Ilumya (Tildrakizumab-asmn) for Psoriasis

What Members Say Top Tips Side Effects Copay Help FAQs

Ilumya (tildrakizumab-asmn) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

What Members Say

MHT logo These insights are based on 96 comments about Ilumya from MyPsoriasisTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.

Benefits:

Skin can become fully or nearly clear, sometimes after the first few months.
The schedule of one dose every 12 weeks can feel manageable after the first two starter doses.
Ilumya can reduce itching and make walking or daily activities easier.

Considerations:

Improvement can be gradual, and full results may take 12 weeks or longer.
Ilumya may not work well enough on its own, especially when joint symptoms are present.
Upper respiratory infections, injection-site reactions, and diarrhea can occur.

How Ilumya Works and How It’s Taken

Ilumya is a monoclonal antibody, a type of medicine called an interleukin-23 antagonist. It binds to part of interleukin-23, a protein involved in inflammation and immune responses. This reduces the release of substances that cause inflammation.

Doctors prescribe Ilumya when adults have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and may benefit from systemic therapy or phototherapy. Phototherapy means treatment with ultraviolet light. Systemic therapy means medicine that works throughout the body.

Ilumya is given as an injection under the skin. A healthcare provider must give each dose. The injection may be given in the thigh, stomach area, or upper arm.

Typical Dosing for Plaque Psoriasis

The recommended dose is 100 milligrams at week 0 and week 4. After that, the recommended dose is 100 milligrams every 12 weeks.

This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Top Advice From Members on Ilumya

MHT logo These insights are based on 96 comments about Ilumya from MyPsoriasisTeam members.

Members who use Ilumya often say that patience, planning, and close communication with their care team matter. Many described gradual improvement, the importance of staying on schedule when possible, and practical steps for handling cost, coverage, and possible reactions.

1

Be patient because improvement takes more time for some people than for others.
“Four weeks in with Ilumya. Improvement is slow. I am impatient, so it’s frustrating. Is it getting better? Yes. I hope in about six weeks that I see more improvement.”
2

Talk to your doctor if you miss a dose or need to restart.
“I have been on Ilumya for over a year. I recently had to miss a dose due to a change in insurance, but it’s all been sorted now, and I am relieved to be getting my injection tomorrow.”
3

Let your doctor know promptly about side effects or possible reactions.
“Has anyone taken Ilumya injections and had an allergic reaction causing flushing and eyelid swelling? My feet swelled up three times their size. Feet cracked. Did you have to stop the med?”

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Ilumya Side Effects

In clinical studies of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, the most common side effects of Ilumya occurred in about 2 percent to 14 percent of people. These include:

Upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold, sore throat, or sinus symptoms
Injection-site reactions, such as itching, pain, swelling, bruising, or skin irritation where the shot is given
Diarrhea

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

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

Hypersensitivity reactions (serious allergic reactions) — Angioedema and hives can cause swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, as well as a rash, faintness, chest tightness, or trouble breathing.
Serious infections — Ilumya may lower the immune system’s ability to fight infections.
Tuberculosis (TB) — This serious lung infection may become active during treatment.

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

How To Save on Ilumya

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, the manufacturer of Ilumya, offers the Ilumya Copay Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per dose.

The Ilumya Copay Program also offers access to a digital copay card that can be downloaded or viewed online.

To learn more, visit the Ilumya Support website or call 855-445-8692.

What To Know Before Taking Ilumya

Before starting Ilumya, your doctor will check you for tuberculosis (TB).

Your doctor may also recommend that you receive all age-appropriate vaccines before treatment. Avoid live vaccines while being treated with Ilumya.

Tell your doctor if you have had a serious allergic reaction to tildrakizumab or any ingredient in Ilumya.

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

Before starting Ilumya, tell your doctor if you:

Have an infection that does not go away or keeps coming back
Have TB or have been in close contact with someone who has TB
Recently received a vaccine or are scheduled to receive one

Do not use Ilumya if you have had a serious allergic reaction to tildrakizumab or any ingredient in Ilumya.

Ilumya must be given by a healthcare provider. If you miss a dose, schedule another appointment as soon as possible. Then return to your regular dosing schedule.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed.

If you become pregnant during treatment, you are encouraged to join the MotherToBaby Ilumya pregnancy registry. Call 866-626-6847 or visit the MotherToBaby Ilumya pregnancy registry website.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Ilumya for psoriasis?

In two studies of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, 61 percent to 64 percent of people taking Ilumya had at least a 75 percent improvement in their Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score by week 12. This is called a PASI 75 response. About 6 percent of people taking placebo (an inactive treatment) had this response.

By week 12, 55 percent to 58 percent of people taking Ilumya had skin rated clear or almost clear with at least a 2-point improvement. This compared with 4 percent to 7 percent of people taking placebo.

Among people who had a PASI 75 response at week 28, 84 percent of those who continued Ilumya every 12 weeks maintained that response through week 64.

How long does Ilumya take to work for psoriasis?

In plaque psoriasis studies, results were measured at week 12. At that time, 61 percent to 64 percent of people taking Ilumya had reached PASI 75.

In a scalp psoriasis study, responses were measured at weeks 12 and 16.

The prescribing information does not say exactly when each person will begin to notice improvement.

Should I take Ilumya for psoriasis if I have an infection?

Ilumya should not be started if you have a clinically important active infection. Treatment may begin after the infection has gone away or has been properly treated.

Ilumya may increase the risk of infection. Your doctor may consider stopping treatment if you develop a serious infection or an infection that does not improve with standard treatment.

Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, painful skin sores, diarrhea, stomach pain, or burning when you urinate.