23 Jan Everything you need to know about Ilumya
Everything you need to know about Ilumya
Plaque psoriasis is a common autoimmune disease that affects your skin. Ilumya, a biologic injection, is currently approved by the FDA to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the skin. As your immune system turns against you and begins to attack healthy skin cells, plaque-inflamed, scaly patches will begin forming on your skin in various locations throughout your body.
These scaly patches of skin, known as plaques will appear as red or pink patches covered with silvery scales. On dark skin, plaques can appear thicker, ranging from dark brown, purple, or light gray.
Plaque psoriasis can cause severe physical and emotional discomfort and distress to those living with the condition. Psoriasis plaques are often painful and itchy.
When visible, many people living with plaque psoriasis are mistreated and bullied by those that interact with them due to the appearance of their skin. Symptoms of plaque psoriasis include:
- Scaly or crusty dandruff on the scalp
- Intermittent rashes that vary in color with a scaly or build.
- Patches of skin that appear scaly and inflamed.
- Patches of rashing or scaly skin merge to form bigger areas of affected skin.
- Pitting and cracking of toenails and fingernails.
While not fatal, 30% of people with plaque psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis which causes inflammation and deformities in the joints of the hands and feet.
Luckily, psoriasis can be treated and managed through lifestyle changes and a combination of different therapies and medications.
How is Plaque Psoriasis Treated?
The first line of defense in the treatment of plaque psoriasis is topical ointments. Most commonly, corticosteroids will be prescribed to help reduce the body’s immune response, giving your skin the chance to heal.
For moderate to severe cases of psoriasis, medical professionals may also try phototherapy and oral medications to reduce flare-ups. If traditional oral medications are not working, your doctor may prescribe you a biologic.
Biologic treatments can be more effective for those suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis. As a subcutaneous injection, biologics can bypass the digestive tract, allowing these medications to maintain their potency and effectiveness.
More importantly, biologics are made a living materials that are made to target proteins in your body that produce inflammation. By reducing inflammation, biologics like Ilumya can help reduce the psoriasis plaques.
How is Plaque Psoriasis Treated?
Tildrakizumab-asmn, sold under the brand name Ilumya, is a biological infusion that was approved by the FDA in 2018 to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and in 2022 to treat adults with plaque psoriasis.
Ilumya works by halting the bodies autoimmune response by blocking a cytokine known as interleukin-23 (IL-23). IL-23 may be in part responsible for influencing interleukin-17 (IL-17) and Tumor Necrosis Factor– Alpha (TNF-Alpha), which helps fight off infection and disease.
However, if IL-17 and TNF-Alpha are overproduce in the body, especially when they are immune properties are not needed, it can lead to healthy tissues being attacked. By blocking IL-23, it helps limits the activity of both Il-17 and TNF-Alpha, which has shown to reduce inflammation is psoriatic lesions.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune condition that causes joint linings to become inflamed. If not treated, RA can cause joint deformity and bone erosion, which can lead to severe mobility and loss of function in affected joints, particularly the hands.
While RA does not currently have a cure, early intervention and preventative care can minimize symptoms, reduce pain, and prevent the progression of disability.
Benefits of Ilumya
During clinical trials, patients with plaque psoriasis saw these improvements:
- 60% of patients saw clearer skin after two doses
- 80% of patients saw clearer skin after a year of treatment
- 90% of patients after five years of treatment had clearer or almost clear skin.
What is the Dosing Schedule for Ilumya?
As a subcutaneous injection, Ilumya requires a patient to receive the drug through injection under the supervision of a medical provider. Upon your first treatment, you will receive another additional dose at 4 weeks. After your first two doses, you will then receive injections every 12 weeks.
Is Ilumya Right for Me?
Before starting Ilumya, you should discuss your medical history with your doctor. While Ilumya can be incredibly effective for those living with plaque psoriasis, it does come with side effects, especially if you have certain underlying conditions.
Ilumya works by suppressing your immune system, which can cause you to be at greater risk of infections. For patients that have had or currently do have tuberculosis (TB), this can present a significant risk to your health. If you are currently taking Ilumya and experience any of the following side effects, alert your healthcare provider immediately:
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Sweats or chills
- Cough
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Blood in mucus
- Burning during urination
Where Can I get my Infusion?
Injections of Ilumya can be done with your healthcare provider if they carry Ilumya. However, if your healthcare provider does not carry Ilumya, you can seek care at an ambulatory infusion center (AIC).
Reports have found that receiving treatment at a stand-alone or ambulatory infusion center (AIC) reduces the cost of infusions by up to 53% while offering a more personalized and private experience.
Here at Pure Infusion Suites, we put our patients first. We offer flexible scheduling, co-pay assistance, and other financial aid programs, as well as private suites equipped with recliners, flatscreen TVs, and snacks and drinks for you and your loved ones to enjoy.
Pure Infusion Suites currently has locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Our founders created Pure Infusion Suites to make biologic treatments comfortable, streamlined, and affordable.
Our expertly trained staff will be with you throughout the infusion process to ensure easy referrals and insurance authorizations and reduce the cost of your infusion where we can. At Pure Infusion Suites, you will skip the long lines at the hospital and be provided with your suite, where you can enjoy your favorite shows, snacks, and food during your infusion appointment. If you have been prescribed Tepezza and are looking for a patient-focused infusion experience, call us at 855.550.3358
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