Prescribing Information for the Patient
Taltz 80 mg pre-filled syringe injectable solution
ixekizumab
Read this entire prescribing information carefully before starting to use this medication, as it contains important information for you.
Taltz contains the active ingredient ixekizumab.
Taltz is used for the treatment of the following inflammatory diseases:
Ixekizumab belongs to a group of medications called interleukin inhibitors (IL). This medication acts by blocking the activity of a protein called IL-17A, which promotes psoriasis and inflammatory diseases of the joints and spine.
Plaque Psoriasis
Taltz is used for the treatment of a skin disorder known as “plaque psoriasis” in adults and in children aged 6 years and older with a body weight of at least 25 kg and in adolescents with moderate to severe disease. Taltz reduces the signs and symptoms of the disease.
The use of Taltz will benefit you because it produces improvements in the appearance of skin lesions and a decrease in symptoms such as scaling, itching, and pain.
Psiatic Arthritis
Taltz is used for the treatment of a disorder known as “psoriatic arthritis” in adults, an inflammatory joint disease, often accompanied by psoriasis. If you have psoriatic arthritis, you will first receive other medications. If you do not respond sufficiently well or do not tolerate these medications, you will receive Taltz to reduce the signs and symptoms of the disease. Taltz can be used alone or with another medication called methotrexate.
Using Taltz will benefit you by reducing the signs and symptoms of the disease, improving physical function (ability to perform daily normal activities), and slowing joint damage.
Axial Spondyloarthritis
Taltz is used to treat adults with an inflammatory disease that mainly affects the spine and causes inflammation of the spine joints, called axial spondyloarthritis. If the condition is visible on X-rays, it is called "ankylosing spondylitis or radiographic axial spondyloarthritis"; if it occurs in patients without visible signs on X-rays, it is called "non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis". If you have axial spondyloarthritis, you will first be given other medications. If you do not respond sufficiently well to these medications, you will be given Taltz to reduce the signs and symptoms of the disease, decrease inflammation, and improve your physical function.
Do not use Taltz
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor before starting to use Taltz:
Intestinal inflammatory disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
Stop using Taltz and inform your doctor or seek medical attention immediately if you notice abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, weight loss, or blood in the stool (any sign of intestinal problems).
If you are unsure if you are in any of the above situations, consult your doctor or nurse before using Taltz.
Watch for the appearance of infections and allergic reactions
Taltz may potentially cause severe side effects, including infections and allergic reactions. You must watch for the signs of these diseases while using Taltz.
Interrupt the treatment with Taltz and inform your doctor or seek medical attention immediately if you notice any sign of a severe infection or an allergic reaction. These signs are included in section 4 “Severe side effects”.
Children and adolescents
Do not use this medication for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in children under 6 years old because it has not been studied in this age group.
Do not use this medication for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis in children and adolescents under 18years old because the medication has not been studied in this age group.
Other medications and Taltz
Inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor before using this medication.
It is preferable to avoid using Taltz during pregnancy. The effects of this medication on pregnant women are unknown. If you are a fertile woman, it is recommended that you avoid becoming pregnant and use an appropriate contraceptive while using Taltz and for at least 10 weeks after the last dose of Taltz.
If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, consult your doctor before using this medication. You and your doctor must decide if you can breastfeed or use Taltz. Do not do both at the same time.
Driving and operating machines
It is unlikely that Taltz will affect your ability to drive or operate machines.
Taltz contains sodium
This medication contains less than 1mmol of sodium (23mg) per 80mg dose; this is essentially “sodium-free”.
Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medication as indicated by your doctor or nurse. In case of doubt, consult your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist again.
Taltz is administered by a subcutaneous injection. You and your doctor or nurse should decide whether you should inject Taltz yourself.
For use in children with a body weight of 25-50 kg, the 40 mg dose of ixekizumab should be prepared and administered by a qualified healthcare professional.
It is essential that you do not attempt to inject the medication until you have been trained on how to do it by your doctor or nurse. A caregiver can also administer your Taltz injection if they have been properly trained.
Use a reminder method such as notes in a calendar or agenda to help you remember when you have your next dose and avoid missed or repeated doses.
Taltz is a long-term treatment. Your doctor or nurse will monitor your disease state periodically to check if the treatment is having the desired effect.
Each syringe contains a dose of Taltz (80 mg). Each syringe provides only one dose. The syringe should not be shaken.
Read the "Instructions for use" of the syringe carefully before using Taltz.
How much Taltz should be administered and for how long
Your doctor will explain how much Taltz you need and for how long.
Psoriasis in adults
Psoriasis in children (6 years or older and a minimum of 25 kg body weight) and adolescents
The recommended dose administered by subcutaneous injection in children is based on the following weight categories:
Child's body weight | Recommended starting dose (week 0)(in mg) | Recommended dose every 4 weeks (Q4W) thereafter |
More than 50 kg | 160 mg (2 syringes) | 80 mg (1 syringe) |
25-50 kg | 80 mg (1 syringe) | 40 mg (requires dose preparation) |
Dose preparation of 40 mg of ixekizumab in children
The 40 mg doses of ixekizumab should be prepared and administered by a qualified healthcare professional.
