Does Ilumya treat psoriatic arthritis?
Ilumya is not approved by the FDA to treat psoriatic arthritis, but studies for this use are ongoing. Illumya is only approved to treat plaque psoriasis at this time. Your doctor may decide, based on their medical judgement, to prescribe Ilumya off-label for other conditions.
"Off-label" use of a drug refers to prescribing a medication for a different purpose than those formally approved by the FDA and found in the package labeling of the drug. When drug treatments are used off-label, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of these treatments with your healthcare provider.
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis also associated with psoriasis plaques of the skin. Psoriatic arthritis can affect over 40% of patients with plaque psoriasis. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling and stiffness, fatigue and loss of ability to fully use the joint. Treatments for psoriatic arthritis should improve inflammation, joint swelling, and pain.
Why is Ilumya prescribed?
Ilumya (tildrakizumab-asmn) is a prescription injection used to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults. It is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously) in the thighs, stomach area (abdomen), or upper arm by a healthcare provider.
- Ilumya is used in patients who may benefit from receiving injections, pills, or treatment with ultraviolet (UV) light phototherapy.
- It is classified as a humanized, anti-IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody and works by blocking inflammatory proteins (cytokines and chemokines) in the body.
- Sun Pharma is the manufacturer of Ilumya. It was granted FDA-approval on March 21, 2018.
Which biologics are approved to treat both psoriatic arthritis & plaque psoriasis?
Examples of biologic treatments approved by the FDA to treat both psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis include:
- Bimzelx (bimekizumab)
- Cimzia (certolizumab)
- Cosentyx (secukinumab)
- Enbrel (etanercept)
- Humira (adalimumab)
- Remicade (infliximab)
- Skyrizi (risankizumab)
- Stelara (ustekinumab)
- Taltz (ixekizumab)
- Tremfya (guselkumab)
Other IL-23 inhibitors, like Tremfya or Skyrizi, work similarly to Illumya and are approved to treat active psoriatic arthritis. Stelara, another option, blocks both IL-23 and IL-12 by binding to the shared p40 subunit.
Otezla (apremilast) is not classified as a biologic. It is an phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor approved by the FDA for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease. It is taken as an oral tablet.
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Studies of Ilumya for psoriatic arthritis
In a Phase 2b, 52-week study of 391 adult patients, researchers reported that 71.4% to 79.5% of patients treated with Ilumya had a 20% improvement in symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (ACR20) at week 24, compared to 50.6% of patients on placebo, a significant outcome.
Patients achieved similar results with either the 100 mg or 200 mg dose given every 12 weeks (quarterly) in the 24 week analysis. Some patients using the 100 mg dose had significant improvements as early as 8 weeks.
Ilumya was well-tolerated through 52-weeks of treatment and there was a low rate of serious side effects (3.3%) comparable to placebo. The most common side effects reported included the common cold (nasopharyngitis), upper respiratory tract infections, high blood pressure and headaches. Side effects of any type were reported in 64% of patients.
By week 52, 76 (19.4%) patients discontinued the study, primarily due to lack of efficacy (9.5%) or withdrawn consent (3.3%). The main study limitation was a high rate of placebo response, yet results remained statistically significant.
Adequately sized, Phase 3 studies are needed to determine the effectiveness and safety of Ilumya as a treatment option for patients with psoriatic arthritis.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation, tildrakizumab is not currently listed as an agent to treat psoriatic arthritis, and do not recommend it for joint involvement in plaque psoriasis due to a lack of supporting data.
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) states in a review that tildrakizumab was efficacious in improving signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), improving physical functioning and quality of life.
This is not all the information you need to know about Ilumya (tildrakizumab-asmn) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full product information and discuss any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Ilumya (tildrakizumab-asmn) Product Information. 4/2024. Sun Pharma. Cranbury, NJ. Accessed July 17, 2025 at https://www.ilumya.com/Sun_Pharma_ILUMYA_US_Prescribing_Information_.pdf
- Menter A, Strober BE, Kaplan DH, et al. Joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with biologics. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019 Apr;80(4):1029-1072. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.11.057
- Kerschbaumer A, Smolen JS, Ferreira RJO, et al. Efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatment of psoriatic arthritis: a systematic literature research informing the 2023 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2024 May 15;83(6):760-774. doi: 10.1136/ard-2024-225534
- Sun Pharma Announces Late-Breaking Phase 2 Data Showing Potential of Ilumya (tildrakizumab-asmn) to Improve Joint and Skin Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis. Press Release. June 14, 2019. Sun Pharma. Accessed July 17, 2025.
- Mease PJ, et al. Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multiple-Dose, Phase 2b Study to Demonstrate the Safety and Efficacy of Tildrakizumab, a High-Affinity Anti–Interleukin-23P19 Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients with Active Psoriatic Arthritis: An Interim Analysis. Presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2019), June 2019.
- Mease PJ, Chohan S, Fructuoso FJG, et al. Efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis: results of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose, 52-week phase IIb study. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Published Online First: 13 May 2021. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-219014
- Understanding Unapproved Use of Approved Drugs "Off Label". US Food and Drug Administration. (FDA) Accessed July 17, 2025 at https://www.fda.gov/patients/learn-about-expanded-access-and-other-treatment-options/understanding-unapproved-use-approved-drugs-label
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