Skyrizi vs Humira for plaque psoriasis - How do they compare?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on June 20, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

In a head-to-head clinical study between Skyrizi and Humira, researchers found that Skyrizi was better than Humira at clearing moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

In this study at 16 weeks, 72% of patients given Skyrizi achieved 90% clearer skin compared to 47% of patients given Humira, a statistically significant outcome.
At 16 weeks, 109 patients using Humira who did not achieve 50% to 90% skin clearance were either switched to Skyrizi for a total of 44 weeks or stayed on Humira.
In patients who switched to Skyrizi during the study, three times more people achieved 90% clearer skin when compared to Humira. Overall, 66% of those receiving Skyrizi who had formerly used Humira achieved 90% skin clearance at 44 weeks, compared to 21% of those who remained on Humira.
There were no new safety concerns in patients who switched from Humira to Skyrizi.

Humira and Skyrizi are both manufactured by AbbVie Inc. of North Chicago, Illinois.

What are Skyrizi and Humira used for and how do they work?

Skyrizi was first approved by the FDA on April 23, 2019 to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. It is also approved to treat psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in adults.

Skyrizi works by selectively inhibiting interleukin 23, a cytokine that contributes to inflammation in psoriasis.
It is not approved to be used in children.

Humira was initially approved on Dec. 31, 2002 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to plaque psoriasis, it is also approved to treat other inflammatory conditions in adults such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.

Humira is classified as a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker and works by reducing the inflammation linked with these conditions.
Humira is also approved to be used in adults and children to treat Crohn's disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, uveitis, and a skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa.

Are both Skyrizi and Humira approved for psoriasis?

Both Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) and Humira (adalimumab) are biologics approved by the FDA to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, among other uses. These medicines are used in patients who may benefit from taking injections, pills or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).

Plaque psoriasis is a long-term autoimmune disease in which the cells of your skin are quickly replaced. This causes raised silvery plaques that can be flaky, red, and itchy.
In autoimmune diseases the body's immune system starts to mistakenly attack healthy cells and tissues.

Besides psoriasis, the other approved uses that are similar between Skyrizi and Humira are Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and psoriatic arthritis. While Skyrizi is approved for use only in adults, Humira can be used in children for Crohn's disease (6 years and older) and ulcerative colitis (5 years and older).

How do side effects compare between Skyrizi and Humira?

Skyrizi and Humira have some similar side effects and some that are different.

Side effects that were reported commonly with Skyrizi (in >1% of patients with plaque psoriasis) include upper respiratory infections, headache, fatigue, injection site reactions and tinea (fungal) infections.
The most common side effects with Humira (>10%) are infections (like upper respiratory infections or sinusitis), injection site reactions, headache and rash.

Learn more: Side effects for Skyrizi and Humira (in more detail)

How is dosing different between Skyrizi and Humira for psoriasis?

Both Skyrizi and Humira are given as subcutaneous (under the skin) injections for plaque psoriasis, but their dosing schedule is different. Skyrizi involves fewer injections per year than Humira.

After 2 starter doses given 4 weeks apart, Skyrizi is given every 12 weeks (4 maintenance doses per year).
One week after an initial starting dose, Humira is given as an injection every 2 weeks (25 maintenance doses per year).

Both Skyrizi and Humira come as single-dose, prefilled syringes or pens for injection for use in psoriasis. You or a caregiver can learn to give these injections at home, or your healthcare provider can administer these medicines. Do not attempt to give an injection until you have been trained and fully understand how to use these medicines.

Use Skyrizi or Humira exactly as directed by your doctor.

This is not all the information you need to know about Skyrizi or Humira for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your healthcare provider's directions. Review the full product information and discuss any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

References

Reich K, Gooderham, Thaci D et al. Risankizumab compared with adalimumab in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (IMMvent): A randomized, double-blind, active-comparator-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet 2019. Aug 17;394(10198):576-586. Erratum in: Lancet. 2019 Jul 16;: PMID: 31280967. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30952-3
Skyrizi prescribing information. 6/2024/2022. AbbVie. North Chicago, Illinois. Accessed June 20, 2024 at https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/skyrizi_pi.pdf
Humira prescribing information. 2/2024. AbbVie Inc. North Chicago, Ill. Accessed June 20, 2024 at https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/humira.pdf
Skyrizi.com. AbbVie. Skyrizi vs. Humira. Accessed June 20, 2024 at https://www.skyrizihcp.com/clinical-efficacy/switch/humira-to-skyrizi
Skyrizi.com. AbbVie. Accessed June 20, 2024 at https://www.skyrizi.com/psoriasis-treatment/switch-to-skyrizi

How does Ilumya work to treat psoriasis?

Ilumya works by binding selectively to interleukin-23 (IL-23) which is a naturally occurring cytokine. IL-23 plays a key role in promoting inflammation and regulating other cytokines (such as IL-17) and inflammatory substances, such as TNF-α3-7. By blocking the effects of IL-23, Ilumya helps control the release of IL-17 and TNF-α, which reduces inflammation associated with psoriasis. It also decreases how many inflammatory cells are present within psoriatic lesions, helps prevent plaque formation, and resolves tissue damage. Continue reading

Prednisone: What are 12 Things You Should Know?

Prednisone first came onto the market over sixty years ago and is still going strong. But did you know that this common drug used for a variety of different conditions also has some pretty serious side effects as well? Continue reading

Where should you not use triamcinolone acetonide cream?

You should not use topical corticosteroids like triamcinolone acetonide cream on your face, groin, or axillae (underarm, armpit) unless directed by your doctor. Using triamcinolone in these areas may lead to unwanted side effects like acne, prominent blood vessels, skin thinning (atrophy), changes in skin color or unwanted hair growth. Continue reading

Skyrizi vs Humira for plaque psoriasis - How do they compare?

What are Skyrizi and Humira used for and how do they work?

Are both Skyrizi and Humira approved for psoriasis?

Related questions

How do side effects compare between Skyrizi and Humira?

How is dosing different between Skyrizi and Humira for psoriasis?

Read next

How does Ilumya work to treat psoriasis?

Prednisone: What are 12 Things You Should Know?

Where should you not use triamcinolone acetonide cream?

See also:

Aimovig

Botox

Stelara

Nurtec ODT

Emgality

Inderal

Ajovy

Vyepti

Botox Cosmetic

Fremanezumab

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups