Formulary
Risankizumab: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Risankizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that binds selectively to interleukin-23 and blocks the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Risankizumab: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Risankizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that binds selectively to interleukin-23 and blocks the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Drug action
Risankizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that binds selectively to interleukin-23 and blocks the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Indications and dose
**Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (specialist use only),Psoriatic arthritis (specialist use only)**
- **Adult** (By Subcutaneous Injection): Initially 150 mg, then 150 mg after 4 weeks, then maintenance 150 mg every 12 weeks, consider discontinuation if no response after 16 weeks.
**Crohn's disease (under expert supervision) for risankizumab**
- **Child 16-17 years** (Initially by intravenous infusion): Initially 600 mg every 4 weeks for 3 doses, to be given on weeks 0, 4, and 8, then (by subcutaneous injection) maintenance 360 mg every 8 weeks, first subcutaneous dose to be given on week 12, consider discontinuation if no response after 24 weeks.
Cautions
Chronic infection; history of recurrent infection; risk of infection Cautions, further information Risk of infection Manufacturer advises consider anti-tuberculosis therapy before initiation of risankizumab in patients with a history of latent or active tuberculosis in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed. Manufacturer advises consider completion of immunisations according to current guidelines before initiating treatment (consult product literature for appropriate interval between vaccination and administration of risankizumab).
Contraindications
Clinically significant active infection
Side effects
General side-effects: Common or very common Increased risk of infection Specific side-effects: Common or very common With parenteral use Asthenia; headaches; malaise; skin reactions
Interactions
**Other interactions (2):**
- Interactions between risankizumab and inhibitors, inducers, or substrates of medicinal product metabolising enzymes are not expected, and no dose adjustment is needed (see section 5.2).
- Concomitant immunosuppressive therapy or phototherapy The safety and efficacy of risankizumab in combination with immunosuppressants, including biologics or phototherapy, have not been evaluated.
Pregnancy
Manufacturer advises avoid (limited information available).
Breast feeding
Manufacturer advises avoid (no information available).
Medicinal forms
Solution,Solution
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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