Icotyde (Icotrokinra) for Psoriasis

Icotyde (icotrokinra) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating adults and children aged 12 years and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

How Icotyde Works and How It’s Taken

Icotyde works by blocking the IL-23 receptor, which is part of an immune system pathway linked to causing inflammation. This helps lower the release of proteins that can cause inflammation. By calming this overactive immune response, Icotyde may help reduce the skin inflammation and plaque buildup seen in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Doctors prescribe Icotyde for adults and for children ages 12 years and older who weigh at least 88 pounds, have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy (ultraviolet light therapy).

Icotyde is taken as a tablet by mouth once daily when you wake up, on an empty stomach, with water. You should wait at least 30 minutes before eating. If swallowing the tablet is hard, it can be dispersed in water and taken by mouth.

Icotyde Side Effects

In clinical trials of Icotyde for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults and children ages 12 years and older who weigh at least 88 pounds, the most common side effects included:

Headache
Nausea
Cough
Fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot, yeast infection, or oral thrush
Fatigue (feeling unusually tired)

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Icotyde can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:

Serious infections — Icotyde may lower your ability to fight infections.
Tuberculosis — This serious lung infection can also affect other parts of the body.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Icotyde

Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of Icotyde, offers the Icotyde withMe Savings Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per month.

To learn more, visit the Icotyde withMe Savings Program website, or call 844-494-8463.

What To Know Before Taking Icotyde

Before starting Icotyde, your doctor may check you for tuberculosis (TB) and other infections.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to icotrokinra or any ingredients in Icotyde.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.

Before taking Icotyde, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back
Have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB
Have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine (avoid receiving live vaccines during treatment with Icotyde)
Have kidney problems

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can, then take your next dose the following day on your normal schedule.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Icotyde, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. It is not known if Icotyde can harm your baby.

If you become pregnant while taking Icotyde, you can join a pregnancy safety study by calling 800-526-7736 or visiting the Icotyde website. It is not known if Icotyde passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with Icotyde.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Icotyde?
In studies of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, 65 percent to 71 percent of people taking Icotyde had clear or almost clear skin at week 16. In the placebo (an inactive treatment) group, 8 percent to 11 percent had that result. At week 16, 50 percent to 58 percent of people taking Icotyde reached PASI 90, which means at least a 90 percent improvement in PASI score from the start of the study.

In the placebo group, 1 percent to 4 percent reached PASI 90. In one maintenance study, 84 percent of adults who stayed on Icotyde kept their PASI 90 response through week 52.

How long does Icotyde take to work for psoriasis?
Study results for skin response were measured at week 16. By then, 50 percent to 58 percent of people taking Icotyde reached PASI 90 (which means at least a 90 percent improvement in PASI score from the start of the study), and 65 percent to 71 percent had clear or almost clear skin.

The study does not give an exact earlier time for these skin results to begin. It does report itch improvement as early as week 4 in some study measures.

Should I take Icotyde for psoriasis if I have an infection?
No. Icotyde can increase the risk of infection because it affects the immune system. Do not start Icotyde if you have a clinically important active infection until it has gone away or has been treated.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have signs of infection, such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, painful skin sores, diarrhea, stomach pain, or burning when you urinate.