The use of Taltz in children with a body weight less than 25 kg is not recommended.
Psoriatic arthritis
For patients with psoriatic arthritis who also have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis:
For the rest of patients with psoriatic arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
The recommended dose is 160 mg (2 syringes of 80 mg each) by subcutaneous injection in week 0, followed by 80 mg (1 syringe) every 4 weeks.
If you use more Taltz than you should
If you have received more Taltz than you should or the dose has been administered earlier than indicated, inform your doctor.
If you forget to use Taltz
If you have forgotten to inject a dose of Taltz, speak with your doctor.
If you interrupt treatment with Taltz
You should not interrupt the use of Taltz without speaking with your doctor first. If you stop treatment, the symptoms of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis may reappear.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Severe side effects
Stop treatment with Taltz and consult your doctor or seek immediate medical assistance if you notice any of the following side effects. Your doctor will decide whether you should and when you can restart treatment:
Possible severe infection(may affect up to 1 in 100people)– symptoms may include:
Severe allergic reaction(may affect up to 1 in 1000people) – symptomsmay include:
Other reported side effects:
Very common(may affect more than 1 in 10people)
Common(may affect up to 1 in 10people)
Uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100people)
Rare(may affect up to 1 in 1000people)
Reporting side effects
If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible side effect that does not appear in this leaflet.You can also report them directly through thenational notification system included in theAppendix V. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information about the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the syringe label and on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Store in refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze. Do not push to the back of the refrigerator.
Store in the original packaging to protect it from light.
Taltz can be left out of the refrigerator for up to 5days at a temperature not exceeding 30°C.
Do not use this medication if you observe that the syringe is damaged or the medication appears cloudy, is clearly brown in color, or contains particles inside.
This medication is for single use only.
Medications should not be disposed of through drains. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse how to dispose of the packaging and medications that you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Taltz
Each pre-filled syringe contains 80mg of ixekizumab in 1ml of solution.
Appearance of the product and contents of the package
Taltz is a solution in a transparent glass syringe. Its color may vary from transparent to slightly yellow.
Packaging of 1, 2, 3pre-filled syringes. Some package sizes may only be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Eli Lilly and Company (Ireland) Limited, Dunderrow, Kinsale, Co.Cork, Ireland.
Responsible for manufacturing
Eli Lilly Italia S.p.A., Via Gramsci 731/733, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy.
For more information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the marketing authorization holder:
Belgique/België/Belgien Eli Lilly Benelux S.A./N.V. Tél/Tel: + 32-(0)2 548 84 84 | Lietuva Eli Lilly Lietuva Tel. +370 (5) 2649600 |
Bulgaria PharmaServ-Lilly Ltd. Tel: + 359 2 491 41 40 | Luxembourg/Luxemburg Eli Lilly Benelux S.A./N.V. Tél/Tel: + 32-(0)2 548 84 84 |
Česká republika ELI LILLY CR, s.r.o. Tel: + 420 234 664 111 | Magyarország Lilly Hungária Kft. Tel: + 36 1 328 5100 |
Danmark Eli Lilly Danmark A/S Tlf: +45 45 26 60 00 | Malta Charles de Giorgio Ltd. Tel: + 356 25600 500 |
Deutschland Lilly Deutschland GmbH Tel. + 49-(0) 6172273 2222 | Nederland Eli Lilly Nederland B.V. Tel: + 31-(0) 30 60 25 800 |
Eesti Eli Lilly Nederland B.V. Tel:+372 6 817 280 | Norge Eli Lilly Norge A.S. Tlf: + 47 22 88 18 00 |
Ελλάδα ΦΑΡΜΑΣΕΡΒ-ΛΙΛΛΥ Α.Ε.Β.Ε. Τηλ: +30 210 629 4600 | Österreich Eli Lilly Ges.m.b.H. Tel: + 43-(0) 1 711 780 |
España Lilly S.A. Tel: + 34-91 663 50 00 | Polska Eli Lilly Polska Sp. z o.o. Tel: +48 22 440 33 00 |
France Lilly France Tél: +33-(0) 1 55 49 34 34 | Portugal Lilly Portugal Produtos Farmacêuticos, Lda Tel: + 351-21-4126600 |
Hrvatska Eli Lilly Hrvatska d.o.o. Tel: +385 1 2350 999 | România Eli Lilly România S.R.L. Tel: + 40 21 4023000 |
Ireland Eli Lilly and Company (Ireland) Limited Tel: + 353-(0) 1 661 4377 | Slovenija Eli Lilly farmacevtska družba, d.o.o. Tel: +386 (0)1 580 00 10 |
Ísland Icepharma hf. Sími + 354 540 8000 | Slovenská republika Eli Lilly Slovakia s.r.o. Tel: + 421 220 663 111 |
Italia Eli Lilly Italia S.p.A. Tel: + 39- 055 42571 | Suomi/Finland Oy Eli LillyFinland Ab Puh/Tel: + 358-(0) 9 85 45 250 |
Κύπρος Phadisco Ltd Τηλ: +357 22 715000 | Sverige Eli Lilly Sweden AB Tel: + 46-(0) 8 7378800 |
Latvija Eli Lilly (Suisse) S.A Parstavnieciba Latvija Tel:+371 67364000 | United Kingdom(Northern Ireland) Eli Lillyand Company (Ireland) Limited Tel: + 353-(0) 1 661 4377 |
Last review date of this leaflet:
Other sources of information
The detailed information about this medicine is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency:http://www.ema.europa.eu/, and on the website of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Products (AEMPS) (http://www.aemps.gob.es/).
