Plaque Psoriasis Has a New Treatment

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new treatment for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

That treatment is Taltz (ixekizumab). This medication works by blocking the inflammatory process responsible for the development of plaque psoriasis.

Eli Lilly and Company's Taltz was approved to treat adults who have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet, or UV, light).

Taltz is available as an injection and is to be administered under the skin.

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes patches of thick, red skin with flaky, silvery scales. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis.

Like other medications that work on the immune system, Taltz can increase the risk of infections, allergic reactions and inflammatory bowel disease.

Taltz was assessed for safety and effectiveness in three clinical trials that included a total of 3,866 patients.

Common side effects of Taltz included injection-site reactions, upper respiratory tract infections, nausea and fungal infections.