Skyrizi (Risankizumab): Uses & Side Effects

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This guide cannot diagnose a condition or recommend a personal treatment plan. Discuss medical questions with a qualified professional.

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Skyrizi® is a brand of risankizumab. This injection treats symptoms of psoriasis like swelling, itching and rashes. It also treats psoriatic arthritis and Crohn's disease by reducing inflammation. This medication is usually given by a healthcare provider in a clinic setting or they’ll teach you how to give yourself the injection at home.

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RISANKIZUMAB (RIS an KIZ ue mab) treats autoimmune conditions, such as psoriasis, arthritis, Crohn disease, and ulcerative colitis. It works by slowing down an overactive immune system. It is a monoclonal antibody.

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This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Skyrizi

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

Hepatic disease
Immune system problems
Infection, such as tuberculosis (TB), bacterial, fungal or viral infections
Recent or upcoming vaccine
An unusual or allergic reaction to risankizumab, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
Breast-feeding

This medication is injected into a vein or under the skin. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting. It may also be given at home. If you get this medication at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give it. Use exactly as directed. Take it as directed on the prescription label. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

If you use a pen, be sure to take off the outer needle cover before using the dose.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or care team to get one.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

This medication comes with INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE. Ask your pharmacist for directions on how to use this medication. Read the information carefully. Talk to your pharmacist or care team if you have questions.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

It is important not to miss any doses. Talk to your care team about what to do if you miss a dose.

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

Live vaccines

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You will be tested for tuberculosis (TB) before you start this medication. If your care team prescribes any medication for TB, you should start taking the TB medication before starting this medication. Make sure to finish the full course of TB medication.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medication can decrease the response to a vaccine. If you need to get vaccinated, tell your care team if you have received this medication. Extra booster doses may be needed. Talk to your care team to see if a different vaccination schedule is needed.

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
Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

Fatigue
Headache
Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
Runny or stuffy nose
Sore throat

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. Protect from light. Keep it in the original carton until you are ready to take it. See product for storage information. Each product may have different instructions. Remove the dose from the carton about 30 to 45 minutes before it is time for you to take it. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
If you cannot return the medication, ask your pharmacist or care team how to get rid of this medication safely.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.

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Related questions

01How does Skyrizi compare to Humira?

Both Skyrizi and Humira are injections used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn’s disease in adults. Humira is also prescribed to treat other conditions in adults, such as rheumatoid arthritis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and uveitis. In addition, Humira may be used in children to treat certain conditions. Skyrizi and Humira each contain different active ingredients. Skyrizi contains the active ingredient risankizumab-rzaa. Humira contains the active ingredient adalimumab. Both drugs come as a liquid solution inside prefilled syringes, prefilled pens, and a single-dose vial for injection. Skyrizi also comes as a liquid solution in a cartridge for use with an on-body injector. If you’d like to know about the differences between Skyrizi and Humira, talk with your doctor.

Source: www.healthline.com ↗

02What Do I Need to Know?

If your child is 6 years or older and has plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, Skyrizi shots are given using either a prefilled syringe or a prefilled pen at weeks 0 and 4 and then every 12 weeks. The dose depends on your child's weight: 55 milligrams if under 40 kilograms and 150 milligrams if 40 kilograms or more. You and a caregiver should receive training before giving injections under the skin. In children aged 6 to less than 10 years, Skyrizi should be given by an adult. For children 10 or older, an adult should give or supervise each dose. Do not use Skyrizi if you are allergic to risankizumab-rzaa, as serious allergic reactions can occur. Skyrizi may lower your body’s ability to fight infections. Your health care provider will check for infections, including tuberculosis, before you start treatment and may test during and after treatment. Avoid live vaccines right before, during, or right after using Skyrizi. It is not known whether Skyrizi can harm a fetus or pass into breast milk. Talk to your health care provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.

Source: www.webmd.com ↗

03How long does Skyrizi stay in your system?

The half-life of Skyrizi is about 28 days when it’s used for plaque psoriasis and 21 days when it’s used for Crohn’s disease. It typically takes about Skyrizi is an effective treatment option for plaque psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and psoriatic arthritis. Success rates may vary depending on the condition being treated and individual factors, such as any other health conditions you have. For example, in clinical trials, 73% of people using Skyrizi for plaque psoriasis saw 90% clearer skin at 16 weeks of treatment. Most of those people continued to see 90% clearer skin at 12 months. Also, more than half of people using Skyrizi for psoriatic arthritis in clinical trials reported at least a 20% improvement in symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness after 24 weeks of treatment. If you have questions about Skyrizi’s effectiveness, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Skyrizi is used to treat certain inflammatory conditions, such as plaque psoriasis and Crohn’s disease. The drug begins to work after your first dose, but the amount of time it takes for you to notice symptom relief may depend on the condition you’re using Skyrizi to treat. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have additional questions about Skyrizi. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com ↗

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