If you have psoriasis, your doctor might suggest Siliq as a treatment option for you.

Siliq is a prescription medication that’s used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who aren’t responding to certain other medications. Also, they must be able to have systemic treatments or phototherapy for their condition.

The active ingredient in Siliq is brodalumab. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Siliq is a biologic drug, which means that it’s made from living cells.

Siliq is typically used long term. It comes as liquid that you or a healthcare professional injects under your skin using a prefilled syringe.

For more information about Siliq, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Like other drugs, Siliq can cause mild to serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

Some people may have mild to serious side effects during their Siliq treatment. Below are just a few of Siliq’s common side effects.

Examples of Siliq’s commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Keep reading to learn about other mild and serious side effects that Siliq may cause.

Some people may have mild side effects while using Siliq. Examples that have been reported include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop using Siliq unless your doctor recommends it.

Siliq may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Siliq prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Siliq, visit MedWatch.

In addition to mild side effects, Siliq can cause serious ones. But these are less common.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Siliq include:

* Siliq has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible after using Siliq. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug.

If you develop serious side effects while using Siliq, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Siliq may cause.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Siliq has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Siliq may cause thoughts of suicide. In rare cases, death by suicide has occurred.

Due to these risks, Siliq is only available through a safety program called the Siliq Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). This program has certain requirements for doctors, patients, and pharmacies. This helps ensure that those who prescribe or use the drug are aware that it has a risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Siliq can only be prescribed by certified healthcare professionals and dispensed by certified specialty pharmacies. For information about certified doctors and pharmacies, call the Siliq REMS program at 855-511-6135.

The program also makes sure that people who will be using Siliq are aware of the possible side effects of the drug. And it informs them about what to do if they have suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

If you have any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:

  • thoughts of hurting yourself, dying, or suicide specifically
  • attempting suicide
  • impulsive and dangerous behavior
  • other unusual changes in your mood or behavior
  • worsening or new anxiety, depression, or mood problems

What might help

Before starting the treatment, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Siliq. Tell them if you have a history of depression or thoughts of suicide.

If your plaque psoriasis doesn’t lessen in 12 to 16 weeks, your doctor may recommend that you stop using Siliq due to the risks of this treatment.

Your doctor will give you a Siliq REMS program wallet card to carry with you and show to other doctors. The card lists symptoms to watch for that indicate that you should get medical help.

If you have any thoughts of suicide while using Siliq, tell your doctor right away. Also let them know if you or a family member notices changes in your mood, anxiety, or worsening depression.

Suicide prevention

If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:

  • Call 911 or your local emergency number.
  • Stay with the person until help arrives.
  • Remove any guns, knives, medications, and other things that may cause harm.
  • Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Muscle pain

Siliq may cause muscle pain. It can happen in any area of the body that has muscle tissue.

People experience muscle pain differently. You may have pain in certain areas or all over. The pain can be a deep, steady ache or random and sharp.

What might help

Here are a few tips you can try to ease your muscle pain:

  • Stretch your muscles gently.
  • Take a warm shower or bath.
  • Practice stress-relieving activities such as meditation to help reduce muscle tension.

Although over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers may lessen your muscle aches, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these kinds of medications. A common pain reliever is ibuprofen, which is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. But ibuprofen may worsen your symptoms of psoriasis.

If your muscle pain is bothersome, tell your doctor. They can recommend ways to manage your muscle pain during Siliq treatment.

Joint pain

Pain in your joints is a common side effect of Siliq.

The pain may reduce your range of movement in the affected joint. You may feel soreness, aches, burning, throbbing, or stiffness in the area. And your pain may come and go or be constant.

What might help

Here are a few things you can try at home to relieve your joint paint:

  • Apply heat or ice to the joint for short periods.
  • Take a warm shower or bath.
  • Try an OTC pain reliever that’s recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor can discuss other ways to manage joint pain that may occur with Siliq treatment.

Low level of neutrophils

Siliq can cause you to have a low level of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell. This is referred to as neutropenia. In studies, this side effect was usually temporary.

If you have this condition, your body may not be able to fight off infections as easily as usual. In studies, infections commonly occurred in people using Siliq. A low level of this type of white blood cell was not linked to any serious infections in these studies. But having low levels of neutrophils may increase the risk of infection.

Having low levels of white blood cells, including neutrophils, may not cause symptoms. But an infection could be a sign that you might have this condition.

Examples of infections that you might get include:

For more information about common types of infection that occurred in studies of Siliq, see “Infections” below.

What might help

During Siliq treatment, your doctor will regularly monitor your neutrophil levels.

If you start getting infections while receiving Siliq, tell your doctor. They may ask you to come in for a checkup or order a blood test for you.

