ixekizumab: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Initiate and supervise treatment through a clinician experienced in the licensed condition.
• Assess for active, chronic or recurrent infection and tuberculosis before treatment.
• Review inflammatory bowel disease history and vaccination requirements.
• Consider the limited evidence in severe renal or hepatic impairment and in people aged 75 years or older.

Contraindications and cautions

• Serious hypersensitivity to ixekizumab or an excipient.
• Clinically important active infection, including active tuberculosis.

Monitoring

• Record the product name and batch number for biological traceability.
• Monitor for infections and interrupt treatment if infection becomes serious or does not respond to standard management.
• Monitor for immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reactions.
• Ask about new or worsening abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss or rectal bleeding.
• Review clinical response and ongoing treatment suitability.

Clinical pharmacology

Ixekizumab is an IgG4 monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralises IL-17A and IL-17A/F. It is expected to undergo catabolic degradation into peptides and amino acids.

Formulation and product differences

• The pre-filled pen is disposable and single-use, containing a clear, colourless to slightly yellow solution.
• A pre-filled syringe also exists. Preparation of a smaller paediatric amount must be performed by a qualified healthcare professional using the appropriate syringe, not the pen.
• The current formulation contains polysorbate 80, which may cause allergic reactions, and should not be shaken.

Injection

Route: Parenteral

Strengths: 80 mg