during treatment and review vaccination status beforehand.

Monitoring

Monitor for infection, including mucocutaneous candidiasis, and for new or worsening inflammatory bowel symptoms during therapy.

Counselling the patient

Report signs of infection such as fever, or persistent sore mouth or throat suggesting thrush.
Report new or worsening abdominal pain, diarrhoea or blood in the stool.
Patients or carers can be trained to give the injection at home using the prefilled device.

Evidence & guidelines

NICE recommends ixekizumab for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis within defined treatment criteria.

Reference: NICE TA442; UNCOVER trials; 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).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Drugs

Pathways