Risankizumab

Pronunciation: ris-an-KIZ-ue-mab.

Generic name
risankizumab
Drug class
Interleukin-23 (IL-23) antagonist (biologic monoclonal antibody)
Form
Injection (pre-filled syringe, pen, or on-body-injector cartridge) or IV infusion concentrate, multiple strengths
Route
Subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion (depending on indication and treatment phase)
Legal status
Prescription-only

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: Skyrizi (5) · Full directory

What risankizumab is and how it works

Risankizumab is a prescription-only biologic (monoclonal antibody) used to treat several long-term inflammatory conditions, including moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. It works by blocking interleukin-23 (IL-23), a protein involved in this type of inflammation. (1)

Take risankizumab exactly as your prescriber directs. Your dose, injection schedule, and whether you start with an intravenous (IV) infusion depend on which condition it is being used for -- there is no single dose or schedule that applies to everyone.

Mechanism of action: how risankizumab works

Risankizumab is a humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (IL-23), blocking its interaction with the IL-23 receptor complex and inhibiting IL-23-driven pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine release implicated in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. (1) (6)

What risankizumab is used for

Plaque psoriasis

Used for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults (and, in some countries, children aged 6 and older) who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. (1) (6)

Psoriatic arthritis

Used for active psoriatic arthritis in adults who have had an inadequate response to, or are intolerant of, one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). May be used alone or together with a conventional DMARD such as methotrexate. (1) (6)

Crohn's disease

Used for moderately-to-severely active Crohn's disease in patients aged 16 and older who have had an inadequate response to, lost response to, or are intolerant or have a contraindication to conventional or biologic therapy. (1) (6)

Ulcerative colitis

Used for moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis in adults who have had an inadequate response to, lost response to, or are intolerant of conventional or biologic therapy. (1) (6)

Before taking risankizumab

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not use risankizumab if you have had a serious allergic reaction to risankizumab or any of its ingredients. (all countries) (1) (6)
  • Do not start risankizumab during a clinically important active infection, including active tuberculosis (TB). (all countries) (1) (6)

Tell your clinician about

  • Whether you have or have ever had tuberculosis (TB), or been in close contact with someone who has -- you will be evaluated for TB before starting.
  • Any current infection, or a history of infections that keep coming back.
  • Any liver problems, especially if being treated for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, since your prescriber may want to monitor your liver.
  • Whether you are due for any vaccinations -- live vaccines should be avoided while on risankizumab.
  • All other medicines you take.
  • Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
(1) (6)

How to take risankizumab

  • For psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: given by subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection using a pre-filled syringe or pen, usually self-injected after training.
  • For Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: treatment usually starts with intravenous (IV) infusions given by a healthcare professional, then switches to subcutaneous injections (syringe, pen, or an on-body-injector cartridge) for ongoing maintenance dosing.
  • Do not inject into skin that is tender, bruised, red, hardened, or affected by psoriasis.
  • Do not use if the solution is cloudy, discoloured, or contains large particles.
  • Follow your prescriber's or pharmacist's instructions on injection technique closely, especially the first few times.
(1) (6)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Missed dose

Contact your prescriber or pharmacist for specific guidance if you miss a dose or an infusion appointment, since timing depends on your individual treatment schedule.

Overdose

Seek urgent medical attention if you think you have received too much risankizumab or notice any severe or unusual symptoms after a dose. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Upper respiratory tract infections (common cold-type symptoms).

What to notice: Upper respiratory tract infections (common cold-type symptoms).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (6)

Headache and fatigue.

What to notice: Headache and fatigue.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Injection site reactions.

What to notice: Injection site reactions.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (6)

Fungal skin infections (tinea).

What to notice: Fungal skin infections (tinea).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Joint pain (arthralgia).

What to notice: Joint pain (arthralgia).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Abdominal pain, fever, and back pain (more common in Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis).

What to notice: Abdominal pain, fever, and back pain (more common in Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Serious warnings

Signs of a serious allergic reaction (hypersensitivity/anaphylaxis) — emergency

Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash or hives.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. Your prescriber will decide whether to stop risankizumab if a serious allergic reaction occurs. (1) (6)

Signs of a new or worsening infection — high caution

Symptoms: Fever, night sweats, persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, warm or painful skin, or other signs of infection.

Action: Tell your prescriber promptly. You should have been screened for tuberculosis before starting -- report any new symptoms suggestive of TB or another infection right away, as your prescriber may need to pause treatment until it clears. (1) (6)

Signs of liver problems (particularly relevant for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis treatment) — high caution

Symptoms: Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual tiredness, nausea, or a rash accompanied by feeling unwell.

Action: Contact your prescriber promptly -- liver monitoring is typically done during the early treatment phase for these indications. (1)

Interactions

  • Live and live-attenuated vaccines should be avoided while being treated with risankizumab. Your prescriber may advise completing recommended vaccinations before you start. (1) (6)
  • Risankizumab is not expected to change how the body processes most other medicines (via CYP450 liver enzymes), so no routine dose adjustment is needed for common co-administered medicines such as caffeine, warfarin, omeprazole, metoprolol, or midazolam. (1) (6)
  • Tell your prescriber about any other immunosuppressant medicines or phototherapy you use, as combined safety and effectiveness with risankizumab has not been fully established. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

There is limited human data on risankizumab in pregnancy. As an antibody, it is known to cross the placenta. Animal studies at high doses did not show birth defects, but risankizumab should be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk. Discuss your individual situation with your prescriber. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Breastfeeding

