August 2024 Drug Safety Update Part 2: Cosentyx and Taltz plaque psoriasis drugs
August 2024 Drug Safety Update Part 2: Cosentyx and Taltz plaque psoriasis drugs
Labels updated to warn of risk of “opportunistic infections”
Cosentyx (secukinumab) and Taltz (ixekizumab), injectable drugs that treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in patients 6 years and older, had label updates to warn of the risk of:
opportunistic infections and reactivation of certain infections, including: serious bacterial, viral, and fungal opportunistic infections, including some fatal infections.
Cases of hepatitis B virus reactivation have been reported for both Cosentyx and Taltz.
Additionally:
The Cosentyx label warns of reports of cases of active turberculosis infections in patients with a history of latenttuberculosis (TB). Cosentyx is also approved to treat certain other autoimmune conditions.
The Taltz label adds warnings about the risk of eczema-like skin eruptions and provides updated guidance for pediatric use age 6 to 17.
Cosentyx label update
Taltz label update
Definitions and Notes:
Cosentyx and Taltz are both “humanized interleukin-17A antagonists,” which work by targeting and suppressing a specific protein in the body that causes inflammation. Unfortunately, while this suppression helps the body not to overreact to certain infections, it can also make the body more vulnerable to infection. Check here for an explanation of interleukin-17A antagonists:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/il-17-inhibitors-6503894
Opportunistic infections are serious infections that occur in people with a weakened immune system. They can include viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections. Common bacterial infection examples include clostridum difficile (c.diff), salmonella, staph, and strep. Check MedicineNet for a list of viral, fungal, and parasitic opportunistic infections:
https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_examples_of_opportunistic_infections/article.htm
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in which red scaly patches form on some areas of the body. While it can develop at any time, psoriasis frequently develops between the ages of 10 and 35. It is not contagious but may have a genetic link as the condition seems to run in families.
Milder cases are treated topically with corticosteroid creams or other ointments. People with a weakened immune system may develop more severe cases of psoriasis, which are treated with a variety of biological drugs that suppress the immune system, including Cosentyx and Taltz. Read more about psoriasis at Medline Plus:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000434.htm
Read and add ratings for Taltz at the Ask a Patient website
Read and add ratings for Cosentyx at Ask a Patient website