Key takeaways:
Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) comes in a prefilled syringe, an injection pen, and an on-body injector for home use. You can inject all forms of Skyrizi into your stomach or thigh. A caregiver can also inject the syringe or injection pen into the back of your upper arm.
You should rotate injection sites with each dose of Skyrizi. When you administer a dose, don’t forget to wash your hands, clean the injection site, and place the used device into a sharps container.
Keep Skyrizi refrigerated until you’re ready to use it, even when traveling. You should let it come to room temperature before injecting it, but don’t let it sit out for longer than recommended.
There are ways to save on Skyrizi. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card can help you access Skyrizi for as little as $0 per dose. A patient assistance program is also available.
Save on related medications
Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) is an injectable medication that treats inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis in adults. You’ll likely receive your first few doses from a healthcare professional as either an injection under the skin or an infusion into a vein. But after that, you can give yourself Skyrizi injections at home. Your prescriber will make sure you’ve been trained to inject the medication on your own, but it’s common to have trouble remembering all the steps.
Here, we’ll review six tips for injecting Skyrizi, including how to use the Skyrizi on-body injector.
1. Where to inject Skyrizi
You can inject yourself with Skyrizi in two places: the front of your thigh and your stomach. Either location is fine, but stomach injections seem to be less painful for most people. If you’re injecting into your stomach, you’ll want to stay at least 2 inches away from your belly button.
Avoid injecting into skin that’s bruised or broken, as well as any area that clothing may rub against, such as where your waistband typically sits. This helps lessen the chance of irritation at the injection site. You should also be sure to rotate where you inject Skyrizi with each dose.
Good to know: If someone else is injecting Skyrizi for you, they can also use the back of your upper arm as an injection site. But you can’t inject into this area safely on your own. And you shouldn’t use the on-body injector there, either.
2. How to inject Skyrizi, including how to use the on-body injector
You’ll inject Skyrizi under the skin (subcutaneously) at home. It comes in a prefilled syringe, a prefilled injection pen, and an on-body injector. Which form of Skyrizi you’re prescribed may depend on the condition you’re treating. For example, the on-body injector comes only in the Skyrizi doses recommended for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
All forms of Skyrizi are given as a single dose, so you’ll use a device once and then throw it away (in a sharps container). The injection process differs slightly between Skyrizi dosage forms.
Getting started
Start with these five steps for all forms of Skyrizi:
Remove your Skyrizi dose from the fridge and let it come to room temperature before injecting it. The prefilled syringe takes 15-30 minutes to warm up. The injection pen takes 30-90 minutes, and the on-body injector takes 45-90 minutes. Don’t let your dose sit out for longer than recommended. Be sure to keep it in its original carton while it comes to room temperature. Do not try to warm it up faster by putting it in the microwave or using hot water.
Gather alcohol wipes, your Skyrizi dose, and a sharps container on a clean workspace. A cotton ball and bandage are also good to have on hand.
Inspect your Skyrizi dose before injecting it, but be careful not to remove any caps or press any buttons on the device. First, check to make sure the expiration date hasn’t passed. Then, make sure the liquid inside is clear to slightly yellow, and doesn’t have any large particles floating in it. You’ll also want to make sure it isn’t frozen. It’s normal to see a few bubbles, but it shouldn’t be foamy. If you see any issues, don’t inject the dose. Get a new dose from the fridge or contact your pharmacy for next steps. You can also contact Skyrizi’s manufacturer directly for help.
Using antibacterial soap, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, then pat them dry with a clean towel.
Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe, using a circular motion, and allow the skin to dry.
Using the Skyrizi on-body injector
Use the following seven steps for the Skyrizi on-body injector:
Start by removing the medication cartridge from the plastic tray. Wipe the small end of the cartridge (including the center) with an alcohol swab.
Insert the cartridge (small end down) into the injector. Push down until you hear a click. Then, close the gray door on the injector. (You should feel it securely snap shut.) You must use the on-body injector within 5 minutes of placing the cartridge inside it.
Turn the injector over and use the green pull tabs to expose the adhesive and activate the device. Be sure to remove both the large and small sections. At this point, the light on the front of the device should flash blue. This means it’s ready to inject.
Place the on-body injector on the injection site, which should be clean and dry. If you’re injecting into your stomach, sit up straight and pull your skin tight to create a flat surface for the device to stick to. Once the device is on, you shouldn’t move it to a new location.
