Dosage for Taltz: What You Need to Know

If you have plaque psoriasis or certain types of arthritis, your doctor might suggest Taltz as a treatment option. It’s a prescription medication used in adults to treat:

• plaque psoriasis
• psoriatic arthritis
• non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
• ankylosing spondylitis

Taltz is also approved to treat plaque psoriasis in some children.

Taltz comes as a liquid solution that’s injected under your skin. It’s available in a prefilled syringe or an autoinjector. (An autoinjector is a device that injects a dose of medication with the press of a button.)

The active ingredient in Taltz is ixekizumab. It belongs to a group of medications called interleukin-17A blockers.

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

Note: This article covers the typical dosages for Taltz, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer and listed in the prescribing information. But when using Taltz, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

When you first start your Taltz treatment, your doctor will recommend the best dosage for you. Always inject the dose recommended by your doctor.

What are the forms of Taltz?

Taltz comes as a liquid solution that’s injected under your skin. It’s available in a prefilled syringe or an autoinjector.

What strength does Taltz come in?

Both the Taltz autoinjector and the prefilled syringe come in one strength: 80 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL) of solution.

What are the typical dosages of Taltz?

Typically, your doctor will start you on a loading dose of Taltz. A loading dose is a higher dose at the beginning of your treatment. This helps the medication work more quickly.

After your first dose, your doctor will likely recommend decreasing your dose. This will be your maintenance dose.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosing schedule for plaque psoriasis

For plaque psoriasis, your doctor will recommend you start with a loading dose of Taltz. This will be 160 mg given as two 80-mg injections.

After your loading dose (at “week 0”), you’ll get six doses of 80 mg, once every other week. So on weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, you’ll get a dose of 80 mg.

After that, you only need to get one 80-mg dose of Taltz every 4 weeks. This is your maintenance dosage and you’ll likely continue on it throughout your treatment.

Dosing schedule for psoriatic arthritis

For psoriatic arthritis, the recommended loading dose is 160 mg, given as two 80-mg injections.

After your loading dose, you’ll only need a dose of 80 mg once every 4 weeks.

But if you have psoriatic arthritis along with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, your schedule may be different. In that case, your doctor will likely recommend following the dosing schedule for plaque psoriasis. See “Dosing schedule for plaque psoriasis” above for more information.

Dosing schedule for ankylosing spondylitis

For ankylosing spondylitis, your doctor will likely recommend a loading dose of 160 mg. This dose will be given as two 80-mg injections.

After your loading dose, you’ll only need an injection of 80 mg once every 4 weeks.

Dosing schedule for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

If you have non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, your doctor will likely recommend a dosage of 80 mg once every 4 weeks. You don’t need to start with a loading dose of Taltz for this condition.

What’s the dosage of Taltz for children?

Taltz is approved for use in children ages 6 years and older with plaque psoriasis. The pediatric dosing of this medication depends on your child’s weight.

For children with plaque psoriasis, the first dose of medication will be higher. This is known as a loading dose and allows the medication to start working quickly.

The chart below shows Taltz dosing for treating plaque psoriasis in children.

* 1 kilogram (kg) equals about 2.2 pounds (lbs.).
† Your child’s doctor will administer any dose that’s under 80 mg. For more information, see “How is Taltz used?” below.

Is Taltz used long term?

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

Dosage adjustments

In most cases, your dosage of Taltz will not need to change once you’ve started your maintenance dose. But for children taking Taltz for plaque psoriasis, the dosage may increase as their body weight increases.

For more information, see “What are the typical dosages of Taltz?” above.

If you have specific questions about your dosage of Taltz, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are answers to some common questions about Taltz and dosage.

Does Taltz treatment start with a loading dose followed by a maintenance dose?

Yes, in most cases Taltz treatment starts with a loading dose, followed by a maintenance dose.

A loading dose is your starting dose of medication. This is a higher dose that you’ll get at the beginning of your treatment to help the medication work faster.

After your loading dose, you’ll switch to a lower dose of medication that you’ll likely continue throughout the treatment. This is your maintenance dose.

If you’re taking Taltz for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, you probably won’t need a loading dose.

Before you start Taltz treatment, your doctor will recommend a dosing schedule. Talk with them if you have specific questions about your loading dose or maintenance dose.

Will my dosage of Taltz change if I’m taking other medications to treat my condition?

No, it isn’t likely that your dosage of Taltz will be affected by using it with other treatments.

For example, you can use Taltz with Trexall (methotrexate) to treat psoriatic arthritis without needing to change your Taltz dosage.

Before starting Taltz, talk with your doctor about all medications you’re taking. They can help you determine if you should stop or continue taking them when you start Taltz.

The dosage of Taltz your doctor prescribes may depend on several factors. These include:

• the type and severity of the condition you’re using Taltz to treat
• your age
• your body weight (for children taking Taltz)

Taltz comes as a liquid solution that’s injected under your skin. Your doctor will likely give you your first dose of Taltz and then teach you how to inject it yourself. Caregivers of children weighing more than 50 kg (about 110 lbs.) may learn to give Taltz injections at home. You should never try to inject this medication without first training with your healthcare professional.

You can inject your dose of Taltz into your:

• upper arm
• thigh
• belly area

You should switch your injection sites with each dose of Taltz. Do not inject it into bruised or discolored skin or into areas where you may have plaques from plaque psoriasis.

For step-by-step instructions and videos on injecting your dosage of Taltz at home, see the manufacturer’s webpage.

For children weighing less than 50 kg (about 110 lbs.), they should receive Taltz injections in the doctor’s office. This is because your child’s dose of 20 mg or 40 mg is not available in a prefilled syringe or autoinjector. A healthcare professional will measure it out.

If you have additional questions about how to inject your dose of Taltz, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For information on Taltz expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

If you forget to inject your dose of Taltz, do it as soon as you remember. After that, you can continue with your regular dosing schedule.

If you miss your dose and you’re confused about when to take your next dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help remembering when to inject your dose of Taltz, try using a calendar or reminder app on your phone.

Do not use more Taltz than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you use too much Taltz

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Taltz. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Taltz, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Taltz without your doctor’s recommendation. Only use Taltz exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• If I have side effects from Taltz, can my dose be decreased?
• Should my dose of Taltz be different if I have other medical conditions?
• Will my other medications affect my dosage of Taltz?

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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.