Is Omvoh the same as Skyrizi?
No. Omvoh (mirikizumab-mrkz) and Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) are both part of a newer class of biologic drugs called IL-23 inhibitors—meaning they target a key inflammatory protein called interleukin-23. However, these medications are not the same: they are distinct drugs, approved separately and used a bit differently for various autoimmune conditions.
What Conditions Do Omvoh and Skyrizi Treat?
Omvoh and Skyrizi are both FDA approved to treat inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). However, Skyrizi is additionally approved to treat psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis.
How Do You Take Omvoh and Skyrizi
Omvoh begins with supervised intravenous (IV) infusions before transitioning to convenient at-home injections. The initial infusions take approximately 30-90 minutes.
Skyrizi, on the other hand, can be given as a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. For UC and CD, administration is similar to Omvoh in that you begin with intravenous infusions and move to under-the-skin injections for maintenance dosing.
In general, Omvoh is given more frequently compared to Skyrizi. After the initial doses, Omvoh is administered every 4 weeks and Skyrizi is given every 8-12 weeks.
Which One Works Better: Omvoh and Skyrizi?
Currently, there are no head-to-head studies directly comparing Omvoh and Skyrizi for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Both have shown strong results in clinical trials, helping many patients achieve remission and reduce inflammation.
Omvoh Clinical Trial Data
Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
Induction and Maintenance Trials (LUCENT-1 and LUCENT-2):
- At 12 weeks: 24% of patients on Omvoh achieved clinical remission, compared to 15% on placebo.
- At 1 year (52 weeks): 51% of those who improved by Week 12 maintained clinical remission, versus 27% on placebo.
- Long-term extension (LUCENT-3): Among patients who achieved clinical remission at one year, up to 70% maintained it at two years.
Crohn’s Disease (CD)
Phase III Trials (VIVID-1, VIVID-2):
- At 52 weeks: 53% of patients achieved clinical remission, vs 36% on placebo.
Skyrizi Clinical Trial Data
Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
- Induction Trial: At 12 weeks, 24% achieved clinical remission vs 8% for placebo; 65% had a clinical response (symptom improvement).
- Maintenance Trial (COMMAND): At 52 weeks, 41–45% maintained remission (depending on dose) compared to 26% with placebo. Endoscopic and symptom improvements were also superior to placebo.
Crohn’s Disease (CD)
- Induction Trials (ADVANCE, MOTIVATE):
- At 12 weeks: 45% achieved early remission after IV induction, and a strong clinical response rate among those with resistant disease histories.
- Maintenance (FORTIFY, SEQUENCE trials):
- At 52 weeks: 57–61% in clinical remission; 33% had endoscopic remission.
Omvoh may be chosen when gut symptoms are most severe. Skyrizi might be preferred for patients with skin or joint issues alongside bowel symptoms.
Related questions
- What are IL-23 Inhibitors and how do they work?
- How does Omvoh compare to Entyvio?
- Who is the actress in the Skyrizi commercial?
Safety and Side Effects of Omvoh and Skyrizi
Both drugs have similar safety profiles, as IL-23 inhibitors, but there are subtle differences.
Omvoh side effects:
- Upper respiratory infections (colds, sinusitis)
- Injection site reactions
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Rash
- Rare: Liver enzyme elevations and risk of serious infections
Skyrizi side effects:
- Cold-like symptoms (upper respiratory infections)
- Injection site reactions
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Sometimes skin rashes, rare serious infections, and very rarely liver issues
Doctors monitor patients for these effects, especially infections, as both medications tamp down parts of the immune system.
Choosing Between Omvoh and Skyrizi
Although similar, Omvoh and Skyrizi are not direct substitutes. They are prescribed based on individual symptoms, disease history, and other health factors. The right medication for you depends on what’s most important for your health—gut healing, joint pain, skin involvement, dosing preferences, and medical history. Talk to your doctor about all your symptoms and priorities before starting either medication.
Key Takeaways
- Omvoh and Skyrizi are both IL-23 inhibitors, but they are NOT the same drug.
- They have overlapping but not identical uses, different ways of administration, and slightly different side effect profiles.
- Discuss the options with your healthcare provider to find the best fit for you.
References
- Omvoh [package insert]. Updated 2025. Eli Lilly and Company. Accessed July 29, 2025 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=472cbe04-263e-433d-9a0f-58c1b50b715a
- Sands, B. E., D'Haens, G., Clemow, D. B., Irving, P. M., Johns, J. T., Hunter Gibble, T., Abreu, M. T., Lee, S., Hisamatsu, T., Kobayashi, T., Dubinsky, M. C., Vermeire, S., Siegel, C. A., Peyrin-Biroulet, L., Moses, R. E., Milata, J., Arora, V., Panaccione, R., & Dignass, A. 2024. Two-Year Efficacy and Safety of Mirikizumab Following 104 Weeks of Continuous Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis: Results From the LUCENT-3 Open-Label Extension Study. Inflammatory bowel diseases, 30(12), 2245–2258. https://doi.org/10.1093/ibd/izae024
- Skyrizi [package insert]. Updated 2025. AbbVie Inc. Accessed July 29, 2025 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7148c8eb-b39e-e20a-6494-a6df82392858
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