Make sure the light is still blue. Then, press the gray button on the device until you hear it click. The light should start flashing green, and you may feel a pinch as the needle comes out.
Once the dose is complete, the device will beep and the green light will stop flashing. This takes about 5 minutes or so. It’s fine to walk around or bend over while the injector is working.
When the injection is finished, grab a corner of the adhesive to peel the injector off your skin. Don’t touch the back of the injector. It’s normal to see a few small drops of liquid on your skin after you remove it. Check the front of the injector to make sure the white plunger is filling the window and the green light is off. This is how you can confirm you’ve gotten your full dose.
At any point during this process, if you see a red light or the device isn’t working properly, gently remove it from your skin and call the Skyrizi helpline at 1-866-759-7494.
Good to know: You should keep electronics, including cell phones, at least 12 inches away from the Skyrizi on-body injector during the injection process. They may interfere with how it works.
Injecting the Skyrizi prefilled syringe
Use the following four steps to inject the Skyrizi prefilled syringe:
Pull the needle cap off the prefilled syringe to expose the needle. Be careful not to touch the needle.
Pinch an area of cleaned skin and insert the needle at a 45-degree angle with a quick, dart-like motion.
Push the blue plunger down slowly until the syringe is empty, then pull the needle out of your skin.
Once the needle is out, release the plunger to activate the needle guard. Place the used syringe into a sharps container.
You may need to inject multiple syringes to get your full dose. In this case, you should give the injections back to back. Just be sure to choose a different location for each dose.
Using the Skyrizi injection pen
Use the following five steps for the Skyrizi injection pen:
Gently pull the gray cap off the end of the injection pen and throw it away. This will expose the white needle cover.
Pinch an area of cleaned skin and firmly press the white needle cover against it at a 90-degree angle.
Press the green activator button to start your dose. You’ll likely hear a click when the pen starts working. Keep the pen firmly pressed against your skin until you hear a second click or the yellow indicator fills the window of the pen. This should take about 15 seconds.
After the injection is finished, pull up on the pen to remove the needle from your skin. You’ll hear a third click as the white needle sleeve covers the needle.
Place the used syringe into a sharps container.
Final steps
After injecting Skyrizi, you can apply pressure to the injection site with a cotton ball if needed. But don’t rub or massage the area. A small amount of bleeding is normal. Apply a bandage if needed.
Once your dose is complete, place the whole device into a sharps container. You don’t need to put the cap back on or take the cartridge out of the on-body injector. Just place the used device directly into your sharps container.
3. How to reduce pain when injecting Skyrizi
Skyrizi injections are usually well tolerated, but injection site reactions are possible. Here are some ways to help reduce injection-related discomfort:
Allow your Skyrizi dose to come to room temperature before injecting it, as cold injections tend to hurt more.
Use ice or a cold pack to numb the injection site before an injection.
Let the injection site dry completely after you wipe it with alcohol.
Rotate injection sites with each dose.
Don’t inject into skin that’s bruised, broken, or irritated.
Slow down how fast you push in the plunger if you’re using a prefilled syringe.
Ask your prescriber about trying other dosage forms to see if they reduce injection pain.
If your Skyrizi injections are still painful, talk with your healthcare team. They can make sure you’re injecting the medication correctly and help you make changes if needed.
4. Store Skyrizi in the refrigerator
You should keep your Skyrizi doses in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them. Avoid storing Skyrizi in the door of the fridge or in an area where it could freeze. You shouldn’t use Skyrizi if it freezes, even after it thaws.
Unlike some other injectable medications, you can’t keep Skyrizi at room temperature for an extended period of time. So be sure it goes directly into the fridge when it arrives at your home.
Remember: Allowing your Skyrizi dose to warm up at room temperature before you inject it is OK. But don’t wait longer than the maximum recommended time. That’s 30 minutes for the prefilled syringe and 90 minutes for the injection pen and on-body injector. Set an alarm for yourself when you take it out of the fridge so you don’t forget.
5. How to store Skyrizi when traveling
If you’re traveling with Skryizi, you must keep it cold. You can do this by packing your dose in a cooler with ice packs. Keep your dose in its original box, and wrap it in a towel or bubble wrap so it won’t freeze or get wet. Make sure to switch out the ice packs as they thaw during your travels, if needed. Once you reach your destination, put Skyrizi directly into the fridge.
