If you have plaque psoriasis, your doctor might suggest Ilumya as a treatment option for you. It’s a prescription drug used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults.

The active ingredient in Ilumya is tildrakizumab-asmn. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Ilumya is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from living cells. It belongs to a group of drugs called interleukin inhibitors.

Ilumya is given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under your skin) by a healthcare professional in a doctor’s office.

This article describes the dosages of Ilumya, as well as its strength and how to use it. To learn more about Ilumya, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Ilumya’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Below you’ll find information about the most commonly recommended dosages of Ilumya.

What is Ilumya’s form?

Ilumya comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose, prefilled syringe. It’s given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under your skin) by a healthcare professional in a doctor’s office.

What strength does Ilumya come in?

Ilumya comes in one strength of 100 milligrams (mg) per 1 milliliter (mL) of liquid solution.

What are the usual dosages of Ilumya?

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s right for you.

The first dose of Ilumya is usually 100 mg. This is followed by a second 100-mg dose 4 weeks later. After this, your dosing schedule is 100 mg of Ilumya every 12 weeks.

Ilumya doesn’t have a loading dose. A loading dose is a higher dose of medication given when your treatment begins to help the drug start working faster.

In some cases, your doctor may suggest a dose increase to 200 mg. This would be an off-label use of Ilumya. (Off-label use means a drug is used in a way it hasn’t been approved for.)

Is Ilumya used long term?

Yes, Ilumya is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Ilumya is given by a healthcare professional at a clinic or doctor’s office. It’s given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under your skin).

You’ll receive the injection in your thigh, upper arm, or belly (but not within 2 inches of your belly button). The healthcare professional injecting your dose will avoid areas that are tender, bruised, or scarred. They’ll also not inject into areas with stretch marks or visible blood vessels.

Your doctor will test you for active tuberculosis (TB) before your first Ilumya dose. If you have TB, it will need to be treated before you start Ilumya. If you’ve had TB in the past, but it’s currently inactive or latent, you may still need TB treatment before starting Ilumya. Your doctor will discuss your risks based on your medical history.

Ilumya is given at a doctor’s office or a clinic. If you miss your scheduled dose of Ilumya, call your doctor’s office right away. They’ll reschedule your dose and adjust your dosing schedule accordingly.

If you need help remembering your Ilumya appointments, you can try using a medication reminder tool. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Ilumya for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask them:

  • Will my dosage of Ilumya be different if I’m taking other plaque psoriasis medications?
  • Will my dosing schedule change if I develop an infection during treatment?
  • Will my dosage of Ilumya be different if I have liver problems?

For news on treatments and tips for managing your condition, sign up for Healthline’s psoriasis newsletter. And if you’re looking to connect with others who live with psoriasis, consider joining the online Bezzy psoriasis community.

Q:

If I miss a dose of Ilumya, will my next dose need to be higher to make up for it?

Anonymous

A:

Probably not. If you miss your regularly scheduled dose of Ilumya, call your doctor’s office as soon as you remember. They’ll reschedule your missed dose and adjust your future dosing schedule.

In some cases, your doctor may discuss increasing your dose to 200 milligrams (mg). This would be an off-label use of Ilumya. (Off-label use is when a drug is used in a way that it hasn’t been approved for.) But this will depend on how well Ilumya is working to treat your condition. And your doctor will help you determine if the benefits of a dose increase outweigh any risks.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.