[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/) › Risankizumab

# Risankizumab

## Interleukin inhibitors?

Interleukin inhibitors

A humanised antibody against the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

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

**Target**
Interleukin-23, p19 subunit (IL-23p19)

**Used for**
Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis · Crohn's disease

**Key effects**
Upper respiratory infections · Headache and tiredness

**Monitor**
Latent tuberculosis test before starting

**ATC**
L04AC18

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

Risankizumab is a humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody against the p19 subunit of interleukin-23. Without IL-23, Th17 cells are not maintained and make less IL-17, so skin, joint and bowel inflammation fall. It has a longer half-life than guselkumab, so maintenance injections are spaced further apart.

- Antibody binds the p19 subunit of IL-23
- Th17 cells lose their survival signal
- Less IL-17 and related cytokines
- Skin, joint and bowel inflammation settles

## Indications

- Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis [Psoriasis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriasis/)
- Psoriatic arthritis [Psoriatic arthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/)
- Crohn's disease [Crohn disease →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/crohn-disease/)
- Ulcerative colitis [Ulcerative colitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Upper respiratory infections, sore throat, runny nose
- Headache and tiredness
- Injection-site reactions
- Joint or back pain

### Serious (rare, important)

- Serious infections, including tuberculosis
- Liver injury
- Severe allergic reactions

## Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to risankizumab
- Active serious infection, including active tuberculosis

## Key interactions

**Live vaccines**
Avoided during treatment; age-appropriate vaccines are given before starting.

**Other immunosuppressants and biologics**
Added infection risk.

## What is monitored

- Latent tuberculosis test before starting
- Liver tests before and during treatment
- Signs of infection

## Administration and safety

- Intravenous doses are given in a clinic; the first subcutaneous dose may also be given there.
- Subcutaneous doses can be given at home after teaching (syringe, pen or on-body injector).
- Vaccines are brought up to date before starting.

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Human data are limited; pregnancy and breastfeeding are discussed with the treating team.

## Nursing care

- Confirm the tuberculosis test and ask about liver disease, including cirrhosis.
- Teach to report yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, nausea or upper right abdominal pain.
- Teach to report fever, persistent cough, weight loss or night sweats.

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Subcutaneous injection; an intravenous form also exists

**Half-life**
Longer than guselkumab's, allowing more widely spaced maintenance doses

## Memory aid

riSANKizumab SINKs IL-23 at p19: Skin, Arthritis, Nasty bowel (Crohn's and colitis), Keep an eye on the liver.

## Test yourself

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

## Which subunit of IL-23 does risankizumab bind?

The p19 subunit.

## Which laboratory tests are watched during risankizumab treatment?

Liver tests, because of possible liver injury.

## Which two IL-23 p19 antibodies are used in both psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease?

Guselkumab and risankizumab.

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

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

## Connections

## Related drugs 3

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

## Related conditions 4

- [Psoriasis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriasis/)
- [Psoriatic arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/)
- [Crohn disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/crohn-disease/)
- [Ulcerative colitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/)

[← 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: [Risankizumab-rzaa Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a619035.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L04AC18) (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.

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