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The following information is intended only for healthcare professionals:
Preparation of 40mg of ixekizumab for children weighing 25 to 50kg
The ixekizumab 40mg doses must be prepared and administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Use only the Taltz 80mg pre-filled syringe when preparing the pediatric doses of 40mg prescribed.
1.Expel all the contents of the pre-filled syringe into a sterile and transparent glass vial. DO NOT shake or rotate the vial.
2.Use a 0.5ml or 1ml disposable syringe and a sterile needle to withdraw the prescribed dose (0.5ml for 40mg) from the vial.
3.Change the needle and use a sterile 27-gauge needle to inject the patient. Dispose of any unused ixekizumab remaining in the vial.
The preparation of ixekizumab must be administered within the next 4hours after piercing the sterile vial at room temperature.
Instructions for use Taltz 80mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe ixekizumab |
Before using your pre-filled syringe:: Important points you need to know |
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE Before using Taltz in pre-filled syringe, read and carefully follow all the steps of the instructions. |
Guide to the syringe components | ||
1 | PREPARE THE INJECTION | |
1a | Take the syringe out of the refrigerator.Leave the needle cap on the syringe until you are ready to inject it. Wait 30minutesfor the syringe to reach room temperature before using it. DO NOTuse any heat source to warm the medicine, such as a microwave, hot water, or direct sunlight. | |
1b | Gather the necessary items for the injection:
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1c | Inspect the pre-filled syringe for any visible damage.Leave the needle cap on the syringe until you are ready to inject it. Check the label. Make sure the name of Taltz appears on the label. The medicine inside should be transparent. The color may vary from transparent to slightly yellow. DO NOTuse the syringe and dispose of it as indicated below in any of the following circumstances:
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1d | Wash your hands before injecting the medicine. | |
1e | Choose your injection site. You can inject in the abdomen (stomach area), the thigh, or the back of the arm. To inject in the arm, you may need help from another person. DO NOTinject in areas where the skin is painful, bruised, red, or hard, or where you have scars or stretch marks.DO NOTinject in the area within 2.5cm around the navel. Alternate the injection site. DO NOTinject in the same spot every time. For example, if your last injection was in the left thigh, your next injection should be in the right thigh, the abdomen, or the back of either arm. | |
1f | Prepare your skin. Clean the skin with an alcohol wipe. Let the area where you will inject dry naturally before injecting the medicine. | |
2 | INJECT | |
2a | Remove and dispose of the needle cap. DO NOTput the needle cap back on - it could damage the needle or cause accidental injury. DO NOTtouch the needle. | |
2b | Gently pinch and hold a fold of skin at the injection site. | |
2c | Insert the needle at a 45degree angle.After gently releasing your skin, make sure the needle stays in place. | |
2d | Push the plunger. Push the plunger slowly until the medicine is fully injected. The grey plunger of the syringe should move to the end of the syringe. Gently remove the needle from your skin. Press a cotton ball or gauze over the injection site.DO NOTrub the injection site, as it may cause bruising. You may experience some bleeding. This is normal. When the injection is complete, you should see the green plunger rod through the body of the syringe. | |
3 | FINISH | |
3a | Dispose of the pre-filled syringe. DO NOTput the needle cap back on - it could damage the needle or cause accidental injury. DO NOTtouch the needle. | |
When disposing of the syringe and sharps container: | ||
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Safety recommendations | ||
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Frequently asked questions | ||
Q. | What happens if I see air bubbles in mysyringe? | |
A. | It is normal to sometimes see air bubbles in the syringe. Taltz is injected under the skin (subcutaneous injection). In this type of injection, air bubbles are not a problem. They will not harm you or affect your dose. | |
Q. | What happens if there is a drop of liquid at the tip of the needle when I remove the needle cap? | |
A. | A drop of liquid at the tip of the needle is not unusual.It will not harm you or affect your dose. | |
Q. | What do I do if I cannot push the plunger? | |
A. | If the plunger is stuck or damaged: | |
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Q. | How do I know when the injection is complete? | |
A. | Your injection is complete when: | |
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Q. | What happens if the syringe is left at room temperature for more than 30minutes? | |
A. | If necessary, the syringe can be left at room temperature for a maximum of 5days if protected from direct sunlight. Taltz should be discarded if not used within 5days at room temperature. | |
To learn more about your medicine, read the Instructions for use and the Taltz leaflet inside this package. | ||
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.