Bimekizumab

Bimekizumab is a prescription medication used in adults for the treatment of:

• Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with objective signs of inflammation
• Ankylosing spondylitis

Bimekizumab is available under the following different brand names: Bimzelx

Common side effects of Bimekizumab include:

• Signs of a common cold.
• Headache.
• Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given.
• Pimples (acne).
• Small red bumps on the skin.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Tooth pain.
• Dry skin.
• Cold sores.

Serious side effects of Bimekizumab include:

• Fungal skin infection
• High blood pressure
• Gastroenteritis (. g., nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, stomach cramps)
• Symptoms of infection (. g., fever or chills, night sweats, muscle aches, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)

Rare side effects of Bimekizumab include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 Adult dosage

Injectable solution, SC

160 mg/mL (single-dose prefilled syringe or prefilled autoinjector)

Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

Adult dosage

Weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16: 320 mg SC (ie, two 160-mg SC injections)

Subsequent doses (starting 8 weeks after week 16): 320 mg SC every 8 weeks

For patients weighing 120 kg and more: Consider a dosage of 320 mg every 4 weeks after week 16

Psoriatic arthritis

Adult dosage

• 160 mg SC every 4 weeks
• For patients with coexistent moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, use dosing regimen for plaque psoriasis

Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis          

Adult dosage

• 160 mg SC every 4 weeks

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Adult dosage

• 160 mg SC every 4 weeks

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Pending FDA approval for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• None

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Bimekizumab?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Bimekizumab?”

Cautions

• Pending FDA approval for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Pending FDA approval for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis
• Lactation
  • Pending FDA approval for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis