Taltz (ixekizumab)

Description

What is Taltz (ixekizumab) for?

Taltz (ixekizumab) is a monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of people with:

• moderate to severe plaque psoriasis^[2,3,4] who are candidates for systemic therapy^[2,3,4] or phototherapy^[2,3]

• Active psoriatic arthritis^[2,4] in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapies^[4].

How does Taltz (ixekizumab) work?

The active ingredient in Taltz, ixekizumab, is a humanised interleukin-17A antagonist^[2]; a protein designed to attach to interleukin 17A, a messenger molecule in the immune system.

Interleukin 17A is involved in immune system effects, including inflammation, that cause psoriasis^[1] and psoriatic arthritis. By attaching to interleukin 17A, ixekizumab blocks its action and reduces the activity of the immune system, thereby reducing the symptoms of psoriasis^[1] and psoriatic arthritis.

Where has Taltz (ixekizumab) been approved?

Taltz (ixekizumab) was approved by:

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA:

  • March 22, 2016, for plaque psoriasis^[2]

  • December 1, 2017, for psoriatic arthritis^[8]

• European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union:

  • May 2, 2016, for plaque psoriasis^[1]

  • January 11, 2018, for psoriatic arthritis^[1]

• Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia, September 6, 2016, for plaque psoriasis^[3]

• Health Canada, August 11, 2016, for plaque psoriasis^[10]

Please note that this medicine may have also been approved in other regions than the ones we’ve listed. If you have a question about its approval in a specific country feel free to contact our support team.

How is Taltz (ixekizumab) taken?

The standard dosage for plaque psoriasis is:

• first dose of 160 mg (two subcutaneous injections)

• for the first 12 weeks: a subcutaneous injection of 80 mg every 2 weeks

• thereafter a subcutaneous injection of 80 mg every 4 weeks.

The standard dosage for psoriatic arthritis is:

• first dose of 160 mg (two subcutaneous injections)

• thereafter a subcutaneous injection of 80 mg every 4 weeks.

Taltz (ixekizumab) is provided as a prefilled syringe or a prefilled pen. Instruction for the use of the prefilled syringe and the prefilled pen can be found in our resources section^[5,6].

Complete information about Taltz (ixekizumab) dosage and administration can be found in the official prescribing information listed in our references section^[2,3,4].

Please consult with your treating doctor for personalised dosing.