Ixekizumab
Interleukin inhibitors
Interleukin inhibitors
A humanised antibody against interleukin-17A, injected for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis; it can worsen bowel disease.
Quick facts
- Group
- Interleukin inhibitors
- Target
- Interleukin-17A (IL-17A)
- Used for
- Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
- Key effects
- Injection-site redness or pain · Stuffy or runny nose
- Monitor
- Latent tuberculosis test before starting
- ATC
- L04AC13
No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.
Mechanism of action
Ixekizumab is a humanised IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds interleukin-17A and keeps it from reaching its receptor. IL-17A, made by Th17 and other immune cells, drives keratinocyte overgrowth in psoriasis and inflammation in the joints and spine; neutralising it calms both.
- Antibody binds interleukin-17A
- IL-17A cannot reach its receptor
- Keratinocytes and joint cells get fewer inflammatory signals
- Plaques clear and spine and joint pain ease
Indications
- Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, including in children Psoriasis →
- Psoriatic arthritis Psoriatic arthritis →
- Ankylosing spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis →
- Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
Adverse effects
Common
- Injection-site redness or pain
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Nausea
- Red, itchy or watery eyes
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to ixekizumab
- Active serious infection, including active tuberculosis
Key interactions
- Methotrexate
- Can be combined in psoriatic arthritis.
- Live vaccines
- Avoided during treatment; age-appropriate vaccines are given before starting.
What is monitored
- Latent tuberculosis test before starting
- Bowel symptoms: abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood in the stool
- Signs of infection
Administration and safety
- Injected under the skin; the patient or a caregiver can inject at home after teaching.
- Vaccines are brought up to date before starting.
- Treatment is delayed during an active infection.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Human data are limited; pregnancy and breastfeeding are discussed with the treating team.
Nursing care
- Ask about Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or eczema before starting.
- Confirm the tuberculosis test before the first dose.
- Teach to report diarrhoea (with or without blood), abdominal pain or weight loss.
- Teach to report fever, chills or painful skin.
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption
- Subcutaneous injection from a prefilled syringe or autoinjector
- Metabolism
- Broken down like other antibodies
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which cytokine does ixekizumab neutralise?
Interleukin-17A.
Which disease can start or worsen during IL-17 blockade?
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).
Which two rheumatic diseases are treated with ixekizumab?
Psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis (also non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis).
Connections
← Back to the class: Interleukin inhibitors
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: Ixekizumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.