By Counterforce Health Team —

A Look at the Medication Skyrizi (Risankizumab-rzaa)

If you or a loved one are navigating the challenges of a chronic inflammatory condition, you may have heard of Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa). This biologic medication has become a significant treatment option for several autoimmune diseases, offering a targeted approach to managing symptoms.

But what exactly is Skyrizi, and how does it work to bring about relief? Let's dive into the details.

What is Skyrizi? The Basics

Skyrizi is a prescription injectable medication that belongs to a class of drugs called interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitors. It is used to treat adults with:

  • Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
  • Active psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
  • Moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD)
  • Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC)

These conditions are all driven by an overactive immune system that mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, leading to chronic inflammation.

The Targeted Approach: How Skyrizi Works

Unlike some older treatments that broadly suppress the immune system, Skyrizi works with impressive precision.

  1. Targeting IL-23: Skyrizi is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets and binds to the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (IL-23).
  2. Stopping the Chain Reaction: IL-23 is a key cytokine—a protein messenger—that plays a central role in driving the inflammatory process in these autoimmune conditions. By blocking IL-23, Skyrizi stops the downstream release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-17 and IL-22.
  3. Reducing Inflammation: This targeted blockade helps to significantly reduce inflammation, which can lead to clearer skin in psoriasis, reduced joint pain and swelling in psoriatic arthritis, and improved gut health in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

This focused mechanism is why many patients experience a significant reduction in disease activity. For conditions like plaque psoriasis, clinical studies have shown high rates of patients achieving clear or almost clear skin.

Dosing and Administration: An Infrequent Schedule

One notable benefit of Skyrizi is its dosing schedule, particularly for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis:

  • Plaque Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis: After the initial two "loading" doses (at Week 0 and Week 4), maintenance treatment is typically only needed every 12 weeks via a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection. This less-frequent schedule can be a significant advantage for patient adherence and quality of life.
  • Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis: Treatment typically begins with an initial series of intravenous (IV) infusions, followed by subcutaneous maintenance injections every 8 weeks.

Your doctor will determine the right dosage and schedule for your specific condition.

Important Safety Considerations

As with any powerful medication, there are important safety considerations to discuss with your healthcare provider:

  • Increased Risk of Infection: Because Skyrizi affects your immune system, it may lower your ability to fight off infections. Upper respiratory infections (like the common cold) and fungal skin infections are among the most common side effects. Your doctor will check you for tuberculosis (TB) before you start treatment and monitor you for signs of infection throughout.
  • Liver Problems: Liver enzyme increases have been observed, particularly in patients being treated for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis). Your doctor may perform blood tests to monitor your liver function.
  • Allergic Reactions: Serious allergic reactions are possible, though rare. You should seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms like swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing.
  • Vaccines: You should not receive live vaccines while on Skyrizi. Discuss your vaccination history and future plans with your doctor before starting treatment.

Is Skyrizi Right for You?

Skyrizi is a prescription-only medicine. Deciding if it is the right therapy requires a thorough conversation with your dermatologist or gastroenterologist. They will review your medical history, current condition severity, and previous treatments to determine if an IL-23 inhibitor like Skyrizi is the best next step in your treatment journey.