Taltz (ixekizumab) is a prescription brand-name medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults with:

In addition, Taltz is also approved for use in children ages 6 years and older with certain types of plaque psoriasis.

If Taltz works for you, your doctor will likely recommend that you take it long term.

Here are some fast facts about Taltz:

  • Active ingredient: ixekizumab, which is a biologic
  • Drug class: interleukin-17A antagonist
  • Drug form: liquid solution given bysubcutaneous injection (injection under your skin)

Like other drugs, Taltz can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Taltz, including details about its uses, see this article.

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 took Taltz in clinical studies:

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

Mild side effects can occur with Taltz use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer Taltz’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Taltz 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” below.

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 that have been reported and their symptoms include:

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

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 redness or discoloration and pain at the injection site.

In clinical studies, injection site reactions were common in people using Taltz. But most injection site reactions that were reported were mild.

What you can do

If you experience injection site reactions that are bothersome to 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’s also referred to as pinkeye. Although conjunctivitis occurred in clinical studies of Taltz, it was a rare side effect. However, children taking Taltz for plaque psoriasis experienced conjunctivitis more often than adults did.

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. In some cases, your doctor may recommend antibiotics to treat your infection. They may also be able to 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, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • 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 keep taking Taltz. 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.

Does Taltz cause weight gain or weight loss?

No, Taltz shouldn’t cause changes in your weight. In clinical studies, people using Taltz didn’t report any weight gain or weight loss.

In some cases, 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.

While using Taltz, talk with your doctor if you experience changes in your weight that concern you.

Is hair loss a side effect of Taltz?

No, you shouldn’t experience hair loss during your Taltz treatment. In clinical studies, this wasn’t a reported side effect in people using Taltz.

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. In clinical studies, itching wasn’t reported by people using Taltz.

However, if you have plaque psoriasis, your condition may cause itching. If you experience itching during your treatment that’s bothersome, 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.

In most cases, the side effects children experience from Taltz are very similar to those seen in adults. However, a study showed that the following side effects might be more common in children than in adults:

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

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take 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 it may not allow your body to fight 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 make your infection worse. Your doctor will likely recommend treating your infection before you start using Taltz.

Allergic reaction. You shouldn’t take 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 use with Taltz

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

In addition, alcohol may make the symptoms of your condition worse. 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’s not known if Taltz may be safe to take during pregnancy. Studies of Taltz haven’t looked at the drug’s use during pregnancy or its effects on a fetus.

In animal studies, there wasn’t an increased risk of harm when pregnant animals were given Taltz. However, if they continued the treatment through childbirth, there was an increased risk of death for the offspring. It’s important to note, though, that animal studies don’t always predict what may happen in humans.

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

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor before using Taltz.

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.