Taltz (ixekizumab) is a brand-name injectable medication prescribed for certain conditions, such as plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and others. As with other drugs, Taltz can cause side effects, such as injection site reactions.

Taltz can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who received Taltz in clinical studies:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Mild side effects can occur during Taltz treatment. This list does not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Taltz’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that people injecting Taltz have reported include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Taltz and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Taltz may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Taltz’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects during your Taltz treatment, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects and their symptoms that people receiving Taltz have reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”
† This side effect was not reported in clinical studies of Taltz, but it was reported after the drug became available.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Taltz may cause.

Injection site reaction

Some people may experience injection site reactions during their Taltz treatment. These are side effects that can occur in the area where you inject Taltz. The most common injection site reactions are skin discoloration and pain at the injection site.

People injectingTaltz in clinical studies commonly reported injection site reactions. However, most people reported that these injection site reactions were mild.

What you can do

If you experience injection site reactions that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to recommend ways to decrease your side effects, such as taking an over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol (acetaminophen).

Conjunctivitis

Taltz may cause conjunctivitis, an eye infection that people also refer to as pinkeye. Although conjunctivitis occurred in clinical studies of Taltz, it was a rare side effect. However, children receiving Taltz injections for plaque psoriasis experienced conjunctivitis more often than adults.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis may include:

  • red or pink eye
  • watery eyes
  • itchy eyes
  • mucus in the corners of your eye

What you can do

If you develop symptoms of conjunctivitis, see your doctor. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend antibiotics to treat your infection. They may also suggest ways to reduce the discomfort that conjunctivitis may cause.

Nausea

Nausea can occur during treatment with Taltz. This was a common side effect reported in clinical studies of Taltz.

What you can do

If you experience nausea during your Taltz treatment, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to relieve this side effect.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Taltz can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing (temporary warmth, discoloration of the skin)
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should continue treatment withTaltz. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Taltz may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Taltz cause cancer?

No, Taltz does not cause cancer. People using Taltz in clinical studies did not report cancer.

However, other drugs prescribed for similar conditions as Taltz can increase the risk of cancer. For example, ustekinumab (Stelara) is used to treat plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in certain people. In clinical studies, people receiving Stelara have reported an increased risk of cancer, such as prostate, colorectal, and breast cancer. These are rare but serious side effects of Stelara.

If you’re concerned about cancer during your Taltz treatment, talk with your doctor.

Is Taltz a high risk medication?

No, Taltz is not a high risk medicationTrusted Source. A medication is considered to be high risk if it is more likely to cause harm when used incorrectly.

Certain other drugs that are used for psoriasis and arthritis are high risk medications. For example, methotrexate (Jylamvo, Trexall, and others) is a type of chemotherapy that doctors may prescribe for certain types of psoriasis, arthritis, and other conditions. Methotrexate is considered to be a high risk medication because it can increase the risk of harm or death.

Taltz belongs to a drug class called interleukin-17A blockers. This group of drugs can cause side effects and increase certain risks. However, drugs in this class are not considered to be high risk medications.

If you have questions about the risks involving Taltz treatment, talk with your doctor.

Does Taltz cause weight gain or weight loss?

No, Taltz should not affect your weight. In clinical studies, people using Taltz did not report any weight gain or weight loss.

Sometimes, other medications that you may use to treat your condition may cause weight gain. For example, steroid drugs such as prednisone (Rayos) may cause weight gain.

Talk with your doctor if you experience changes in your weight that concern you during Taltz treatment.

Is hair loss a side effect of Taltz?

No, you should not experience hair loss during your Taltz treatment. People injecting Taltz in clinical studies did not report this side effect.

However, if you have plaque psoriasis that affects your scalp, this can cause hair loss. In addition, other medications that you may use to treat your condition, such as adalimumab (Humira), may cause hair loss.

If you’re concerned about hair loss during your Taltz treatment, talk with your doctor.

Can Taltz treatment cause itching?

No, Taltz doesn’t cause itching. People using Taltz in clinical studies did not report itching.

However, if you have plaque psoriasis, your condition may cause itching. Doctors prescribe Taltz to treat other conditions, which may also cause itching. These conditions include:

In addition, itchiness could be a symptom of serious eczematous eruptions. These are skin reactions that resemble eczema and can lead to hospitalization. This side effect was not reported in clinical studies of Taltz, but it has occurred since the drug became available.

If you experience bothersome itching during your treatment, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause of your itching and the best way to treat it.

Taltz is approved for use in certain children with plaque psoriasis.

Usually, the side effects children experience from Taltz are very similar to those seen in adults. However, a clinical studyshowed that children might experience the following side effects more often than adults:

* To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before starting treatment with Taltz. This drug may not be the correct treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Active infections, including tuberculosis: Taltz affects your immune system and may prevent your body from fighting infections like it usually would. If you have any active infections, including tuberculosis, tell your doctor before you start your Taltz treatment. This drug may worsen your infection. Your doctor will likely recommend treating your infection before you start injecting Taltz. They will also recommend that you receive all age-appropriate vaccines before starting Taltz treatment.

Allergic reaction: You shouldn’t inject Taltz If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Taltz or any of its ingredients. Talk with your doctor about which other treatments are better choices for you.

Inflammatory bowel disease: Taltz may cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If you already have IBD, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, Taltz may worsen your condition. Before you start treatment with Taltz, tell your doctor if you have IBD. They may monitor you more closely during your treatment or recommend a different treatment option for you.

Alcohol with Taltz

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Taltz. However, drinking alcohol may cause reduced immune system activity. Because Taltz also lowers immune system activity, drinking alcohol during your treatment could raise your risk of infection.

In addition, alcohol may worsen the symptoms of your condition. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much alcohol, if any, may be safe to consume during your Taltz treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Taltz

It is unknown whether Taltz may be safe to inject during pregnancy. Studies of Taltz have not looked at the drug’s use during pregnancy or its effects on a fetus.

Animal studies did not indicate an increased risk of harm when pregnant animals were given Taltz. However, if they continued the treatment through delivery, the offspring had an increased risk of death. However, it is important to note that animal studies don’t always predict what may happen in humans.

It is also unknown whether Taltz is safe to use while breastfeeding. This is because it’s unknown if the drug passes into breast milk or what effects it may have on a child who is breastfed. In animal studies, Taltz was present in breast milk. However, animal studies do not always predict what may happen in humans.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor before injecting Taltz. For more information, you can also refer to this article on Taltz and pregnancy.

Side effects from Taltz can occur but are usually mild. If you’d like to learn more about Taltz, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about the side effects from using this drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.