It’s best to keep your medication in your personal item or carry-on if you’re flying. That way it won’t get lost and you’ll have better control of the temperature. Don’t forget to pack your injection supplies, too. And be sure to check the Transportation Security Administration’s website for the latest on traveling with medications.
6. What to do if you miss a dose of Skyrizi
You’ll only inject Skyrizi once every 8 or 12 weeks (2 or 3 months) after the first few doses. So it can be hard to remember when your doses are due. A medication reminder app or calendar alerts can help. But if you miss an injection, check with your healthcare team about the best way to proceed.
You might also get sidetracked after taking a dose from the fridge to warm up, and leave it out for longer than recommended. This is a common scenario and can happen to anyone. But if you leave a dose out of the fridge for too long, don’t inject it. First, contact your pharmacy or the Skyrizi helpline. They can let you know if it’s safe to use or if you need a fresh dose.
How to save on your Skyrizi prescription
There are ways to save on Skyrizi, which is only available as a reference (brand-name) medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between patient assistance programs and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription:
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 per dose of Skyrizi using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Save with a patient assistance program. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Skyrizi’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.
Frequently asked questions
Some Skyrizi side effects, such as injection site reactions, are short-lived and go away within a few days of your injection or infusion. Others, such as an increased risk of infection, can affect you throughout treatment. Your prescriber can let you know what to expect (in the short and long term) while you’re receiving Skyrizi.
Skyrizi should only come out of the fridge shortly before you inject it. This allows the medication to come to room temperature, making the injection more comfortable. Once you take it out, you should use the prefilled syringe within 30 minutes. The injection pen and on-body injector should be used within 90 minutes of taking them out of the fridge. If it’s been longer, contact your pharmacist or prescriber for guidance.
You shouldn’t inject Skyirizi earlier than scheduled unless your prescriber recommends it. Doing so could raise Skyrizi levels in your body and increase your risk of side effects. If issues arise that could interfere with your normal dosage schedule, contact your prescriber for guidance. Don’t change the timing of your doses on your own.
Some Skyrizi side effects, such as injection site reactions, are short-lived and go away within a few days of your injection or infusion. Others, such as an increased risk of infection, can affect you throughout treatment. Your prescriber can let you know what to expect (in the short and long term) while you’re receiving Skyrizi.
Skyrizi should only come out of the fridge shortly before you inject it. This allows the medication to come to room temperature, making the injection more comfortable. Once you take it out, you should use the prefilled syringe within 30 minutes. The injection pen and on-body injector should be used within 90 minutes of taking them out of the fridge. If it’s been longer, contact your pharmacist or prescriber for guidance.
You shouldn’t inject Skyirizi earlier than scheduled unless your prescriber recommends it. Doing so could raise Skyrizi levels in your body and increase your risk of side effects. If issues arise that could interfere with your normal dosage schedule, contact your prescriber for guidance. Don’t change the timing of your doses on your own.
The bottom line
Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) is an injectable medication that helps manage symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis. It comes in a prefilled syringe, injection pen, and on-body injector.
You can inject all forms of Skyrizi into your stomach or thigh. Or a caregiver can inject the syringe or injection pen into the back of your upper arm. Be sure to change where you inject Skyrizi with each dose. And avoid skin that’s bruised, injured, or irritated. Follow the injection steps for your dosage form carefully. Don’t forget to wash your hands, clean the injection site, and place the device into a sharps container after you’ve used it.
You should refrigerate Skyrizi at all times, even if you’re traveling. If a dose freezes or isn’t kept cold, you shouldn’t inject it. Your healthcare team can answer any questions you have about storing or injecting Skyrizi.
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References
AbbVie. (2026). Instructions for use: Skyrizi on-body injector (risankizumab-rzaa).
AbbVie. (2026). Skyrizi - risankizumab-rzaa, Skyrizi - risankizumab-rzaa injection, Skyrizi - risankizumab-rzaa injection, solution [package insert].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About handwashing.
Skyrizi. (2023). Quick tips for self-injecting at home. AbbVie.
St. Clair-Jones, A., et al. (2020). Understanding and minimising injection-site pain following subcutaneous administration of biologics: A narrative review. Rheumatology and Therapy.
Usach, I., et al. (2019). Subcutaneous injection of drugs: Literature review of factors influencing pain sensation at the injection site. Advances in Therapy.
