7 Taltz Side Effects and Ways to Manage Them

Taltz (ixekizumab) is an injectable medication used to treat several autoimmune conditions. These include plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Like all medications, Taltz can cause side effects, ranging from mild to severe.

Many Taltz side effects can be managed at home, but some may require medical care. Knowing what to expect can help you recognize side effects early and manage them safely.

Taltz side effects at a glance

Taltz side effects can range from mild injection site irritation to serious infections. Here’s a summary of Taltz side effects reported during clinical trials.

1. Injection site reactions

Injection site reactions are among the most common Taltz side effects. Symptoms may include temporary redness or pain where you inject Taltz. To help reduce discomfort:

• Let your Taltz syringe or pen come to room temperature before injecting it.

• Change injection sites for each dose.

• Avoid injecting into irritated or damaged skin.

• Apply a cool compress after the injection to ease redness or swelling.

Injection site reactions should start to improve within 24 hours. But in some cases, symptoms may signal a serious reaction. Get medical attention right away if you experience:

• Symptoms that don’t improve after 24 hours or continue getting worse

• Fever

• Skin blisters

• Shortness of breath

• Swelling of your face, lips, or tongue

• Hives

• Severe nausea or vomiting

These symptoms could indicate a severe allergic reaction or another serious side effect. Both require prompt treatment.

2. Nausea

Some people experience nausea while using Taltz. This side effect is generally mild and should improve as your body adjusts to treatment.

Eating smaller meals, avoiding greasy or spicy foods, and staying hydrated may help manage nausea. Crackers, bland foods, and ginger tea can also help settle your stomach.

If nausea is severe or persistent, or affects your ability to eat or drink, tell your prescriber. They may recommend tips or medications to help manage your symptoms.

3. Increased risk of infections

Taltz affects your immune system, which can increase your risk of infections. Infections reported during clinical trials included upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold. Pink eye and fungal infections such as oral thrush and ringworm can also occur. More serious bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can also happen. But they’re less common.

Contact a healthcare professional right away if you develop any of these symptoms:

• Fever or flu-like symptoms

• Cough, chest symptoms, or trouble breathing

• Skin that becomes warm, red, painful, or blistered

• White patches in the mouth or other signs of a fungal infection

Your healthcare team may recommend avoiding Taltz if you have an active infection. It’s important to tell them if you have a history of recurring infections or tuberculosis.

4. Changes in blood cell counts

Taltz can sometimes affect blood cell counts, including lowering neutrophil levels. Neutrophils are white blood cells that help your body fight infections. Lower numbers of platelets (cells that help your blood clot) are also possible.

In many cases, these changes are mild and don’t cause symptoms. But lower neutrophil levels can raise the risk of infection. And lower platelet levels can increase the risk of bleeding. So your healthcare team may monitor your blood cell counts during treatment.

Contact your healthcare team if you notice symptoms of an infection (fever, chills) or signs of unusual bleeding (easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding that’s difficult to stop).

5. Hypersensitivity reactions

Hypersensitivity reactions to Taltz are uncommon but can happen. These include angioedema (swelling under the skin) and severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis. Symptoms may include:

• Hives

• Facial swelling

• Swelling of the lips and tongue

• Trouble breathing

• Dizziness

These reactions can happen shortly after an injection or later during treatment. Severe reactions require emergency care. Stop using Taltz and seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

6. Severe skin reactions

Severe skin reactions are rare but can be serious. These include widespread rash, blistering skin, and painful skin irritation.

Tell your healthcare team if you notice new or worsening skin symptoms, especially if they spread quickly or are accompanied by fever or blistering. They may recommend stopping Taltz temporarily or permanently.

7. Increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease

Taltz may increase the risk of IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In some cases, it may worsen existing IBD symptoms.

Symptoms to watch for include:

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

• Bloody stools

• Weight loss

• Ongoing digestive issues

Tell your healthcare team if you have a history of IBD before starting Taltz. Contact your prescriber if you develop new or worsening gastrointestinal symptoms during treatment.

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Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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