Key takeaways
- The usual maintenance (ongoing) dosage for Taltz is an 80-milligram injection every 4 weeks.
- Depending on your condition, you may have a higher starter dose at the beginning of treatment, called a loading dose. For plaque psoriasis, you’ll have loading doses every 2 weeks at the start of treatment.
- You can inject Taltz using prefilled syringes or auto-injectors. These are single-use devices that you throw away after one injection.
Taltz is used in adults to treat:
- plaque psoriasis
- psoriatic arthritis
- nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis
- ankylosing spondylitis with inflammation
Taltz is also approved to treat plaque psoriasis in some children.
The active ingredient in Taltz is ixekizumab. Taltz belongs to a group of medications called interleukin-17A blockers.
This article describes Taltz’s dosages, as well as its strength, forms, and how to inject it. To learn more about Taltz, see this in-depth Taltz article.
The following table highlights the basics of Taltz’s usual dosages. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
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 this, your doctor will likely recommend decreasing your dose. This will be your maintenance dose that you inject on an ongoing basis.
| Condition | Loading dose(s) | Maintenance dosage |
|---|---|---|
| plaque psoriasis | • 160 mg (two 80-mg injections) at the start of treatment • 80-mg injection every 2 weeks for 12 weeks (for a total of 6 more doses) | 80-mg injection every 4 weeks |
| • psoriatic arthritis • ankylosing spondylitis with inflammation | 160 mg (two 80-mg injections) | 80-mg injection every 4 weeks |
| nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis | none | 80-mg injection every 4 weeks |
Taltz forms
Taltz comes as a liquid solution that’s injected under your skin. It’s available in a prefilled syringe or an auto-injector. Both products are for single use only.
Taltz strengths
The Taltz auto-injector comes in one strength: 80 mg per milliliter (mg/mL) of solution.
The Taltz prefilled syringe comes in three strengths:
- 80 mg/mL
- 40 mg/0.5 mL
- 20 mg/0.25 mL
The following dosages are commonly recommended, but be sure to follow the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.
Dosing schedule for plaque psoriasis
For plaque psoriasis, your doctor will recommend that you start with a loading dose of Taltz. This will be 160 milligrams (mg) given as two 80-mg injections.
After your loading dose (at “week 0”), you’ll inject six doses of 80 mg, once every other week. So on weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, you’ll inject a dose of 80 mg.
After that, you only need to inject one 80-mg dose of Taltz every 4 weeks. This is your maintenance dosage, which you’ll likely continue with throughout 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 inject 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” 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 inject 80 mg once every 4 weeks.
Dosing schedule for nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis
If you have nonradiographic 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.
Dosage adjustments
In most cases, your dosage of Taltz will not need to change once you’ve started your maintenance dose. But for children receiving Taltz for plaque psoriasis, the dosage may increase as their body weight increases.
If you have specific questions about your dosage of Taltz, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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 it helps the medication to start working quickly.
The following table shows Taltz dosing for treating plaque psoriasis in children.
| Child’s weight | Loading dose (week 0) | Regular dose (every 4 weeks) |
| more than 50 kg (more than 110 lbs)* | 160 mg (two 80-mg injections) | 80 mg |
| 25 kg to 50 kg (about 55 lbs to 110 lbs) | 80 mg | 40 mg† |
| less than 25 kg (less than 55 lbs) | 40 mg† | 20 mg† |
* 1 kilogram (kg) equals about 2.2 pounds (lbs).
† Your child’s doctor will administer any 20-mg and 40-mg doses that are prepared using the 80-mg prefilled syringe.
Here 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 treatment. This is your maintenance dose.
If you’re injecting Taltz for nonradiographic 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 having other treatments.
For example, you can have Taltz treatment alongside 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 determine whether you should stop or continue them when you start Taltz.
What’s the dose frequency for Taltz?
It depends, but most people inject Taltz every 2 or 4 weeks. The frequency of your Taltz doses is based on several factors. Examples include your age, the dose you’re prescribed, and the condition Taltz is being injected to treat.
To learn about the recommended dosage for your condition, see the “Taltz dosages by condition” section. If you have questions about when you should inject Taltz, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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 may learn to give Taltz injections at home after receiving training. Never inject this medication without first receiving training from your healthcare professional.
You can inject your dose of Taltz into your:
- upper arm
- thigh
- abdominal 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.
In some cases, children weighing less than 50 kg (about 110 lbs) may need to receive Taltz injections in the doctor’s office. If the drug is not available in the strength your child typically receives, either 40 mg/0.5 mL or 20 mg/0.25 mL, a trained healthcare professional will give the correct dosage using the 80 mg/mL prefilled syringe.
Only give your child a dosage of Taltz using a prefilled syringe containing the exact amount of medication that they’re meant to receive.
If you have questions about how to inject a dose of Taltz, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How long do you use Taltz?
Taltz is typically 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.
What if I miss a dose?
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 inject 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 inject more Taltz than your doctor prescribes. Injecting more than this can lead to serious side effects.
What to do in case you inject too much Taltz
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve injected too much Taltz. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison 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.
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.
