Taltz Adverse Reactions

Summary of the safety profile: The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were injection site reactions and upper respiratory tract infections (most frequently nasopharyngitis).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions: ADRs from clinical studies and postmarketing reports (Table 9) are listed by MedDRA system organ class. Within each system organ class, the ADRs are ranked by frequency, with the most frequent reactions first. Within each frequency grouping, adverse drug reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. In addition, the corresponding frequency category for each ADR is based on the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000).
A total of 7,339 patients have been treated with Taltz in blinded and open-label clinical studies in plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions. Of these, 4,500 patients were exposed to Taltz for at least one year, cumulatively representing 13,645.6 patient years of exposure.
In plaque psoriasis, three placebo-controlled phase III studies were integrated to evaluate the safety of Taltz in comparison to placebo up to 12 weeks after treatment initiation. A total of 3,119 patients were evaluated (1,161 patients on 80 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W), 1,167 patients on 80 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) and 791 patients on placebo).
In psoriatic arthritis, two placebo-controlled phase III studies were integrated to evaluate the safety of Taltz in comparison to placebo up to 24 weeks after treatment initiation. A total of 678 patients were evaluated (229 patients on 80 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W), 225 patients on 80 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) and 224 patients on placebo). The safety profile observed in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with Taltz is consistent with the safety profile in plaque psoriasis with the exception of the frequencies of the adverse reactions of influenza and conjunctivitis which were common in patients with psoriatic arthritis. (See Table 9.)

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Description of selected adverse reactions: (Based on adverse reactions data from 4,204 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis [4,729.7 patient years] and 1,117 patients with active psoriatic arthritis [1,050.6 patient years] who have received at least 1 dose of ixekizumab.)
Injection site reactions: The most frequent injection site reactions observed were erythema and pain. These reactions were predominantly mild to moderate in severity and did not lead to discontinuation of Taltz.
Infections: In the placebo-controlled period of the phase III clinical studies in plaque psoriasis, infections were reported in 27.2 % of patients treated with Taltz for up to 12 weeks compared with 22.9 % of patients treated with placebo.
The majority of infections were non-serious and mild to moderate in severity, most of which did not necessitate treatment discontinuation. Serious infections occurred in 13 (0.6 %) of patients treated with Taltz and in 3 (0.4 %) of patients treated with placebo (see Precautions). Over the entire treatment period infections were reported in 52.8 % of patients treated with Taltz (46.9 per 100 patient years). Serious infections were reported in 1.6 % of patients treated with Taltz (1.5 per 100 patient years).
Infection rates observed in psoriatic arthritis clinical studies were similar to those observed in the plaque psoriasis studies with the exception of the frequencies of the adverse reactions of influenza and conjunctivitis which were common in patients with psoriatic arthritis.
Laboratory assessment of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia: In plaque psoriasis studies, 9% of patients receiving Taltz developed neutropenia. In most cases, the blood neutrophil count was ≥1,000 cells/mm³. Such levels of neutropenia may persist, fluctuate or be transient. 0.1% of patients receiving Taltz developed a neutrophil count <1000 cells/mm³. In general, neutropenia did not require discontinuation of Taltz. 3% of patients exposed to Taltz had a shift from a normal baseline platelet value to <150,000 platelet cells/mm³ to ≥75,000 cells/mm³. Thrombocytopenia may persist, fluctuate or be transient.
The frequency of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in psoriatic arthritis clinical studies is similar to that observed in the plaque psoriasis studies.
Immunogenicity: Approximately 9-17% of plaque psoriasis patients treated with Taltz at the recommended dosing regimen developed anti-drug antibodies, the majority of which were low titres and not associated with reduced clinical response up to 60 weeks of treatment. However, approximately 1% of patients treated with Taltz had confirmed neutralising antibodies associated with low drug concentrations and reduced clinical response.
In psoriatic arthritis patients treated with Taltz at the recommended dosing regimen up to 52 weeks, approximately 11% developed anti-drug antibodies, the majority of which were low titre, and approximately 8% had confirmed neutralising antibodies. No apparent association between the presence of neutralising antibodies and impact on drug concentration or efficacy was observed.
An association between immunogenicity and treatment emergent adverse events has not been clearly established.