bDMARDs Quick Reference Guide
| Rheumatology | Ankylosing spondylitis Severe psoriatic arthritis |
| Dermatology | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis |
None
Pre-filled pen (autoinjector) 80mg/mL
Store at 2-8oC (refrigerate do not freeze).
Keep pre-filled pens in the outer carton until time of use to protect from light.
Do not shake.
Ixekizumab may be exposed to temperatures of up to 30oC for up to 5 days in total. The product must be used within these 5 days or discarded.
Ankylosing spondylitis: 80mg every 4 weeks
Psoriatic arthritis: 160mg (2 x 80mg injections) at week 0 followed by 80mg every 4 weeks thereafter.
Plaque psoriasis: 160mg (2 x 80mg injections) at week 0 followed by 80 mg once every 2 weeks for 6 doses (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) then 80mg every 4 weeks.
Treatment with csDMARDs (e.g., methotrexate) may be continued during treatment with ixekizumab.
Ixekizumab has the potential to reactivate latent TB (begin TB treatment before starting).
Patients with suspected latent or active TB should be treated in consultation with an Infectious Diseases physician.
Ixekizumab may increase the risk of infection. Treatment should not be initiated in patients with clinically significant active infection until the infection resolves or is adequately treated.
New cases and exacerbations of Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis have occurred in patients being treated with ixekizumab. Patients treated with ixekizumab who have inflammatory bowel disease should be monitored closely.
Live vaccines should not be given concurrently with ixekizuamb.
Pharmaceutical benefits Scheme (PBS) listing. Available from https://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/11032P-11033Q-11623R-12209N-12217B [accessed 8/10/21]
Product information. Available from https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2016-PI-02453-1 [accessed 8/10/21]
Australian Medicines Handbook 2020 (online). Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd; 2020 July. Available from: https://amhonline.amh.net.au/