There is no data on whether risankizumab passes into breast milk or affects a breastfed infant. Discuss the benefits and risks with your prescriber. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Children

Approved for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in some countries from age 6; Crohn's disease is approved from age 16 in some countries. Safety and effectiveness in ulcerative colitis under 18 have not been established. Age thresholds vary by indication and country. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Hepatic_impairment

No dose adjustment is considered necessary, as liver impairment is not expected to significantly affect how this type of antibody medicine is processed by the body. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Renal_impairment

No dose adjustment is considered necessary, as kidney impairment is not expected to significantly affect how this type of antibody medicine is processed by the body. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Tuberculosis (TB) screening
  • Assessment for any active or chronic infection
  • Review of vaccination status
  • Baseline liver enzymes and bilirubin (for Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis)

During treatment

  • Watching for signs of infection, including TB reactivation.
  • Liver enzyme and bilirubin monitoring during the induction phase for Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis.
  • Periodic clinical review of the condition being treated to confirm ongoing benefit.
(1) (6)

Storage

Keep refrigerated at 36-46°F (2-8°C) in the original carton, protected from light, until the expiry date. Do not freeze. Before injecting a pre-filled syringe or pen, it may be allowed to reach room temperature out of direct sunlight for a short period (15-90 minutes depending on the device) without removing it from the carton -- follow the specific instructions for your device. Do not use if it has been frozen, or if the solution is cloudy, discoloured, or contains large particles.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA prescribing information and the New Zealand Medsafe data sheet; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States / New Zealand

Indication: Plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Dose summary: 150 mg subcutaneous injection at Week 0, Week 4, then every 12 weeks. May be used as monotherapy or with a conventional synthetic DMARD for psoriatic arthritis.

Renal context: No dose adjustment necessary; not expected to significantly affect monoclonal antibody pharmacokinetics. (1) (6)

United States / New Zealand

Indication: Crohn's disease

Dose summary: Induction: 600 mg IV infusion at Weeks 0, 4, 8 (over at least 1 hour). Maintenance: 360 mg subcutaneous from Week 12, every 8 weeks.

Renal context: No dose adjustment necessary. (6)

United States / New Zealand

Indication: Ulcerative colitis

Dose summary: Induction: 1200 mg IV infusion at Weeks 0, 4, 8 (over at least 2 hours). Maintenance: 180 mg or 360 mg subcutaneous from Week 12, every 8 weeks.

Renal context: No dose adjustment necessary. (6)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

No specific hepatic dose-adjustment guidance; not expected to be metabolised by hepatic enzymes.

Overdose note

No specific antidote; manage any adverse reaction symptomatically and monitor the patient. (1) (6)

Frequently asked questions

Is risankizumab (Skyrizi) available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

Yes, it is approved in all of these regions, though the specific approved uses and available formulations vary slightly by country. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Why do I need a TB test before starting risankizumab?

Risankizumab can increase infection risk, including reactivating latent tuberculosis. Your prescriber will screen you for TB before starting, and if you have a history of TB that was not fully treated, may recommend anti-TB treatment first. (1) (6)

Why does Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis dosing look so different from psoriasis dosing?

For inflammatory bowel disease, treatment starts with a course of IV infusions to establish disease control ('induction'), then switches to regular subcutaneous injections for ongoing ('maintenance') treatment. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis use subcutaneous injections from the start. (6)

What is the mechanism of action of risankizumab?

Risankizumab is a humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (IL-23), blocking its interaction with the IL-23 receptor complex and inhibiting IL-23-driven pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine release implicated in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. (1) (6)

What is the generic name of Risankizumab?

The generic name is risankizumab. (1)

What class of drug is risankizumab?

Risankizumab is classed as: Interleukin-23 (IL-23) antagonist (biologic monoclonal antibody). (1)

References

  1. SKYRIZI (risankizumab-rzaa) injection -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, AbbVie Inc. · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
  2. Skyrizi 150 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen / Skyrizi 600 mg concentrate for solution for infusion -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- AbbVie · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
  3. Skyrizi European Public Assessment Report (EPAR) and product informationEuropean Medicines Agency (EMA) · European Union · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
  4. SKYRIZI (risankizumab) Product MonographHealth Canada product monograph · Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
  5. SKYRIZI risankizumab -- ARTG registration and Product InformationTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5
  6. SKYRIZI New Zealand Data Sheet (DS v15, CCDS v23, 29 October 2025)Medsafe (New Zealand regulator) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient risankizumab names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Skyrizi150 mg/mL, 55 mg/.37mL, 180 mg.2mL, 600 mg0mL · abbvie inc.

United Kingdom

  • Skyrizi (2)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed · 150 mg, 180 mg, 360 mg, 600 mg (IV) · AbbVie

Canada

  • Skyrizi (4)Health Canada approved confirmed · 75 mg, 90 mg, 150 mg · AbbVie Corporation

Australia

  • Skyrizi (5)TGA ARTG registered confirmed · 75 mg, 150 mg, 180 mg, 360 mg, 600 mg (IV) · AbbVie Pty Ltd

New Zealand

  • Skyrizi (6)Medsafe approved confirmed data sheet v15 2025-10-29 · 150 mg, 180 mg, 360 mg, 600 mg (IV) · AbbVie
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Skyrizi (3)

This page provides general reference information about risankizumab and is not a substitute for advice from the prescriber managing your treatment. All dosing and treatment decisions should be made with your prescriber.

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