Taltz
Taltz (ixekizumab) is an injection that's given under the skin. It helps treat inflammatory conditions, including plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and some types of arthritis in the spine. This medication works as an interleukin antagonist to lessen inflammation in the body. You inject Taltz (ixekizumab) once a month using the prefilled syringe or autoinjector. The dose depends on the health problem you're treating. Side effects include upper respiratory infections. You also might feel pain or have redness around the injection area. Taltz (ixekizumab) is a brand-name medication.
What is Taltz (ixekizumab)?
What is Taltz (ixekizumab) used for?
Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in people 6 years and older
Psoriatic arthritis in adults
Ankylosing spondylitis in adults
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults
How Taltz (ixekizumab) works
Taltz (ixekizumab) is a type of monoclonal antibody called an interleukin antagonist.
It attaches to proteins in your immune system called interleukin-17 (IL-17). These proteins play a role in causing inflammation in the body.
By attaching to IL-17, Taltz (ixekizumab) blocks the proteins from working. This helps lower inflammation related to psoriasis and some types of arthritis.
Drug Facts
More on Taltz (ixekizumab) essentials
What are the side effects of Taltz (ixekizumab)?
Common Side Effects
- Reaction at the injection site (e.g., redness, pain; 17%)
- Upper respiratory tract infections (14%)
Other Side Effects
- Nausea
- Fungal infection
Serious Side Effects
- Serious allergic reaction: trouble breathing; hives; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Infection: fever; cough; trouble breathing; diarrhea; weakness; night sweats; chills; scaly, itchy, or burning skin; yellowish patches in the mouth; stringy eye discharge
- Stomach problems: severe stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation that doesn't get better, bloody stools
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Dry, itchy, scaly patches of skin that blister or peel
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
- Sudden or severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Nausea
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
Pros and cons of Taltz (ixekizumab)
Pros
Generally given once a month (might need some starter doses)
Available as a prefilled syringe or autoinjector for easier use
Can inject at home after a healthcare professional trains you (for most people)
Cons
Only given as an injection under the skin
Raises the risk of infections
Might cause flare-ups in people with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
Pharmacist tips for Taltz (ixekizumab)
Put reminders on your calendar for your Taltz (ixekizumab) injections. In general, it's injected every 4 weeks. For adults with plaque psoriasis, you start off with injections every 2 weeks for a few months before you go to every 4 weeks. If you have questions about your dosing schedule, talk to your care team.
If you miss a dose of Taltz (ixekizumab), inject it as soon as you remember. Then, you can continue with your usual dosing schedule.
Call your care team if you think you have an infection while taking Taltz (ixekizumab). This medication can make it harder for your body to fight it. Your care team can see if the infection needs to get treated. If the infection gets serious or if treatment doesn't help, you might need to stop Taltz (ixekizumab) until you get better.
Before getting any vaccines, tell the healthcare professional that you're taking Taltz (ixekizumab). Most vaccines are okay to get while you're taking this medication. But others, like live vaccines, might not be. The healthcare professional can check to make sure the vaccine is safe for you.
If you're pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your prescriber. They can help explain the risks and benefits of taking Taltz (ixekizumab). It's not known how safe it is to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. Your prescriber can help you decide the safest option for you and your baby.
Tips for how to use and how to inject Taltz (ixekizumab):
Make sure you know how to use and inject Taltz (ixekizumab). Your care team will train you before they let you do it on your own at home. But also read the directions for the autoinjector or prefilled syringe (whichever one you have). Ask your care team if you have any questions on how to use this medication.
How to store Taltz (ixekizumab): Keep the medication in the refrigerator, but be careful not to freeze it. You can also keep it at room temperature up to 86ºF for up to 5 days. Write down the date you took it out of the fridge to help you remember. Once it reaches room temperature, don't put it back in the refrigerator. Keep the medication in its carton to protect it from light.
When you're ready for your Taltz (ixekizumab) injection: Take a prefilled syringe or autoinjector out of the carton. Lay it on a flat surface to warm up to room temperature. This should take about 30 minutes. Don't try to warm it up any other way, like using a microwave or running under hot water. Don't shake the medication either. This can damage it.
Right before you inject Taltz (ixekizumab): Always check that the medication inside prefilled syringe or autoinjector. It should be clear and colorless to slightly yellow. Don't use it if it's cloudy or discolored. Also don't use it if it has particles in it. Use a new one, or call your prescriber or pharmacist for a replacement if needed.
Where to inject Taltz (ixekizumab): Inject under the skin into your thigh or stomach (at least 1 inch away from your belly button). You can also ask someone to help inject the medication into the back of your upper arm. Be sure to choose a different spot for every injection. Also don't inject into any area that's red, bruised, scaly, tender, or hard. This can help prevent skin irritation.
How to inject Taltz (ixekizumab) using the autoinjector: Take off the base cap and hold the clear base flat against your skin at the injection site. Then, unlock it and press the green injection button. You'll hear a click when your injection starts. Keep holding the autoinjector in place until you hear a second click. This should be about 10 seconds later, telling you the injection is done. You should see the gray plunger through the clear base.
How to inject Taltz (ixekizumab) using the prefilled syringe: Carefully pull the cap off the needle. Gently pinch and hold a fold of skin at the injection site. Then, insert the needle at a 45-degree angle. Let go of your skin, and slowly push the plunger on the syringe all the way down to inject the medication. You should see the green plunger rod show up inside the syringe when the injection is done. Then, gently remove the needle from your skin.
