Tildrakizumab
Generic name: tildrakizumab [ TIL-dra-KIZ-ue-mab ]
Brand name: Ilumya
Dosage form: subcutaneous solution (100 mg/mL)
Drug class: Interleukin inhibitors
What is tildrakizumab?
Tildrakizumab is used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who may also receive phototherapy or other treatments for psoriasis.
Tildrakizumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Tildrakizumab side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:
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fever, chills, sore throat, feeling very tired;
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new or worsening diarrhea or stomach pain;
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mouth sores, red or swollen gums;
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pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or
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chest discomfort, wheezing, night sweats, cough, loss of appetite, weight loss.
Your treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.
Common side effects of tildrakizumab may include:
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bruising, swelling, warmth, redness, oozing, or bleeding where an injection was given;
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diarrhea; or
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cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
You may get infections more easily. Call your doctor if you have fever, chills, sweating, muscle pain, cough, shortness of breath, bloody mucus, weight loss, skin problems, diarrhea, stomach pain, or urination problems.
Before taking this medicine
You should not be treated with tildrakizumab if you are allergic to it.
Tildrakizumab affects your immune system. Tell your doctor if you have any signs of infection such as fever, chills, sweating, muscle pain, cough, shortness of breath, bloody mucus, weight loss, skin problems, diarrhea, stomach pain, or urination problems.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
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an active, chronic, or recent infection;
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tuberculosis, been exposed to tuberculosis, or if you recently traveled; or
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recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccine.
Make sure you are current on all vaccines before you start using tildrakizumab.
It is not known if tildrakizumab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using tildrakizumab.
How is tildrakizumab given?
Before you use tildrakizumab, your doctor may test you for tuberculosis or other infections.
Tildrakizumab is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
For the first two doses, tildrakizumab is usually given every 4 weeks. Later doses are then given once every 12 weeks. Your doctor will determine your treatment schedule.
Tildrakizumab dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Plaque Psoriasis:
100 mg subcutaneously at Weeks 0 and 4, and every 12 weeks thereafter
Comments:
-Evaluate patients for tuberculosis (TB) infection prior to initiating therapy.
Use: For adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your tildrakizumab injection.
What happens if I overdose?
In a medical setting an overdose would be treated quickly.
What should I avoid while receiving tildrakizumab?
Avoid receiving a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with tildrakizumab. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).
What other drugs will affect tildrakizumab?
Other drugs may affect tildrakizumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Popular FAQ
Skyrizi vs Ilumya. What’s the difference?
There are a number of differences between Skyrizi and Ilumya:
- Ilumya was FDA approved in 2018 and Skyrizi was FDA approved in 2019.
- Ilyumya is a brand name for tildrakizumab and Skyrizi is a brand name for risankizumab
- The dose of Skyrizi is 150mg, but because each injection only contains 75mg, two injections must be given per dose. The dose of Ilumya is 100mg, and each injection contains 100mg therefore only one injection needs to be given each time
- Ilumya needs to be administered by a healthcare professional; however, patients prescribed Skyrizi can be taught how to self-administer it at home
- Skyrizi is also approved to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Does Ilumya treat psoriatic arthritis?
Ilumya is not approved by the FDA to treat psoriatic arthritis, but studies for this use are ongoing. Illumya is only approved to treat plaque psoriasis at this time. Your doctor may decide, based on their medical judgement, to prescribe Ilumya off-label for other conditions. Continue reading
How does Ilumya compare to other treatments?
There have been few comparative trials comparing Ilumya to other biologics used for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis. The joint AAD and NPF guidelines conclude that all 11 biologics have grade A evidence for efficacy as monotherapy in plaque psoriasis and a person’s medical and social should be taken into account when choosing a biologic. Certain biologics may be preferred in people who are overweight because they use weight-based dosing (such as infliximab or Stelara), whereas others may be preferred in those with poor compliance because they are dosed every 12 weeks (such as Stelara, Skyrizi or Ilumya). Continue reading
How long does it take Ilumya to work?
It takes approximately 12 weeks for Ilumya to start working with nearly 60% of people experiencing a 75% reduction in the severity of their psoriasis within that time; however, it may take over a year for the full benefits to be seen. Continue reading
How does Ilumya affect my immune system?
Ilumya affects the immune system by blocking the effects of IL-23, a proinflammatory cytokine that helps to regulate inflammation associated with autoimmune conditions, such as psoriasis) as well as bacterial and viral infections. By blocking the effects of IL-23, Ilumya increases your risk of developing infections and may cause the reactivation of latent tuberculosis; however, the risk of serious infections is low (0.3%) and the same as placebo. Continue reading
More FAQ
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- Drug class: interleukin inhibitors
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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