What is Plaque Psoriasis | Signs & Symptoms | Taltz® (ixekizumab)

Home
For Healthcare Providers

Ask Lilly your questions!
We’re here to help.

Call:

(800) LillyRx

(800) 545-5979

What is plaque psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system and is the most common form of psoriasis. The overactive immune system causes skin cells to rapidly build up, forming psoriasis plaques. Why some people develop plaque psoriasis and others don’t isn’t fully known, but a family history and environmental factors are thought to play a role.

Common symptoms include:

Raised, red, silver, or flaky/scaly patches on your skin
Patches can be itchy and painful
Patches commonly appear on the knees, elbows, lower back, scalp and genitalia
Plaques may also appear on other areas of the body

Your treatment options

There are many treatments, so it’s important to talk with your doctor to find the one that’s right for you.

Some options for treatment include:

Topicals: Medicine used on the skin, such as a cream or lotion
Phototherapy: Medically supervised artificial light or sunlight therapy, which should be used consistently on the affected skin
Systemics: Medicine taken by mouth in liquid or pill form, or given by injection, which works throughout the body
Biologics: These are protein based medicines produced from living cells that target specific parts of the immune system

How does Taltz work for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis?

Taltz is a biologic that targets interleukin 17A (IL-17A), which is one protein in your body that plays a role in inflammation and skin plaque growth. Taltz works to help block IL-17A within your body.^*

^*The relationship between the mechanism of action and clinical outcomes has not been determined.

Purpose and Safety Summary

PURPOSE and SAFETY SUMMARY

Important Facts About Taltz^® (tȯl-ts). Taltz is a prescription medicine also known as ixekizumab.
Taltz is an injectable medicine used to treat adults:

With moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. It is for people who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or treatment using ultraviolet or UV light (phototherapy).
With active psoriatic arthritis.

Warnings

Taltz affects the immune system. It may increase your risk of infections, which can be serious. Do not use Taltz if you have any symptoms of infection, unless your doctor tells you to. If you have a symptom after starting Taltz, call your doctor right away.
Your doctor should check you for tuberculosis (TB) before you start Taltz, and watch you closely for signs of TB during and after treatment with Taltz.
If you have TB, or had it in the past, your doctor may treat you for it before you start Taltz.
Do not use Taltz if you have had a serious allergic reaction to ixekizumab or any other ingredient in Taltz , such as: swelling of your eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, feeling faint, throat or chest tightness, or skin rash. Get emergency help right away if you have any of these reactions. See the Medication Guide that comes with Taltz for a list of ingredients.
Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease) can start or get worse with Taltz use. Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms or if they get worse: stomach pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
You should not get live vaccines while taking Taltz. You should get the vaccines you need before you start Taltz.

Common side effects

The most common side effects of Taltz include:

Injection site reactions
Upper respiratory infections
Nausea
Fungal infections

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects.
You can report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before using

Before you use Taltz, review these questions with your doctor:
❑ Are you being treated for an infection?
❑ Do you have an infection that does not go away or keeps coming back?
❑ Do you have TB or have you been in close contact with someone with TB?
❑ Do you have possible symptoms of an infection such as fever, cough, sores, diarrhea, or other symptoms? Ask your doctor about other possible symptoms.
❑ Do you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?
Tell your doctor if:
❑ You need any vaccines or have had one recently.
❑ You are under age 18. Taltz has not been approved in people under 18 years of age.
❑ You take prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
❑ You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Taltz can harm an unborn baby.
❑ You are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if Taltz passes into breastmilk.

How to take

See the instructions for use that come with Taltz. There you will find information about how to store, prepare, and inject Taltz.

Learn more

For more information, call 1-800-545-5979 or go to taltz.com.
This summary provides basic information about taltz and is not comprehensive. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Be sure to talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider about Taltz and how to take it. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide if Taltz is right for you.
Taltz^® is a registered trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly & Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
C-IX-US-0368

Please click to access the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide. Please click to access Instructions for Use included with your device.