risankizumab at a glance
Medicine class
Humanised monoclonal antibody and selective interleukin-23 inhibitor
Main uses
Plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
How it is given
By injection under the skin or intravenous infusion, depending on the condition and formulation
Important precaution
Clinically important active infections, including active tuberculosis, must be addressed before treatment
What is risankizumab used for?
The selected products support specialist treatment of the following licensed conditions:
Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic treatment.
Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in children and adolescents from 6 years who are candidates for systemic treatment.
Active psoriatic arthritis in adults after an inadequate response or intolerance to disease-modifying antirheumatic treatment; it may be used alone or with methotrexate.
Moderately-to-severely active Crohn’s disease from 16 years after inadequate response, loss of response or intolerance to conventional or biological treatment, or when such treatment is inadvisable.
Moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis in adults after inadequate response, loss of response or intolerance to conventional or biological treatment.
How does risankizumab work?
Risankizumab binds selectively to the p19 component of interleukin-23 without binding interleukin-12. This prevents IL-23 receptor signalling and reduces the release of inflammatory mediators involved in skin, joint and bowel inflammation.
risankizumab preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 600 mg
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 150 mg, 180 mg, 360 mg
How to take risankizumab
The formulation and route depend on the condition. Intravenous concentrate is prepared and administered by healthcare professionals; the pre-filled syringe is injected under the skin and may be self-administered after training.
For subcutaneous use, follow the device instructions and inject into the thigh or abdomen; the upper outer arm should be used only by a healthcare professional or caregiver.
Avoid skin that is tender, bruised, red, hardened or affected by psoriasis.
Allow the refrigerated syringe to reach room temperature in its carton and away from direct sunlight before use.
Do not shake it. Do not use solution that is cloudy, discoloured or contains large particles.
risankizumab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Upper respiratory infections, such as a sore throat, runny nose or sinus symptoms
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Itching, rash or eczema
- Fungal skin infections
- Injection- or infusion-site reactions
Get urgent medical advice
- Serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis
- Clinically important or serious infection
risankizumab in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited, so the product information advises avoiding risankizumab during pregnancy as a precaution. Anyone pregnant, planning pregnancy or who could become pregnant should discuss treatment and contraception with their specialist; effective contraception is advised during treatment and afterwards.
risankizumab while breastfeeding
It is not known whether risankizumab enters human milk. A specialist should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding and disease control against possible infant exposure, particularly in the first days after birth.
risankizumab interactions
Conventional metabolic interactions are not expected, but immune treatments and vaccination require specific consideration.
Live vaccines
Do not give during treatment or afterwards; vaccination plans should be reviewed before treatment starts.
Other biological treatments or immunosuppressants
Combination safety and effectiveness have generally not been established, so concurrent treatment requires specialist review.
Common questions about risankizumab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is risankizumab a biologic treatment?
Yes. It is a humanised monoclonal antibody that selectively blocks IL-23 signalling.
What conditions is risankizumab licensed to treat?
The selected products cover plaque psoriasis, adult psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease from age 16 and adult ulcerative colitis, subject to the specific licence criteria.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.