Taltz Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Taltz Injection (ixekizumab) is an interleukin (IL) inhibitor, a type of monoclonal antibody, given by injection under the skin. It is used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. It works by blocking a protein called IL-17A that drives inflammation in these conditions. Taltz is available as a prefilled autoinjector, prefilled syringe, or solution for injection.

What is Taltz Injection

Taltz is a brand name for ixekizumab, a medicine given by injection under the skin. It is used to treat certain autoimmune conditions where the immune system causes inflammation in the skin or joints.

Taltz Injection uses

• Plaque psoriasis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis (radiographic axial spondyloarthritis)
• Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

Benefits of Taltz Injection

• Reduces inflammation and symptoms of plaque psoriasis, such as scaling, itching and pain
• Can be used alone or with other medicines, such as methotrexate, for psoriatic arthritis

How Taltz Injection works

Ixekizumab is a monoclonal antibody that works by calming down an overactive immune system. It blocks a protein called IL-17A, which is found in high levels in psoriasis and causes inflammation.

Taltz Injection dosage

This medication is injected under the skin, usually by a care team member, but it may also be given at home after proper training. Use exactly as directed and take it at the same time as scheduled; keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop. Your first dose should be given by a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist; do not inject yourself until you have been trained.

Inject the whole contents of the single-use autoinjector or syringe. If you miss a dose at home, take it as soon as you remember, then continue your normal schedule; do not take double or extra doses. If you miss an appointment for a dose given at a hospital or clinic, call your care team as soon as possible.

Do not use the medicine if it looks cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it, or if the packaging is damaged. Put used needles and syringes in a special sharps container, not in the regular trash.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Prefilled autoinjector (pen)
• Prefilled syringe
• Solution for injection

Side effects of Taltz Injection

Common

• Injection site reactions (such as pain, redness, discoloration, or irritation at the injection site)
• Upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold, flu, sore throat, or stuffy nose
• Nausea
• Fungal infections, such as athlete's foot or oral thrush
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye), especially in children
• Fever, sore throat, or mouth ulcers
• Itchy rash, dry skin, or dry patches

Serious

• Signs of serious allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• Signs of serious infection, such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain when passing urine, night sweats, or feeling very tired
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), which may cause blood in the stool, stomach cramping, or diarrhea
• Severe skin reactions resembling eczema that can lead to hospitalization, including scaly or dry patches, sores, skin color changes, itchiness, or rash
• Severe skin peeling and inflammation of most of the skin surface (exfoliative dermatitis)
• Sudden or severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, or vomiting

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use Taltz if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients.
• Tell your doctor if you have an active infection, long-term infections, or tuberculosis, as you may need treatment or testing before starting Taltz.
• Tell your doctor if you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, as Taltz may cause or worsen inflammatory bowel disease.
• Do not receive live vaccines while using Taltz. Tell your doctor about your vaccination history and any planned vaccinations.
• Do not use the medicine if it appears cloudy, discolored, has particles in it, or if the packaging is damaged or shows signs of tampering.
• Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have the same condition.
• It is not known whether Taltz is safe to use during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before starting treatment.
• It is not known whether Taltz passes into breast milk or how it may affect a breastfed child. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
• Tell your doctor about active or recurrent infections before treatment. Evaluation for tuberculosis is recommended before starting treatment.
• There are no known direct interactions between alcohol and Taltz, but alcohol can lower immune system activity, and so can Taltz, which could raise your risk of infection. 
• Talk to your doctor about how much alcohol may be safe during treatment.
• No routine dose adjustment is generally established for kidney impairment, but kidney disease should be reported.

Storage

• Store in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze.
• Do not shake.
• Keep in the original container to protect from light.
• Use the dose within 30 minutes of removing it from the refrigerator.
• If needed, it can be left out of the refrigerator for up to 5 days at a temperature not above 30°C, such as while traveling; after 5 days out of the fridge it must be thrown away.
• Do not use if it has been frozen or exposed to excessive heat.
• Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
• Take unneeded or expired medication to a medication take-back program or pharmacy for safe disposal.
• Dispose of empty autoinjectors and syringes in a sharps container or similar puncture-proof hard plastic or glass container.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away for signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or severe itching with red rash or raised bumps.
• Stop using Taltz and call your doctor immediately if you notice signs of a serious infection, such as fever, flu-like symptoms, night sweats, feeling tired or short of breath, a cough that won't go away, or warm, red, painful skin or a painful rash with blisters.
• If you think you have used too much Taltz, you may need urgent medical attention. Contact your doctor or go to the emergency department, even if you feel fine.
• Call your care team if you develop fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu, since this medicine can increase your risk of infection.

Alternatives

• Guselkumab
• Risankizumab
• Ustekinumab
• Secukinumab