Taltz and Injection Site Pain: What Users Say

• Tal...
• August 25, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "35 y/o female, issues with mild psoriasis for decades and in April became severe after having strep. I was covered. My scalp was covered, and spots started to appear on my forehead and face. My back was completely covered, and my arms and legs looked like a horrible case of chickenpox. Started with a steroid shot that seemed it was going to work, a week later it came back with a vengeance! Then tried other injections (also immunosuppressors), same thing, acted like they were working, but a week in it was back full force. I began Taltz with 2 injections, then 1 every 2 weeks for 6 doses, then 1 a month. I am beginning the 1 a month regimen now. I was completely clear in days. I haven’t been sick and work in a high-risk profession of catching colds/flu/etc. The injections are painful but quick. First, the injections left large welts, but that has subsided. I would take that any day over the psoriasis. I recommend taking the medication out of the fridge a couple hours before injection and follow it with an ice pack."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "43 yr old female, psoriasis since 9 yrs old. Tried Humira 50% cleared, Stelara 90% cleared. Tried others because Dr. thought I could be 100% clear - Cosentyx maybe 60% clear now Taltz. Skin looking OK, like it might get to 90% during loading stage (12 weeks) BUT injection site pain and reaction over my whole thigh, can’t wear pants, but it did get better by icing immediately after. Other side effects - heavy scaling in my hair, ear infections fortnightly, thrush, skin rash/chafing, dry nasal passages, my nostril has split and scarred on one side. Thick sticky discharge from my nose, ears, and eyes and developed a rash reaction to the discharge at the corners of my eyes, nose, mouth, and my ears including my earlobes. Hearing issues and can’t see when eyes inflamed. I am really sick, 1 month since stopping it and waiting and praying for side effects to improve. ENT specialist booked for 6 weeks' time, absolutely not worth it for me unfortunately."

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2023

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "With Taltz: In 3-4 months, sacroiliac joint pain went from 5 to 0. I don’t think about it anymore. No side effects, although the injection hurts—looking forward to the rollout of citrate-free Taltz. Taking #5 dose in a week."

• Tra...
• December 7, 2020

For Psoriatic Arthritis "After many years on Humira, I switched to Taltz. The pain at the injection site is horrid. Just as they took the sting out of Humira, I had to switch. This is the worst for me yet as far as injection site, but it is working on my psoriasis, swelling, and pain so much better than Humira."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 22, 2022

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Diagnosed with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis disease 16 years ago. Put on methotrexate; Simponi 1x a month with 20 mg leflunomide every day for 10 years but developed a chronic cough, and leflunomide caused diarrhea. Cimzia (3 months - no change). Started Taltz 1x a month 18 months ago. Rheumatologist added 500 mg of sulfasalazine a day; doctor prescribed 50 mg Arthrotec 2x a day for pain. Taltz works well on the psoriasis but is not working on the arthritis. Past 5 months have been experiencing horrible tendon/muscle pain in upper arms, wrists, outside of calves. Joints feel stiff, and I am noticing more plaque on the soles of my feet. Biologics are supposed to be the most aggressive treatment, but most seem to be supported with secondary medications. Agree with others, the injection is painful, burns, and leaves a welt for 3-7 days; icing before injection helps - EpiPen style is better! Some biologics are used as TNF blockers while others are inhibitors."

• Rud...
• September 2, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "Started Taltz on 4/29/17 and took my final dose a few weeks ago. I had such high hopes, but it did not work for me. I'd taken Humira for years with amazing results until it stopped working last October. Then I tried Stelara. Skin got worse, much worse. Taltz seemed to help a little at first, thinned out some of the plaques. Then it stopped doing even that, and my skin has gotten progressively worse. Another note on Taltz: the injections hurt. I found them by far more painful than any others. And it didn't stop hurting after the injection. Also, I had huge injection site reactions from it, 6-inch welts. It would have been worth the pain if it had worked. It didn't."

• Rud...
• September 2, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "Started Taltz on 4/29/17 and took my final dose a few weeks ago. I had such high hopes, but it did not work for me. I'd taken Humira for years with amazing results until it stopped working last October. Then I tried Stelara. Skin got worse, much worse. Taltz seemed to help a little at first, thinned out some of the plaques. Then it stopped doing even that, and my skin has gotten progressively worse. Another note on Taltz: the injections hurt. I found them by far more painful than any others. And it didn't stop hurting after the injection. Also, I had huge injection site reactions from it, 6-inch welts. It would have been worth the pain if it had worked. It didn't."

