What are 6 key Taltz side effects to watch out for?

Overview

Taltz (ixekizumab) is an injectable medication used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. It works by reducing inflammation in the body.

While most side effects of Taltz are mild to moderate, some can be serious and require medical attention. Below are six key side effects to watch for, along with management tips.

1. Injection Site Reactions

Injection site reactions are a common side effect from Taltz. Because Taltz is injected under the skin, it can cause redness, pain, and swelling in the area where you inject it. In clinical studies, many people reported redness and pain around the injection site. Most reactions from injecting Taltz are mild or moderate, and patients can continue taking the medication.

Tips for managing injection site reactions

• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed
• Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes to help reduce swelling
• Avoid wearing tight clothing around the injection site

If you notice redness, pain, or swelling around the injection site that doesn’t seem to be getting better after a few days, contact your doctor for further evaluation. They can make sure the site is not infected. Also contact your doctor if you experience any symptoms that seem severe.

2. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis (commonly known as “pink eye”) is another potential side effect from taking Taltz. Up to 3% of patients in clinical trials reported conjunctivitis as a side effect. Since conjunctivitis can be caused by allergies, a bacteria, or a virus, it is important to notify your doctor if you experience symptoms of conjunctivitis.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include:

• Red eye(s)
• Itchy eye(s)
• Eye pain
• Watery eye(s)
• Swollen eyelids
• Blurry vision
• Discharge from the eye(s)

Tips for managing conjunctivitis

• Apply a cold washcloth to your eye(s)
• Stop wearing contact lenses until your doctor tells you it is ok to wear them
• Use artificial tears to relieve dryness

The recommended treatment for pink eye depends on which type of pink eye you have. For this reason, if you have signs or symptoms of pink eye you should contact your doctor. They can help you figure out the cause and how to best treat it. For example, if you have bacterial conjunctivitis you may need an antibiotic. Follow your doctor’s instructions for treating your pink eye.

3. Nausea

You may feel nauseous during your treatment with Taltz. In 12-week clinical trials, about 2% of patients taking Taltz for plaque psoriasis reported nausea as a side effect. Tell your doctor if you feel so nauseous that it is affecting your normal daily activities. For most people, nausea can be managed at home.

Tips for managing nausea

• Eat smaller meals throughout the day
• Choose bland foods and avoid spicy or greasy foods
• Do not eat too quickly
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
• Stay upright after eating
• Try ginger or peppermint tea

Related questions

• What does psoriasis look like?
• How do you get psoriasis and is it contagious?
• How does Tremfya work?

4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

During 12-week clinical trials of adults taking Taltz for plaque psoriasis, more patients experienced new or worsening symptoms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis compared to patients taking a placebo (no active medication). However, less than 1% of people taking Taltz reported inflammatory bowel disease.

Tell your doctor if you experience new or worsening symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, including:

• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea (with or without blood)
• Weight loss

5. Infections

Taltz can weaken your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections. Infections reported by people taking Taltz include upper respiratory tract infections, sinus infections, urinary tract infections, and fungal skin infections. Most infections are mild or moderate, but sometimes infections can become serious.

During 12-week clinical trials of patients taking Taltz for plaque psoriasis, infections occurred in 27% of people taking Taltz compared to 23% of patients taking a placebo. However, 57% of patients taking Taltz reported infections compared to 32% of patients in the placebo group during weeks 13 to 60. It’s important to note that serious infections occurred in less than 1% of patients taking Taltz.

Your doctor will check you for tuberculosis (TB) before starting Taltz. Try to get up to date with your vaccines before starting treatment to lower your risk of infection. Do not get vaccines during treatment without consulting your doctor, since live vaccines are not recommended. Tell your doctor if you notice any symptoms of an infection before or during treatment, such as a fever, cough, diarrhea, stomach pain, pain when urinating, or muscle aches.

6. Allergic reactions

Allergic reactions from Taltz are possible, including life-threatening allergic reactions. Seek immediate medical help if you experience:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest tightness
• Swelling in the face or throat
• Feeling faint or dizzy

* This is not a complete list of side effects. See here for more information.