Ixekizumab belongs to a class of monoclonal antibody drugs, commonly used to treat plaque psoriasis and certain types of related arthritis.

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1. What is Ixekizumab?

What does Ixekizumab do?
Ixekizumab is commonly used to treat plaque psoriasis and certain types of arthritis (psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis). Ixekizumab belongs to a class of monoclonal antibody drugs that work by blocking interleukin-17A, a certain naturally occurring protein in the body that causes inflammation and swelling.

2. Dosage and usage

Before prescribing Ixekizumab treatment , the doctor will ask the patient to be tested for tuberculosis . In addition, the doctor also monitors the symptoms of tuberculosis during and after the patient is treated with Ixekizumab. It is generally recommended that patients be treated for tuberculosis or other infections prior to treatment with Ixekizumab. Ixekizumab is usually given by injection under the skin as directed by your doctor. The injection site is usually in the upper arm, thigh or abdomen (at least 2.5cm from the navel). Dosage is indicated based on the patient's medical condition and response to treatment. Dosage for young children is also based on weight. Follow your doctor's instructions and dosing instructions carefully. If you are taking Ixekizumab at home, read the instructions for use on the package and the product package carefully before injecting it. Steps to inject drugs include: Wash hands before contacting and handling the drug. Remove the medication from the refrigerator 30 minutes before injection to allow it to return to room temperature naturally. Do not warm this medication in any other way, such as by heating it in a microwave, placing it in hot water, or leaving it in direct sunlight. Do not shake the medicine. Before use, inspect this product visually for cloudiness, particles, or discoloration. The medicine should be clear or slightly yellow. If you see any unusual signs, do not use the liquid. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site with each injection to reduce subcutaneous damage. Do not inject into skin that is irritated, sore, bruised, red, hard, or affected by psoriasis. To reduce bruising, do not rub the injection site after the injection. Dispose of medical supplies safely and do not reuse syringes. Ixekizumab should be used regularly on schedule to achieve the best treatment effect. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or tends to get worse.

3. Undesirable effects

Like many other drugs, Ixekizumab can also bring some side effects such as: redness, irritation or pain at the injection site. Cold symptoms (such as runny nose, stuffy nose, cough) may also occur. Ixekizumab may decrease the body's ability to fight infections. This can make the person more susceptible to serious (rarely fatal) infections or make any existing infections worse. Therefore, if the patient sees any signs of infection such as a sore throat or cough that does not go away, fever, chills, etc., they should immediately notify the doctor. Tell your doctor if you experience any serious side effects such as: stomach pain, upset stomach, diarrhea, bloody or mucusy stools. Allergic reactions to Ixekizumab are also rare. However, if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction such as: Itching and swelling in the face, tongue, throat, severe dizziness, rash, difficulty breathing, etc., seek medical help as soon as possible. .

4. Caution

Before taking Ixekizumab , note the following:
If you are allergic to any of its ingredients or have any other allergic condition, tell your doctor immediately; Talk to your doctor about your medical history before taking this medication, especially any current or recent infections, re-infections (such as tuberculosis, Herpes disease), intestinal diseases (such as Crohn's disease, etc.) ulcerative colitis). As mentioned above, Ixekizumab can affect the body's ability to fight infections. Therefore, avoid contact with people who are suffering from contagious infections such as chickenpox, measles, flu... and do not vaccinate (vaccinated) without the consent of the doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received a live vaccine (eg, nasal flu vaccine). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to a source of infection or for more details. Before surgery, it is necessary to inform the doctor about all medicines the patient is taking (including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and herbal products); For pregnant women, Ixekizumab should only be used when absolutely necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits of the medication with your doctor. It is not known whether Ixekizumab passes into breast milk. Therefore, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

5. Some notes

Overdose : If you use Ixekizumab overdose and you see symptoms such as fainting or difficulty breathing, the patient should be taken to the emergency room immediately. Patients are encouraged to perform periodic blood count tests...to check for side effects and drug effectiveness. Missed dose: In order for the drug to be most effective, the patient should inject the drug on the prescribed schedule. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for instructions on a new injection schedule. Do not take a double dose to catch up. Storage: Store Ixekizumab in the refrigerator. No freezing. If Ixekizumab is removed from the refrigerator and stored at room temperature, use it within 5 days of taking it out of the refrigerator or before the expiration date indicated on the box, whichever is earlier. Do not put Ixekizumab at room temperature back into the refrigerator. Keep the medicine in the original carton to avoid exposure to light. Remove the excess after taking the medicine.

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Reference source: Webmd