[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Interleukin inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/interleukin-inhibitors/) › Ixekizumab

# 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.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Interleukin inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/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.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## 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 →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriasis/)
- Psoriatic arthritis [Psoriatic arthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/)
- Ankylosing spondylitis [Ankylosing spondylitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/)
- Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Injection-site redness or pain
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Nausea
- Red, itchy or watery eyes

### Serious (rare, important)

- Serious infections, including tuberculosis
- New or worse inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Severe allergic reactions
- Eczema-like skin reactions

## 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

## Memory aid

IXEkizumab and secukinumab block IL-17: Inflammatory bowel disease gets worse — check the gut first.

## 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).

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/ixekizumab/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 3

- [Secukinumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/secukinumab/)
- [Guselkumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/guselkumab/)
- [Methotrexate](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/methotrexate/)

## Related conditions 3

- [Psoriasis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriasis/)
- [Psoriatic arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/)
- [Ankylosing spondylitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/)

[← Back to the class: Interleukin inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/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](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a616025.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L04AC13) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ixekizumab/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ixekizumab/