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[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · Class

# Interleukin inhibitors

Biologics that block one interleukin (IL-1, IL-6, IL-12/23 or IL-17) or its receptor, chosen according to the cytokine that drives each disease.

Updated 2026-11-01

## What they are

Each drug neutralises one cytokine pathway: anakinra blocks the IL-1 receptor (autoinflammatory syndromes, rheumatoid arthritis), tocilizumab the IL-6 receptor (rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, cytokine release syndrome), ustekinumab the p40 subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23 (psoriasis, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis) and secukinumab IL-17A (psoriasis and spondyloarthritis).

## Mechanism of action

IL-1 and IL-6 drive fever, the acute-phase response and joint inflammation; IL-12 and IL-23 steer T helper cells towards Th1 and Th17 profiles, and IL-17 from Th17 cells recruits neutrophils into skin, joints and entheses. Blocking the right cytokine or its receptor quiets the disease while leaving other immune pathways working.

Target: Interleukins IL-1, IL-6, IL-12/IL-23 and IL-17A, or their receptors

## Key points

- All raise the risk of serious infections; latent tuberculosis is looked for before starting and live vaccines are avoided.
- IL-17 inhibitors (secukinumab) can trigger or worsen inflammatory bowel disease.
- Tocilizumab: watch for bowel perforation (diverticulitis), liver injury, low neutrophils and platelets and raised lipids.
- Anakinra with a TNF inhibitor such as etanercept increases serious infections without benefit; not combined.
- Ustekinumab blocks p40, the subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23.

## Drugs in this class

- [**Anakinra** A copy of the body's own IL-1 blocker, injected under the skin every day, for rheumatoid arthritis and inherited… Interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/anakinra/)
- [**Tocilizumab** An antibody against the IL-6 receptor, given by infusion or injection, for rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis… Interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), soluble and membrane-bound](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/tocilizumab/)
- [**Ustekinumab** An antibody against p40, the piece shared by IL-12 and IL-23, for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn disease and… p40 subunit shared by interleukin-12 and interleukin-23](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ustekinumab/)
- [**Secukinumab** A human antibody against IL-17A for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It can worsen Crohn… Interleukin-17A (IL-17A)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/secukinumab/)

## Others in the class

- canakinumab
- sarilumab
- ixekizumab
- guselkumab
- risankizumab

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which interleukin subunit does ustekinumab target, and why does that block two cytokines?

p40, which is part of both IL-12 and IL-23.

## Which class of interleukin inhibitor can worsen Crohn disease?

IL-17 inhibitors such as secukinumab.

## Which interleukin inhibitor is used for cytokine release syndrome?

Tocilizumab, which blocks the IL-6 receptor.

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Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 39 (McGraw Hill, 2023); [Altered Immunocompetence | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/general-recs/immunocompetence.html) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2024); [Tocilizumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611004.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025).

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