Staying healthy is one way to prevent infections. Your doctor may recommend that you practice good hygiene to reduce exposure to germs that can make you sick. They may also suggest certain lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly and reducing stress.

For more information about Siliq and a low level of neutrophils, talk with your doctor.

Infections

The ability of your immune system to fight infections may decrease during Siliq treatment. Infections were a common side effect of the drug.

In studies, people using Siliq had different types of infection. Examples include:

Most of the reported infections were not serious. But if you have a serious infection, your doctor will likely temporarily stop your Siliq treatment until your infection goes away.

Symptoms of infection can include:

To learn more about how using Siliq can lead to infections, talk with your doctor.

What might help

Here are a few tips that may help prevent infections during Siliq treatment:

  • Practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly.
  • Avoid people who are sick.
  • Disinfect objects in your house, such as door knobs and remote controls.
  • Check with your doctor about any vaccines you might need before you start using Siliq.
  • Practice stress-relieving activities, such as meditation.
  • Try to sleep at least 7 hours per day.
  • Do low-intensity exercise.

Before you start receiving Siliq, talk with your doctor about your health history. If you have an infection or get infections often, your doctor may recommend a treatment other than Siliq for your condition.

If you have symptoms of an infection while using Siliq, tell your doctor right away. They’ll try to determine what kind of infection you have, if any, and recommend ways to treat it.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Siliq can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an over-the-counter antihistamine that you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product that you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms that you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Siliq, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms that you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Siliq, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Siliq treatment, consider taking notes about any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dosage of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dosage
  • what your symptoms were
  • how they affected your daily activities
  • any other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Siliq affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Siliq comes with several warnings, as discussed below. Before you start using the drug, talk with your doctor about these warnings. This conversation can help you decide whether Siliq may be a safe and effective treatment option for you.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Siliq has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Some people who’ve used Siliq have had suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In rare cases, death by suicide has occurred. Due to this risk, Siliq is only available through a safety program called the Siliq Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS).

If you have thoughts of suicide, tell your doctor right away. Also talk with your doctor if you have any mood changes, anxiety, or new or worsening depression.

To learn more about this boxed warning and the REMS program, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

Siliq may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Siliq treatment. The list below includes factors to consider.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Siliq or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Siliq. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Crohn’s disease. Siliq can cause Crohn’s disease. If you have this condition, using Siliq can worsen it. Tell your doctor if you have Crohn’s disease. They can recommend a safer treatment for your plaque psoriasis.

Tuberculosis (TB). If you have an active TB infection, Siliq can worsen it. And the drug can reactivate an inactive TB infection. If you have a history of TB, tell your doctor. They’ll likely treat your TB before you start using Siliq.

Alcohol use and Siliq

There is not a known interaction between alcohol and Siliq. But alcohol can trigger or worsen plaque psoriasis.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to drink during Siliq treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Siliq

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Siliq while pregnant. But it’s possible for someone who’s pregnant and using Siliq to transmit the drug to the developing fetus. As a result, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not use Siliq while you’re pregnant.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They can make recommendations about safe treatment options for you during pregnancy.

The safety of breastfeeding during Siliq treatment is unknown. Siliq may pass through human milk to a breastfed child.

Discuss the risks of breastfeeding while using Siliq with your doctor. They can recommend safe ways to feed your baby.

Mild and serious side effects may occur with Siliq treatment, though the latter are rare. To feel confident in your treatment, talk with your doctor about the possible side effects. Below are some questions that can help you start the conversation:

  • Because I’m an older adult, will any of the possible side effects of Siliq be worse for me?
  • If I have serious side effects of Siliq, will I need to stop using the drug?
  • Will any health conditions increase my risk of side effects?
  • If I have injection site reactions from Siliq, is there a different form of the drug that I can take?

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Q:

What is my risk of contracting tuberculosis while using Siliq?

Anonymous

A:

Siliq can decrease your body’s ability to fight off infections, including tuberculosis (TB). TB is a potentially serious lung disease caused by a bacterial infection. TB may be active (transmittable and with symptoms) or latent (not transmittable and without symptoms).

Siliq can worsen active TB or reactivate latent TB. Some symptoms of active TB include:

With latent TB, you don’t have symptoms, but a TB test will come back positive. Latent TB can turn into active TB. So if you have latent TB, your doctor will regularly check you for signs of TB reactivation during treatment with Siliq.

Before you start receiving Siliq, your doctor will likely have you take a TB test. If you have active TB, they will treat the condition before you start using Siliq.

Your doctor will closely monitor you for TB throughout your treatment.

If you develop symptoms of TB while using Siliq, contact your doctor immediately.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

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.