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Taltz

Generic name: ixekizumab [IX-ee-KIZ-ue-mab]
The brand names are: Taltz Autoinjector (80 mg/mL), Taltz Prefilled Syringe (80 mg/mL).
Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

What is Taltz?

Taltz (ixekizumab) is an injectable medication that is used in the treatment of the symptoms of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial joint spondyloarthritis, which are all autoimmune disorders. Taltz is effective in reducing inflammation, which can help alleviate the symptoms of these diseases.

Taltz is an antibody monoclonal that functions by binding to and neutralising the naturally occurring protein known as interleukin 17A (IL-17A). The protein is involved in inflammation and how the immune system reacts. When Taltz is able to bind with the protein, inflammation decreases, and it improves symptoms of plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and non-radiographic axial arthritis.

Who can use Taltz?

Taltz can be FDA-cleared to be used in treating:

  • Plaque psoriasis to patients aged 6 or older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. They may be candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
  • Psoriatic arthritis is suitable for adults suffering from active psoriatic arthritis.
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis for patients of adult age with the active condition of ankylosing spondylitis
  • Non-radiographic spondyloarthritis for adults who suffer from non-radiographic active axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with obvious signs of inflammation

Warnings

Infections: This medication affects the immune system. You could contract infections more frequently, even severe or fatal infections. Call your doctor when you experience an increase in temperature, chills, muscle pain, sweating or skin sores, weight loss, or shortness of breath. cough that's pink or red mucus, increased urination, or painful urinary tract.

Tuberculosis: The doctor might perform tests to ensure that you don't have tuberculosis or other infections.

Hypersensitivity: Serious hypersensitivity reactions are possible with this medicine. If an allergic reaction develops, discontinue treatment right away and start the appropriate treatment. Taltz is not advised for patients who have suffered prior severe hypersensitivity reactions to this drug.

The Immunization:  You should not take live vaccines when receiving treatment with this medication.

IBD is an inflammatory bowel disorder: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, with or without exacerbations, have been seen in the course of treatment using this medicine. Patients must be closely monitored whenever this medication is prescribed to patients suffering from IBD. If IBD develops, the proper medical treatment is taken to treat it.

Before you start taking this medicine

It is not recommended to take this medication if you suffer from an allergic reaction to ixekizumab or any inactive ingredient in it. To see the complete list of ingredients, visit: Taltz Ingredients.

To ensure that Taltz is suitable for you, inform your doctor if:

  • An ongoing or recently diagnosed infection
  • Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
  • Tuberculosis (or tuberculosis if you are in frequent contact with an individual who suffers from tuberculosis). tuberculosis (or if you have close contact with someone who has it).
  • If you recently received or are due to be given a vaccination,

Your doctor may conduct tests to ensure that you don't have tuberculosis or any other infection. Check that you're current with all the age-appropriate vaccines prior to when you begin treatment with this medication.

Pregnancy

Inform your doctor if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant. It's not clear whether Taltz may affect your baby's development. If you are expecting or get pregnant, you could be added to an ob-gyn registry to monitor how ixekizumab affects you and your baby. the baby. The aim of this registry would be to gather data on the health of both you and your child.

Breastfeeding

Inform your doctor if you are nursing or planning to breastfeed. It isn't known if the medicine is absorbed into breast milk or could cause harm to a nursing infant.

How to take Taltz?

Follow the exact dosage directed by your doctor. Follow the instructions on the prescription label. Do not take this medicine in greater or lesser amounts or for a longer period than prescribed.

Check all the information about your patient, including medication guides and instructions provided to you. Consult your physician or pharmacist if you have any concerns.

Taltz is an injection (liquid) that is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) by using a syringe with a prefilled filler or an autoinjector that is prefilled. It is possible to be taught how to inject at home. Do not inject yourself with the medicine if you do not know how to administer the injection.

Taltz instructions

  • The syringe with the prefilled fill or autoinjector out of the refrigerator.
  • Set it down on the floor without taking off the cap on the needle, and allow it to warm up until it is at room temperature about 30 minutes prior to being ready to inject the medicine. Do not inject the medicine if it's been frozen.
  • Don't attempt to warm it by heating it in the microwave, placing the medication in boiling water, letting it be exposed to sunlight, or any other means.
  • Make sure to not shake your syringe auto injector.
  • Always inspect the solution prior to injecting. Verify whether the expiration date hasn't expired and that the liquid is clear or a little yellow. The liquid should not have visible particles. Don't use an autoinjector or syringe in the event that it is broken or cracked, if it has frozen or expired, or if the liquid is cloudy or contains tiny particles.
  • Make use of each autoinjector or syringe only once, and inject all the solution into the autoinjector or syringe.
  • You can inject anywhere in the front of your legs (upper legs) or your abdomen (stomach) other than your navel, and the region of that is 1 in (2.5 millimetres) around the navel. If you have a person who is able to inject the medication, the back of your upper arm could be a suitable option. Choose a different spot every time you administer an injection.
  • Don't inject the same area twice in one row. Don't avoid injecting in an area in which the skin is sensitive, bruised, hard, or red, or if you suffer from scars or stretch marks.
  • Each single-use ink pen or prefilled syringe is intended for a single use only. Toss it away after just one use, even if there's still medicine after injecting the dose. Get rid of syringes that are no longer used and inject autoinjectors into containers that are puncture-resistant. Discuss with your physician or pharmacist how you can dispose of your puncture-resistant container.
  • Taltz cannot be utilised regularly. The initial dose is given in two injections simultaneously. After that, you will receive doses every 2 to 4 months.
  • The time that you get your shots will depend on the issue being treated. Follow your doctor's instructions for dosing with care.

