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Risankizumab

Generic name: risankizumab [ RIS-an-KIZ-ue-mab ]
Brand names: Skyrizi, Skyrizi Pen
Dosage forms: subcutaneous kit (75 mg/0.83 mL), subcutaneous solution (150 mg/mL)
Drug class: Interleukin inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 23, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is risankizumab?

Risankizumab is used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults.

Risankizumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You may get infections more easily. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, sweats, muscle aches, skin sores, stomach pain, diarrhea, burning when you urinate, weight loss, cough, shortness of breath, or a cough with red or pink mucus.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you have an active or chronic infection.

Tell your doctor if you've had or been exposed to tuberculosis, or if you recently traveled. Some infections are more common in certain parts of the world, and you may have been exposed during travel.

Tell your doctor if you recently received a vaccine or are scheduled for a booster dose.

Make sure you are current on all vaccines before you start using risankizumab.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of risankizumab on the baby.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I use risankizumab?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Risankizumab is injected under the skin.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand how to use an injection.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. You may need to use 2 injections to get your total dose.

Risankizumab should be clear or light-yellow. Call your pharmacist if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it.

Your healthcare provider will show you where to inject risankizumab. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row. Avoid injecting into skin that is hard, red, bruised, swollen, tender, or affected by psoriasis. Do not inject within 2 inches of your navel (belly button).

You may get infections more easily, even serious infections. You will need frequent medical tests.

Do not reuse a needle or syringe. Place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store risankizumab in the original carton in a refrigerator and use until expiration date. Protect from light and do not shake or freeze.

Take the medicine out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature for 30 to 90 minutes before using. Do not heat the medicine in a microwave or with hot water.

Throw away a prefilled syringe or injection pen after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Throw away any risankizumab that has been frozen, dropped, or damaged.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using risankizumab?

Avoid receiving a "live" vaccine, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).

Risankizumab side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

  • fever, chills, sweating, body aches;

  • shortness of breath, cough, bloody mucus;

  • mouth sores, red or swollen gums;

  • stomach pain, diarrhea;

  • increased urination, burning when you urinate;

  • pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

  • a fungal skin infection--skin sores different from psoriasis, rash or redness, blisters, itching, burning, cracking or peeling, changes in skin color; or

  • signs of tuberculosis: fever, cough, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, and feeling very tired.

Further doses may be delayed until your infection clears up.

Common side effects of risankizumab may include:

  • headache;

  • tiredness;

  • cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;

  • fungal skin infections; or

  • pain, redness, itching, bruising, swelling, warmth, bleeding, burning, or other skin irritation where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Risankizumab side effects (more detail)

Risankizumab dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Plaque Psoriasis:

150 mg (two 75 mg injections) subcutaneously at Week 0, Week 4, and every 12 weeks thereafter

Comments:
-Evaluate patients for tuberculosis (TB) infection prior to initiating this drug.

Use: For the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy

Detailed Risankizumab dosage information

What other drugs will affect risankizumab?

Other drugs may affect risankizumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Risankizumab drug interactions (more detail)

Popular FAQ

Yes, Skyrizi was approved in January 2022 to treat psoriatic arthritis in adults. Skyrizi was also approved in April 2019 to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults. A third indication, moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease in adults, was cleared by the FDA in June 2022. Continue reading

Skyrizi has no warnings or precautions for malignancy (cancer) in its product label and cancer is not listed as a serious or common side effect. Continue reading

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 adults. At 16 weeks, 72% of patients given Skyrizi achieved 90% clearer skin compared to 47% of patients given Humira, a statistically significant outcome. Continue reading

Skyrizi is made by AbbVie Inc., a pharmaceutical company located in North Chicago, Illinois. You can contact Abbvie at 1-800-222-6885. Skyrizi is used for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or Crohn's disease in adults. Continue reading

There are a number of differences between Skyrizi and Ilumya:

  • Ilumya was FDA approved in 2018 and Skyrizi was FDA approved in 2019.
  • Ilyumya is a brand name for tildrakizumab and Skyrizi is a brand name for risankizumab
  • The dose of Skyrizi is 150mg, but because each injection only contains 75mg, two injections must be given per dose. The dose of Ilumya is 100mg, and each injection contains 100mg therefore only one injection needs to be given each time
  • Ilumya needs to be administered by a healthcare professional; however, patients prescribed Skyrizi can be taught how to self-administer it at home
  • Skyrizi is also approved to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Continue reading

More FAQ

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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