How fast does Bimzelx work?
Bimzelx (bimekizumab) starts working to improve psoriasis symptoms for most people within the first 4 weeks of treatment. However, it can take longer before you notice the full effects of this medication. Most people who take Bimzelx achieve completely clear or almost clear skin by 16 weeks of treatment.
What is Bimzelx used for?
Bimzelx (bimekizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that may be used to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults. Plaque psoriasis is a skin condition that causes itchy, dry, raised patches on the skin.
It is not known how safe or effective it is in children or females who are pregnant or nursing.
How often is Bimzelx given?
Bimzelx is available as prefilled syringes and autoinjectors. It’s given as two injections under the skin at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16, and then every 4-8 weeks. Your first injection should be given under the supervision of a healthcare professional, and you should receive training on proper injection technique.
If you forget to take your dose of Bimzelx, inject your dose as soon as you remember. Then, take the next dose at the scheduled time.
Where can you inject Bimzelx?
It is recommended to inject Bimzelx under the skin on your stomach (2-inches away from your belly button) or your thigh. If you are having Bimzelx injected by a healthcare professional or caregiver, they may also inject it into the back of your upper arm.
Avoid injecting Bimzelx into areas that are bruised, red, tender, hard, or affected by psoriasis. Also, rotate the injection sites to allow the skin to heal.
How does Bimzelx work?
Bimzelx attaches to interleukin 17A (IL-17A), interleukin 17F (IL-17F), and interleukin 17-AF, which are all signaling proteins involved in psoriasis. It prevents these proteins from attaching to their receptors and promoting the release of inflammatory substances in the body. This helps reduce symptoms of psoriasis such as redness, itching, and pain.
Related questions
- How does Tremfya work?
- How does Ilumya work to treat psoriasis?
- Where should you not use triamcinolone acetonide cream?
How long does Bimzelx take to work?
About 1 out of 2 patients will have almost complete skin clearance after 4 weeks of treatment. Even more patients will have their psoriasis symptoms reduced by 75% at this time. This was demonstrated in clinical studies (Trial-Ps-1 and Trial-Ps-2).
Studies have shown that patients who take Bimzelx have a high chance of achieving 60% to 85% of clearance of psoriasis after taking it for 10-16 weeks. At 16 weeks, 85-91% of patients taking Bimzelx had at least a 90% reduction in psoriasis symptoms from when they started treatment. What’s more, 59-68% of patients had completely clear skin after 16 weeks of treatment.
Do I need to keep Bimzelx in the refrigerator?
Store Bimzelx in the refrigerator in its original carton to protect it from light. Do not freeze it because this could damage the medication. If you need to take Bimzelx out of the refrigerator, you can store it in the original carton for up to 30 days. After this time, it must be thrown away. Once you have stored the medication at room temperature, do not place it back in the refrigerator.
This is not all the information you need to know about Bimzelx (bimekizumab) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
Bimzelx [package insert]. (Updated October 2023). UCB, Inc. Accessed July 19, 2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=26b88358-871f-4c80-9d80-b2fb16477f81
Camiña-Conforto, G., et. al. (2023). Bimekizumab in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis: Focus on Patient Selection and Perspectives. In: Patient Preference and Adherence. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S350760
Read next
Sotyktu vs Otezla: How do they compare?
Sotyktu and Otezla are both oral prescription medicines used to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, but they work in different ways. Sotyktu blocks a protein called TYK2 (tyrosine kinase 2) to help lower inflammation and improve the severity and number of psoriasis lesions. Otezla works by blocking the phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) enzyme to lower inflammation. Continue reading
Halobetasol vs. clobetasol - How do they compare?
Halobetasol and clobetasol are both classified as super high-potency or high-potency topical corticosteroid (“steroid”) creams used on the skin. They are both FDA-approved to treat plaque psoriasis and skin conditions that are responsive to topical corticosteroids, such as dermatitis and eczema (atopic dermatitis). They lessen skin redness and pain, itching, dryness and scaling. Continue reading
Does taking vitamin D help with psoriasis?
Experts cannot say if oral vitamin D helps improve psoriasis symptoms, because overall, trial results have been mixed. While some open-label studies show a moderate to marked improvement (with some reports of remission), most double-blinded RCTs have shown only slight or no improvement. Supplementation could be considered on a case-by-case basis. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- What are the new drugs for plaque psoriasis?
- What are 7 key Stelara side effects to watch out for?
- What causes Plaque Psoriasis?
- What are 6 key Taltz side effects to watch out for?
- How long does it take for Otezla to work?
- What's the dosing schedule for Skyrizi?
- How do you inject Humira?
- How to stop taking Otezla?
- Cosentyx vs Humira: How do they compare?
- Does Cosentyx cause weight gain or loss?
- What is the mechanism of action of infliximab?
- What happens if Cosentyx is not refrigerated?
- How long does Cimzia take to work?
- How long does Cosentyx take to work?
- Does Skyrizi cause cancer?
- Can Enstilar be used on the scalp?
- Who makes Otezla and why is it so expensive?
- Is Otezla (apremilast) an immunosuppressant?
- Who is the actress in the Stelara commercial?
- Can you drink alcohol while taking Skyrizi?
- How long does it take for Tremfya to work?
- What is the difference between Amjevita and Humira?
- Does Otezla cause weight gain?
- How long does it take for Sotyktu to work?
Drug information
- Bimzelx Information for Consumers
- Bimzelx prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Bimzelx (detailed)
- Bimzelx user reviews (16)
Related support groups
- Bimzelx (1 questions, 3 members)
- Plaque Psoriasis (92 questions, 69 members)