For more specific instructions with diagrams and illustrations for every type of device, follow the following link: Taltz Instructions for Utilisation.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Plaque Psoriasis

  • 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) subcutaneously in Week 0, then 80 mg during Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, followed by 80 mg every four weeks.
  • Use: To treat patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from systemic therapy or phototherapy.

Usual Paediatric Dose for Plaque Psoriasis

  • Weight less than 25kg. Take 40 mg subcutaneously in Week 0, then 20 mg every four weeks thereafter.
  • Weight between 25 and 50kg. Subcutaneously, take 80 mg at Week 0, then 40 mg every four weeks thereafter.
  • A weight greater than 50kg. Take 160mg (two 20 mg doses) subcutaneously in Week 0. Followed by 80 mg every 4 weeks.
  • Use: To treat children ranging from 6 years old to under 18 years old with mild-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Usual Adult Dose for Psoriatic Arthritis

  • 160 mg (two injections of 80 mg) subcutaneously in Week 0, and then 80 mg every four weeks.
  • For patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis with co-existent plaque psoriasis that is moderate to severe, follow the prescribed dosing schedule for plaque psoriasis.
  • This drug is available as a stand-alone drug or in conjunction with a standard antirheumatic drug that modifies the disease (cDMARD) (e.g., methotrexate, for instance).
  • Use: To treat adults suffering from active psoriatic arthritis.

Usual Adult Dose for Ankylosing Spondylitis

  • 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) subcutaneously starting at Week 0, and then 80 mg every four weeks.

Usual Adult Dose for Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

  • 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) subcutaneously in Week 0, then 80 mg every four weeks.

Taltz are available in the form of:

Autoinjector: 80 mg/mL solution in a single-dose prefilled autoinjector.

Synthetic Syringe Prefilled The solution contains 80 mg/mL and is a single-dose syringe.

What happens If I miss a dose?

Utilise the dose you missed when you remember. Do not take your missed dose if it's close to the time of the next dose. Don't use any extra medication to replace the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.

What should be avoided?

Don't share this medication with anyone else, even if they share similar symptoms as you do.

Do not get any "live" vaccines while using this injection. The vaccine might not function in the same way during this period and might not completely safeguard you against disease. Measles is a live virus that includes rubella, mumps (MMR), polio, typhoid, rotavirus fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and the nasal influenza (influenza) vaccination.

Side effects of Taltz

Reaction to an allergen: Get immediate medical assistance if you exhibit symptoms or warning signs, such as chest tightness, rash, and breathing difficulties. Feeling like you could faint or have swelling on the eyelids, your face or lips, your mouth, throat, or tongue.

Taltz can cause other negative side effects that are serious:

See your doctor right away if you are suffering from:

  • The symptoms include sweating, fever, chills, muscle pain, and weight loss.
  • Diarrhoea (may appear bloody) stomach cramps, diarrhoea (may be bloody);
  • painful skin sores;
  • Cough, breathlessness, and a cough with pink or red mucus;
  • Sores or white patches of your throat or mouth (yeast disease also known as "thrush");
  • More frequent urination, pain, or a burning sensation when you urinate
  • Eyes swelling, redness, and drainage (which may be an indication of inflammation) or
  • Symptoms of fungal infections (rash or itching, red patches, cracking, burning skin, loss of hair).

Common Taltz side effects might include:

  • Redness or pain in the area where the medicine was injected;
  • nausea;
  • Acute ear infections;
  • symptoms of a cold, such as congestion, sneezing, and a sore throat.

This isn't an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drugs

Other medications may be incompatible with this medicine, such as medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, as well as vitamins and herbal products. Be sure to inform your health professionals about the medicines you take currently and all medicines that you decide to stop or begin taking.

It is essential to inform your physician if you take any of the following medications:

  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, and Teril)
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, and Sandimmune)
  • Quinidine (in Nuedexta)
  • Sirolimus (Rapamune)
  • Tacrolimus (Astagraf, Envarsus, and Prograf)
  • Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

Your doctor might need to adjust the dosage of your medications or observe your reaction to negative side effects. Other medications can interact with Taltz, so make sure you inform your doctor of any medications you're taking, even if they aren't listed in this list.