Side Effects of Taltz: What You Need to Know
Taltz is a prescription drug used to treat psoriasis and certain kinds of arthritis. Taltz can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include injection site reactions, serious infections, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Taltz is used in to treat:
- axial spondyloarthritis in adults
- ankylosing spondylitis in adults
- psoriatic arthritis in adults
- plaque psoriasis in adults and some children
The active ingredient in Taltz is ixekizumab. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled syringes and autoinjectors for injection under the skin.
Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Taltz can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.
Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Taltz treatment. Examples of Taltz’s commonly reported side effects include:
- injection site reactions, such as pain*
- fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot
- nausea
- upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
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These are just a few of the side effects Taltz injections may cause. Read on to learn about the drug’s other possible mild and serious side effects.
You may have mild side effects with Taltz.
Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Taltz include:
- injection site reactions, such as pain*
- hives*
- fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot
- nausea
- upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold
- pink eye
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop using Taltz unless your doctor recommends it.
Taltz may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Taltz prescribing information for details.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Taltz, visit MedWatch.
Taltz may cause rare but serious side effects.
Serious side effects that have been reported with Taltz include:
- serious infections, such as pneumonia
- allergic reaction*
- inflammatory bowel disease*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
If you develop serious side effects while using Taltz, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Taltz is used to treat plaque psoriasis in children ages 6 years and older.
Most side effects of Taltz are expected to be the same for children as for adults. But some of Taltz’s side effects may be more common in children. Examples include:
- pink eye
- hives*
- upper respiratory infections, such as influenza (the flu)
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below
To learn more about your child’s risk of side effects from Taltz, talk with their doctor.
Learn more about some of the side effects Taltz may cause.
Injection site reaction
Injection site reactions are the most common side effects of Taltz. These are reactions that happen in the area where Taltz is injected. Examples include pain and discoloration of the skin.
What might help
To lower your risk of injection site reactions, inject each dose of Taltz into a different area from your previous injection. You can inject Taltz into your upper thighs or belly. Or a friend or caregiver can inject Taltz into the back of your upper arms.
Don’t inject Taltz into an area of skin that’s bruised, hardened, or tender. And it’s best to avoid injecting the drug into a patch of skin that shows symptoms of psoriasis.
If you have bothersome injection site reactions from Taltz, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest other ways to ease your symptoms.
Allergic reaction
Like 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 eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest treatments to help manage your symptoms. These can include an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine you swallow, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream.
If your doctor confirms you had a mild allergic reaction to Taltz, they’ll decide whether you should continue using it.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Taltz, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a rare but serious side effect of Taltz. If you already have IBD, using Taltz may worsen your condition.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two types of IBD reported in studies of the drug.
Symptoms of IBD can include:
- diarrhea
- stomach cramping, pain, or bloating
- bloody stool
- weight loss
What might help
If you have symptoms of IBD during Taltz treatment, tell your doctor. They may recommend tests to check for IBD. If you develop new or worsening IBD, your doctor may have you stop Taltz treatment.
If you already have IBD before starting treatment with Taltz, tell your doctor. They may recommend a treatment other than Taltz for your condition.
Hives
In rare cases, you may develop hives while using Taltz.
Hives are raised areas of skin that are often red or discolored. They can be small or large, and they can appear in batches all over your skin. Hives may cause symptoms such as itching and stinging.
Keep in mind that hives can also be a sign of a mild allergic reaction, which is another possible side effect of Taltz. For details, see the “Allergic reaction” section above.
What might help
If you have symptoms of hives while using Taltz, tell your doctor right away. They may want to examine you to make sure you aren’t having a more serious allergic reaction.
You can ease symptoms of hives with OTC antihistamines you swallow, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine). But before you take any new medications with Taltz, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They’ll make sure these drugs don’t interact with Taltz.
- what dose of drug you were taking when you had the side effect
- how soon after starting that dose you had the side effect
- what your symptoms were from the side effect
- how it affected your daily activities
- what other medications you were also taking
- any other information you feel is important
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Taltz’s side effects.
Does Taltz cause weight gain or weight loss?
No, Taltz isn’t known to cause weight gain or weight loss. Weight changes weren’t reported as side effects in studies of the drug.
But serious infections and inflammatory bowel disease* are known to cause weight loss. And these are rare but serious side effects of Taltz. If you have weight loss while using Taltz, talk with your doctor right away. They may ask if you’re having other symptoms of these conditions.
If you’re concerned about weight changes while using Taltz, talk with your doctor. They can advise on healthy ways to manage your weight.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section above.
Is hair loss a side effect of Taltz?
It isn’t likely. Hair loss wasn’t reported as a side effect in studies of Taltz.
Taltz treats psoriasis, which can affect the scalp. And this can lead to temporary hair loss. So it’s possible you may have hair loss while using Taltz to treat this condition. But the hair loss is likely a result of the psoriasis, not Taltz itself.
If you have questions about your risk of hair loss while using Taltz, talk with your doctor.
Does Taltz cause liver problems?
No, Taltz isn’t known to cause liver problems. These side effects weren’t reported in studies of the drug.
Among other conditions, Taltz is used to treat psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis. Other medications used to treat these conditions are known to cause liver problems. An example is Trexall (methotrexate).
If you’re concerned about your risk of liver problems while using Taltz, talk with your doctor.
Taltz may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Before you start Taltz treatment, talk with your doctor about your health history. The list below includes factors to consider.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This drug can cause new or worsening IBD, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. If you have IBD, tell your doctor before starting Taltz. Your doctor will let you know whether it’s safe for you to use Taltz.
Infections. Taltz can weaken your immune system, which can lessen your ability to fight infections. If you have an active infection, be sure to tell your doctor before starting Taltz. Your doctor may temporarily delay treatment with Taltz until after your infection is treated.
Before you start using Taltz, your doctor will test you for tuberculosis (TB). If you have TB, they’ll delay your Taltz treatment until your TB is treated. It’s also recommended that you get any vaccines that you need before starting Taltz treatment.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Taltz or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Taltz. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
Alcohol use and Taltz
There aren’t any known safety issues with drinking alcohol while using Taltz.
However, drinking alcohol may trigger a flare-up of certain conditions that Taltz treats. These include ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis. If you know alcohol is a trigger for your condition, it may be best to limit your alcohol intake while you’re using Taltz.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much you may be able to consume while using Taltz.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Taltz
It’s not known if Taltz is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor before using Taltz. They can discuss with you the risks and benefits of using the drug during these times.
Note that a pregnancy registry is available for this drug. If you use Taltz during pregnancy, you may want to enroll in the registry. The purpose of a pregnancy registry is to collect information about the safety of a drug when taken during pregnancy. For more information about Taltz’s pregnancy registry, call 800-284-1695.
Taltz is used to treat psoriasis and certain types of arthritis. Some people may have mild side effects while using the drug. In rare cases, others may have more serious side effects, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
If you have questions about side effects from Taltz, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Below are a few questions you may want to ask:
- Does Taltz cause any long-term side effects?
- How can I manage side effects I may have with Taltz?
- What amount of alcohol is safe for me to drink while using Taltz?
To learn more about Taltz, see these articles:
- All About Taltz
- Dosage for Taltz: What You Need to Know
To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Austra Health’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.
