Ixekizumab for treating active psoriatic arthritis after inadequate response to DMARDs

Ixekizumab (Taltz, Eli Lilly) has a marketing authorisation, alone or in combination with methotrexate, 'for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapies'.

160 mg by subcutaneous injection (2×80 mg injections) at week 0, followed by 80 mg (1 injection) every 4 weeks thereafter.

For patients with concomitant moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, the recommended dosing regimen is 160 mg by subcutaneous injection (2×80 mg injections) at week 0, followed by 80 mg (1 injection) at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, then maintenance dosing of 80 mg (1 injection) every 4 weeks.

Consideration should be given to stopping treatment in patients whose disease has shown no response after 16 to 20 weeks of treatment. Some patients with initial partial response may subsequently improve with continued treatment beyond 20 weeks.

£1,125 per 80‑mg syringe.

The company has a commercial arrangement. This makes ixekizumab available to the NHS with a discount. The size of the discount is commercial in confidence. It is the company's responsibility to let relevant NHS organisations know details of the discount.