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Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa)

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By Editorial Team

2 min read

Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Last reviewed: October 2023 | Last updated: October 2023

Skyrizi® (risankizumab-rzaa) is a prescription drug used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy. Systemic drugs are powerful medicines that affect the whole body, not just the skin. Phototherapy involves controlled exposure of your affected skin to ultraviolet light.1,2

What are the ingredients in Skyrizi?

The active ingredient in Skyrizi is risankizumab-rzaa.1

How does Skyrizi work?

Skyrizi is a type of drug known as an IL-23 inhibitor because it blocks the action of interleukin-23 (IL-23). IL-23 is a protein that plays a key role in inflammation that leads to plaques on the skin. People with psoriasis may make too much IL-23. By blocking IL-23, Skyrizi can help reduce the symptoms of plaque psoriasis.1

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What are the possible side effects?

The most common side effects of Skyrizi in people treated for plaque psoriasis include:1

  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Headache
  • Feeling tired
  • Injection site reactions
  • Fungal skin infections

These are not all the possible side effects of Skyrizi. Talk to your doctor about what to expect when taking Skyrizi. You also should call your doctor if you have any changes that concern you when taking Skyrizi.

Other things to know

Before starting treatment with Skyrizi, tell your doctor if you have:1

  • An infection that does not go away or keeps coming back.
  • Tuberculosis (TB) or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
  • Recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccines. You should not receive certain vaccines right before, during, or right after treatment with Skyrizi. Tell your doctor that you are receiving Skyrizi before receiving any vaccines.

There is not enough data to know if Skyrizi is safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Before starting treatment with Skyrizi, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. They can help you decide if Skyrizi is right for you.1

Because Skyrizi affects the immune system, it can decrease your ability to fight infection. For this reason, your doctor will test you for TB before starting treatment with Skyrizi. They will also watch you for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with Skyrizi.1

Adults with psoriasis receive Skyrizi as an injection under the skin using a prefilled pen or prefilled syringe. Your doctor will teach you how to inject Skyrizi.1

Before beginning treatment for plaque psoriasis, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and any other drugs, vitamins, or supplements you are taking. This includes over-the-counter drugs.

For more information, read the full prescribing information of Skyrizi.