how does this medication work? what will it do for me?
risankizumab belongs to the class of medications called immunomodulators. it is used to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. when people have plaque psoriasis, their bodies overproduce a protein called interleukin-23 (il-23). increased levels of this protein cause inflammation which can result in itching, pain, and scaling skin. risankizumab blocks the action of il-23, reducing the symptoms of plaque psoriasis.
this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
what form(s) does this medication come in?
75 mg/0.83 ml pre-filled syringe
each 0.83 ml of sterile, unpreserved, clear-to-slightly yellow solution contains 75 mg of risankizumab. nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium succinate hexahydrate, polysorbate 20, sorbitol, succinic acid, and water for injection
150 mg/1 ml pre-filled syringe
each 1 ml of sterile, unpreserved, clear-to-slightly yellow solution contains 150 mg of risankizumab. nonmedicinal ingredients: acetic acid, polysorbate 20, sodium acetate trihydrate, trehalose dihydrate, and water for injection.
150 mg/1ml pre-filled pen
each 1 ml of sterile, unpreserved, clear-to-slightly yellow solution contains 150 mg of risankizumab. nonmedicinal ingredients: acetic acid, polysorbate 20, sodium acetate trihydrate, trehalose dihydrate, and water for injection.
how should i use this medication?
the recommended dose of risankizumab is 150 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin). after the first dose of 150 mg, a second dose is given after 4 weeks. after that, risankizumab is given every 12 weeks. this medication is administered by subcutaneous injection in the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen. it is important to change the injection site you're using, rotating between sites, to reduce the risk of fat wasting at the injection site. avoid injecting into areas that are tender, bruised, or affected by psoriasis.
the solution should be clear-to-slightly milky and colourless-to-slightly yellow. it is normal to see a few tiny, white or clear particles in the solution. if the solution is discoloured or contains flakes or large particles, do not use the contents of the pre-filled syringe or pen. instead, use a new syringe or pen. allow the pre-filled syringe to warm to room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before you inject it. allow the pre-filled pen to warm to room temperature for 30 to 90 minutes before you inject it.
many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
it is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. if you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
if you are receiving this medication at the doctor's office and you miss an appointment to receive risankizumab, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.
store this medication in the refrigerator, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. do not let this medication freeze.
do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
who should not take this medication?
do not take this medication if you are allergic to risankizumab or any ingredients of the medication.
what side effects are possible with this medication?
many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- more frequent flu-like symptoms (sudden lack of energy, fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose)
- headache
- pain or redness at the injection site
- itching
- small, raised bumps on the skin
- tiredness
although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- fungal skin infection
- signs of infection (e.g., fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
- symptoms of a urinary tract infection (e.g., pain when urinating, urinating more often than usual, low back or flank pain)
stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face or throat)
- symptoms of serious infection (e.g., flu-like symptoms; fever; night sweats; cough; warm, red, or painful skin; muscle aches; weight loss)
some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.
body weight: this medication may not be as effective for people with a body weight over 130 kg. talk to your doctor if this is a concern.
infections: this medication can increase the risk of developing an infection, including serious infections such as tuberculosis. before starting risankizumab treatment, your doctor may test to see if you have tuberculosis. if you notice signs of an infection such as fever, chills, pain, swelling, or coughing, contact your doctor as soon as possible. this medication should also not be started while you have an active infection.
tell your doctor if you have a history of infections that keep coming back, or other conditions that might increase your risk of infections such as diabetes. while you are taking risankizumab, your doctor will monitor you for signs of infection.
vaccines: before starting this medication, all your immunizations should be up to date. live vaccines (e.g., bcg, yellow fever) are not recommended for people taking this medication. talk to your doctor if you need any vaccinations while taking this medication.
pregnancy: this medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. if you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. women who could become pregnant should use effective birth control while taking this medication and for 20 weeks after the last dose.
breast-feeding: it is not known if risankizumab passes into breast milk. if you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
children: the safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
what other drugs could interact with this medication?
there may be an interaction between risankizumab and any of the following:
- bcg
- baricitinib
- belimumab
- cladribine
- denosumab
- echinacea
- fingolimod
- infliximab
- leflunomide
- natalizumab
- ocrelizumab
- ozanimod
- pimecrolimus
- roflumilast
- siponimod
- tacrolimus
- tofacitinib
- upadacitinib
- vaccines
if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
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