How to throw away Taltz (ixekizumab) after each injection: Place used autoinjectors and prefilled syringes in a sharps container. You can also use a heavy-duty plastic container like an empty milk carton or laundry detergent bottle. Don't throw them away into your trash can. This helps keep you and others safe from needle sticks.
Frequently asked questions about Taltz (ixekizumab)
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What are the risks and warnings for Taltz (ixekizumab)?
Taltz (ixekizumab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of infection
Risk factors: Active, chronic, or recurrent infection
Taltz (ixekizumab) can make it harder for your body to fight off germs. This can raise your risk of getting a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Examples include upper respiratory tract infections, pink eye, and oral thrush. Sometimes, infections can become serious.
Before starting Taltz (ixekizumab), you'll need to get tested for tuberculosis (TB). This is because it's possible for the medication to make an old TB infection come back. Don't take Taltz (ixekizumab) if you currently have TB. If you have or have had TB, you might need to get treated for it before you start Taltz (ixekizumab).
Call a healthcare professional if you think you have an infection while taking Taltz (ixekizumab). Look out for a fever, cough, trouble breathing, weakness, night sweats, and chills. Your care team can check to see if you have an infection. If you do, you might have to stop taking Taltz (ixekizumab) until you get better.
Caution when getting vaccines
It's best to be up to date on all your vaccines before you start Taltz (ixekizumab). If you need to get one during treatment, tell the healthcare professional you're taking Taltz (ixekizumab). They can make sure the vaccine is safe for you to get.
You should avoid live vaccines while you're taking Taltz (ixekizumab). It's not known if these types of vaccines are safe during treatment. Examples of live vaccines include MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine) and FluMist (nasal spray flu vaccine).
Eczema-like skin reaction
Some people who took Taltz (ixekizumab) had severe skin reactions that looked like eczema. This can look like dry, itchy, inflamed, and red skin. Sometimes, it can be small, itchy blisters on the palm of your hands or the bottom of your feet. This has happened from a few days to months after the first dose of Taltz (ixekizumab).
Talk to your prescriber if you have unusual changes in your skin while taking Taltz (ixekizumab). They can help you manage this side effect. It might mean taking a break from the medication until the skin problem goes away.
Allergic reaction
It's possible to have a serious allergic reaction to Taltz (ixekizumab). These allergic reactions can include swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. It can also look like trouble breathing, hives, or any other sign of anaphylaxis. If you have an allergic reaction to Taltz (ixekizumab) at any time, get medical help right away.
Inflammatory bowel disease
People treated with Taltz (ixekizumab) might be at a higher risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In studies, some people who took this medication had new or worsening IBD (flare-ups).
Before you start Taltz (ixekizumab), tell your prescriber if you have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Let your care team know if you have severe stomach pain or bloody stools while taking Taltz (ixekizumab). Also tell them if you have diarrhea or constipation that doesn't get better. These could be signs of IBD.
Taltz (ixekizumab) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Taltz (ixekizumab)
Taltz (ixekizumab) is given as an injection under the skin. It's injected into the stomach, thighs, or back of the upper arms.
The dose depends on the inflammatory condition you're treating.
Plaque psoriasis
Age 18 years and older: The typical starting dose is 160 mg as a single dose, then 80 mg every 2 weeks for 12 weeks. After that, the typical maintenance dose is 80 mg every 4 weeks.
Age 6 to under 18 years: The dose is based on your child's weight.
Weigh greater than 110 lbs: The typical dose is 160 mg as a single dose, then 80 mg every 4 weeks.
Weigh 55 to 110 lbs: The typical dose is 80 mg as a single dose, then 40 mg every 4 weeks.
Weigh less than 55 lbs: The typical dose is 40 mg as a single dose, then 20 mg every 4 weeks. A trained healthcare professional will help inject the medication.
Psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis
Age 18 years and older: The typical dose is 160 mg as a single dose, then 80 mg every 4 weeks.
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
Age 18 years and older: The typical dose is 80 mg every 4 weeks.
More on Taltz (ixekizumab) dosage forms
What are alternatives to Taltz (ixekizumab)?
Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in people 6 years and older
Psoriatic arthritis in adults
Ankylosing spondylitis in adults
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults
Plaque psoriasis (PsO) in people 6 years and older
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in people 2 years and older
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) in adults
Moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in adults
Enthesitis-related arthritis in children 4 years and older
Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis
Active psoriatic arthritis
Moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC)
Moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease (CD)
What is the latest news about Taltz (ixekizumab)?
Taltz (ixekizumab) images
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References
Best studies we foundEli Lilly and Company. (2021). Instructions for use: How to use the Taltz prefilled syringe.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2023). Instructions for use: Taltz® [tol-t-s] (ixekizumab) injection for subcutaneous use - autoinjector.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2024). Taltz- ixekizumab injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Maneiro, J. R., et al. (2025). Risk of malignancy related to ixekizumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis or axial spondyloarthropathy: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology.
St Clair-Jones, A., et al. (2020). Understanding and minimising injection-site pain following subcutaneous administration of biologics: A narrative review. Rheumatology and Therapy.
Zenobia, C., et al. (2015). Basic biology and role of interleukin-17 in immunity and inflammation. Periodontology 2000.
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