Overview
Icotyde is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kilograms (around 88 pounds) and are candidates for systemic therapy (treatment that affects the whole body) or phototherapy (light therapy). Icotyde is also known by its drug name, icotrokinra.

Icotyde is a biologic-style targeted therapy that blocks the interleukin (IL)-23 receptor, a protein involved in immune system signaling. By inhibiting IL-23 activity, it reduces inflammation and slows the overproduction of skin cells that leads to psoriasis plaques.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that icotyde is taken orally as a tablet once daily. It should be taken on an empty stomach with water upon waking, and patients should wait at least 30 minutes before eating. For those who have difficulty swallowing tablets, the medication may be dispersed in water. It should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of icotyde include headache, nausea, cough, fungal infection (such as yeast infections), and fatigue (feeling unusually tired).

Rare but serious side effects may include infections (including serious infections that may require stopping treatment), tuberculosis (TB, a serious bacterial lung infection), and complications related to immune suppression. Live vaccines should be avoided during treatment.

For more information about this treatment, visit:
Icotyde (Icotrokinra) Tablets, for Oral Use — Janssen Biotech