bimekizumab at a glance
Medicine class
Interleukin inhibitor and humanised monoclonal antibody.
Licensed uses
Plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis and hidradenitis suppurativa in adults meeting the licence criteria.
How it is given
Injection under the skin using a pre-filled device; self-injection is possible after appropriate training.
Storage
Keep refrigerated, protected from light and do not freeze. It may be kept at up to 25°C for one period of up to 25 days.
Vaccines
Live vaccines should not be given during treatment; non-live vaccines may be used.
What is bimekizumab used for?
Bimekizumab is licensed for specialist treatment of these adult conditions:
Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis when systemic treatment is appropriate.
Active psoriatic arthritis after an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; it may be used alone or with methotrexate.
Active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective evidence of inflammation after inadequate response or intolerance to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Active ankylosing spondylitis after inadequate response or intolerance to conventional treatment.
Active moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa after an inadequate response to conventional systemic treatment.
How does bimekizumab work?
Bimekizumab binds to interleukin-17A, interleukin-17F and their combined form, preventing them from activating their receptor and reducing inflammatory signalling.
bimekizumab preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 160 mg, 320 mg
How to take bimekizumab
Bimekizumab is injected under the skin by a clinician, trained caregiver or patient who has received training and agreement from the specialist.
Use the abdomen or thigh; only a healthcare professional or caregiver should use the upper arm.
Rotate injection sites and avoid tender, bruised, red, hard or affected skin.
Do not shake the pre-filled pen.
Check that the solution is clear to slightly opalescent and colourless to pale brownish-yellow, without particles.
Allow the refrigerated pen to reach room temperature naturally; do not microwave it or place it in hot water.
Put used devices directly into an appropriate sharps container.
bimekizumab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Upper respiratory infections, such as a sore throat or blocked nose
- Oral or throat thrush
- Fungal skin infections or vaginal thrush
- Ear infection, cold sores, gastroenteritis or inflamed hair follicles
- Headache or tiredness
- Rash, eczema-like dermatitis or acne
- Injection-site redness, pain, swelling or bruising
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms of a serious infection, including fever, persistent cough, breathlessness or hot and painful skin
- Breathing difficulty or swelling of the face, mouth or throat
- New or worsening inflammatory bowel disease symptoms, including blood in the stool, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or weight loss
- Unusually severe or persistent fungal infection
bimekizumab in pregnancy
Pregnancy data are limited, so the UK product information advises avoiding bimekizumab during pregnancy as a precaution. Effective contraception is advised during treatment and for at least 17 weeks afterwards. Discuss pregnancy planning or an unexpected pregnancy promptly with the specialist team.
bimekizumab while breastfeeding
It is not known whether bimekizumab passes into human milk, and risk to a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. The specialist and patient should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding against those of treatment.
bimekizumab interactions
Formal interaction studies are limited. Important considerations include:
Live vaccines
Do not give during bimekizumab treatment because of its effects on immune function.
Warfarin and other narrow-therapeutic-index CYP450 substrates
Reduced inflammation may alter exposure, so therapeutic monitoring should be considered when bimekizumab is started.
Methotrexate and other conventional DMARDs
Available pharmacokinetic analyses found no clinically relevant effect on bimekizumab clearance.
Common questions about bimekizumab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is bimekizumab a biologic medicine?
Yes. It is a humanised monoclonal antibody that blocks inflammatory interleukin signalling.
Can I inject bimekizumab myself?
Potentially, after training and agreement from the prescribing clinician.
Can I have vaccines while using bimekizumab?
Non-live vaccines may be given, but live vaccines should not be used during treatment. Check with the specialist team first.
Can bimekizumab worsen inflammatory bowel disease?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.