Living with chronic conditions like psoriasis and certain forms of arthritis can be challenging. Fortunately, advances in medical treatment bring new hope every day.
One such advance is Taltz (ixekizumab), an injectable biologic drug that is making a difference for many patients.
Below you will learn what Taltz is, how it works, and how to handle and store it if it has been prescribed for you.
What is the drug Taltz?
Taltz is the brand name for ixekizumab , a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis , and active non-radiographic axial spondylarthritis.
It is an injectable medication that can only be administered with a prescription and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. Like all medications , Taltz can cause side effects, including injection site reactions, upper respiratory tract infections, nausea, fungal infections, and others. The Taltz manufacturer is Eli Lilly .
How does Taltz work?
Ixekizumab, the active ingredient in Taltz, belongs to a class of medicines called interleukin inhibitors , such as Kevzara (sarilumab), Actemra (tocilizumab), Cosentyx (secukinumab), Skyrizi (risankizumab) or Stelara (ustekinumab).
It acts directly on the immune system , the body's defense mechanism against harmful substances - and it does so in a very effective way. Unfortunately, in some people with chronic autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis or arthritis, the immune system becomes overactive. As a result, it starts attacking the body's own healthy cells. This leads to inflammation and symptoms such as red, scaly patches on the skin, in the case of psoriasis.
Taltz targets a specific protein in the body called interleukin 17A that is responsible for this inflammation. By blocking the action of this protein, Taltz helps reduce inflammation and relieve the symptoms of psoriasis and other diseases.
Injecting Taltz: Learn how to do it properly.
Taltz is given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin, usually in the abdomen or thighs).
The typical Taltz dose is one injection every two weeks for the first 12 weeks and then once every four weeks thereafter. Patients are responsible for administering Taltz to themselves in the comfort of their own home. It is important that you take Taltz exactly as directed by your doctor and contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. The following information is general in nature and may not apply to all patients.
Taltz prefilled pens vs. Taltz syringes
Taltz is available in both pre-filled pens and pre-filled syringes . These injection devices are single-dose and disposable syringes . Each product comes with specific instructions for use, which you will find inside the packaging.
Prefilled syringes are standard syringes that are filled with the correct dose of medication. Prefilled pens are designed to make self-injection a little easier. They are also prefilled with the exact dose of ixekizumab, but unlike syringes, they have a spring-loaded mechanism that inserts the needle and automatically dispenses the medication when you press a button. This makes them more convenient, especially for people who are afraid of handling needles or have problems with dexterity.
Choosing between Taltz prefilled pens and Taltz syringes depends primarily on personal preference. Your healthcare provider will help you decide which option is best for you.
Where do you inject the dose of Taltz?
Ixekizumab must be injected subcutaneously, that is, into the fatty layer of tissue just beneath the skin . Common sites for injecting Taltz are therefore the front of the thighs, the lower part of the abdomen (at least 5 cm from the belly button), or the upper outer arms .
Always clean the injection site before injecting. Avoid injecting into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard. If you feel uncomfortable or are unsure how to inject Taltz, do not hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for help.
How long does it take for Taltz to work?
How long it takes for Taltz (ixekizumab) to work depends on the individual, and everyone reacts differently to a medication. In clinical trials, some patients began to see improvements in psoriasis symptoms as early as two weeks after taking Taltz.
In general, you can expect significant improvement within 12 weeks of starting Taltz treatment.
However, continue taking the medication as directed by your healthcare provider even if you do not see immediate results. Some people may take longer to respond to Taltz than others.
How do you store Taltz?
Like most injections for psoriasis and arthritis, Taltz is a biologic medicine made from parts of living organisms. Because of their nature and complex structure , biologic medicines must be refrigerated .
Refrigeration helps keep them stable and effective until their expiration date and prevents the growth of bacteria. Taltz is no exception.
Instructions for cooling and storing Taltz
According to Eli Lilly and Company, the manufacturer of Taltz, the prefilled pens and syringes must be stored in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C until use. In addition, Taltz must be stored in its original carton to protect it from light .
If you store Taltz in the refrigerator, make sure it is not too close to the freezer, as freezing temperatures can also destroy the medicine. Never use a frozen Taltz pen or syringe, even if they have been thawed.
How long can Taltz be stored outside the refrigerator?
Fortunately, the storage instructions for Taltz are quite flexible. When refrigeration is not possible, such as when traveling, Taltz can be stored at room temperature, no higher than 30°C, for up to 5 days .
However , the medicine cannot be put back in the refrigerator once it has reached room temperature.
Therefore, always write down the date you first took your Taltz pen or syringe out of the refrigerator. If you do not use the pen or syringe within 5 days, throw it away, even if there is still medicine in it.
Traveling with Taltz syringes, prefilled pens, pens
Traveling with Taltz (ixekizumab) or other refrigerated medications can present some challenges.
The main problem is maintaining the right temperature to maintain the effectiveness of the medication, especially during long-distance travel, in hot climates, and during outdoor activities where access to electricity is limited. Most people opt to use a travel cooler for medication .
Taltz travel coolers
4AllFamily specializes in developing powerful, reliable travel coolers for people whose lives or comfort depend on refrigerated medications like Taltz.
Our medical-grade cooler bags and travel fridges can keep Taltz Pens cool for anywhere from a few hours to several days while traveling! Choose your cooler bag today and never risk throwing away your medication due to poor storage conditions again!
If you have any questions about our products or need help choosing the best product for you, don't hesitate to contact our support team! We're here to help!