• Mor...
• September 18, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "Have lived with severe plaque psoriasis for about 23 years. Never took any biologics to treat it. Within 3 days, I developed hives and severely itchy eyes, but that was controlled quickly and easily with antihistamine. Within a week, 90% of plaques were GONE. By Day 10, only the thickest plaques left any buildup, although those areas did appear to start to get rougher. Week 2 injection seems to maintain it, though midway through Week 3 some itching has redeveloped, though it may only be a very mild reaction. Insurance won't cover since I didn't try Humira, but Taltz has been probably 90% effective so far and I doubt that Humira or Enbrel would have come even close to alleviating any symptoms given my experience so far. Injection site pain is moderate, but I could see how it might be difficult for less hardened people. So far, no major illness, but I rarely get sick and it has only been a month. Time will tell."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I tried this drug but had terrible injection site reactions to it. My doctor switched me to Cosentyx, and I could not be happier. They have a plan that brings my copay down to $0, and it's not based on income. My skin is basically clear just in time for swimsuit season!!"

• Lon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have battled psoriasis for 15 years, trying nearly every topical and biologic treatment available. The only drug that ever provided me with 100% clear skin was Stelara, but unfortunately, it stopped working after 3 years. I have been on Taltz for about 5 months. After my first two injections, I experienced a reduction in plaques and itching, and that progress remained while I was on the bi-weekly injections, although I never cleared up by more than about 40%. As soon as I finished the bi-weekly loading period and had to wait a month in between injections, my skin immediately reverted to the level of severity experienced prior to beginning Taltz. No negative side effects, but this injection hurts more than Stelara, Humira, Cosyntex, and Enbrel."

• men...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Had my first Taltz injections today. I have taken Humira, Cosentyx, Simponi, and Enbrel for my condition and never had such a painful injection. I wonder if they are using square needles? Over the years, Humira especially has somehow managed to make their auto injectors almost painless, but the Taltz injections were by far the worst."

• Aur...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2022

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have now been on Taltz for ~2 years, and it has helped me to the point where I have been lucky enough to be able to sometimes completely forget my condition. Before Taltz, I tried UVB, methotrexate, cyclosporine, Otezla, and Humira. None worked for me at all, with cyclosporine and Otezla giving me lots of side effects. Since about 1-2 months in of using Taltz, I have been 100% clear. Zero outbreaks during 2 years on it. I have not been suffering from any respiratory infections (actually less than the rest of the family), but I have noticed I have herpes outbreaks more frequently than I used to (I've only had them twice in 10 years before Taltz, now ~3-4/year). Injection site pain is really the only thing I can complain about, but I'd rather endure that pain once a month and live a psoriasis-free life! Based on the reviews and experiences I've read here, I might try injecting in the stomach next time, maybe less pain?"

• Diz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 7, 2022

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I have been on this for around 10 months. The injections are extremely painful as they contain citrate, which burns. Although there is a new citrate-free version now coming out. I wasn’t totally convinced Taltz was helping, and the last few months, the pains of AS during the night are really bad, so hoping I will change to something else. Side effects: losing hair and turned very wispy. I get site injection redness and fatigue."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 5, 2021

For Plaque Psoriasis "Almost 2 years on Taltz with great success. Had tried Enbrel, Humira, and Cimzia which worked well on my psoriasis arthritis (PsA) but not my skin. After a bout with strep and a huge full body flare-up. It was ugly and painful. I went to the dermatologist who recommended Taltz. Consulted my rheumatologist the next week, and we decided to try it. Rheum had never prescribed Taltz to her patients. In 3 months, my skin was clearer and my PsA was controlled. In 6 months, my skin had cleared up completely. I deal with some IBD and elevated liver numbers on Taltz, but if I drink more water, less alcohol, and exercise, I can keep my numbers in check. What a relief it’s been for me and my skin and my health. The injections can be very painful, but I’ve found injecting in my chubby stomach much less painful than my muscular thigh."

• Hik...
• December 13, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Been on this drug for a year. I haven’t had any side effects. Keeps my symptoms minimal and skin clear. No infections. Great drug. Only negative is injection hurts!"

• Fbe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2020

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Most painful injection so far, tried Humira, Cosentyx, and Orencia."