Ixekizumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jun 13, 2024.

Applies to ixekizumab: subcutaneous solution.

Serious side effects of ixekizumab

Along with its needed effects, ixekizumab may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ixekizumab:

More common side effects

• body aches or pain
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• chills
• cough
• difficulty with breathing
• discharge or excessive tearing
• ear congestion
• fever
• headache
• hoarseness
• itching in the genital or other skin areas
• loss of voice
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• runny or stuffy nose
• scaling of the skin
• sneezing
• sore mouth or tongue
• sore throat
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• white patches in the mouth or on the tongue

Less common side effects

• chest tightness
• diarrhea
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hives, itching, skin rash
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• shivering
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting

Rare side effects

• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• rectal bleeding
• redness of the skin
• severe diarrhea
• severe stomach pain

Other side effects of ixekizumab

Some side effects of ixekizumab may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

For healthcare professionals

Applies to ixekizumab: subcutaneous solution.

General adverse events

Most commonly reported adverse reactions with a frequency of 1% or greater were injection site reactions, upper respiratory tract infections, nausea, and tinea infections.

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Urticaria, herpes simplex (mucocutaneous)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Angioedema, cellulitis, rash, eczema, pruritus, alopecia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, oral herpes, pharyngitis, oropharyngeal pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Oral candidiasis, inflammatory bowel disease, abdominal pain
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Oesophageal candidiasis
• Frequency not reported: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, gastroenteritis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Vulvovaginal candidiasis, menstrual disorder, irregular menstruation, uterine dilation, curettage
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ovarian cyst
• Frequency not reported: Bacterial vaginosis, bartholinitis

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (Up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenia, anemia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria)^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Infections ( Up to 27%), immunogenicity (Up to 22%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Tinea infections, influenza
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Serious infections^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site reactions (Up to 17%)
• Frequency not reported: Erythema, pain
• Postmarketing reports: Esophageal candidiasis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, back pain, myalgia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Musculoskeletal pain, neck pain, non-cardiac chest pain

Nervous system

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Headache, dizziness

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Iridocyclitis, eye pain^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Anti-drug antibodies development
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue, pyrexia

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infections (including nasopharyngitis and rhinovirus infection) (Up to 16%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rhinitis, bronchitis, sinusitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased blood creatine phosphokinase, increased aspartate aminotransferase

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysuria

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Further information

Ixekizumab side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer