What side effects does Skyrizi (risankizumab) commonly cause?
Skyrizi’s most reported side effects are generally mild to moderate and can include:
- Upper respiratory infections (such as cold-like symptoms)
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Injection-site reactions (for people who self-inject), such as redness or discomfort
Because Skyrizi affects the immune system, infections are the main risk category patients monitor for.
What serious side effects should patients watch for?
Serious problems are less common, but patients are typically told to get medical help promptly for signs of:
- Infections that don’t go away or are getting worse (fever, worsening cough, painful urination)
- Allergic reactions (hives, swelling of the face/lips, trouble breathing)
- Symptoms that could indicate a new or worsening infection, especially if they have other risk factors
If a serious infection happens, clinicians may pause treatment until it’s addressed.
What infections does Skyrizi increase the risk of?
Skyrizi can increase the risk of upper respiratory and other infections because it suppresses a specific immune pathway (IL-23). Patients are usually advised to:
- Seek care if they develop persistent fever or symptoms of infection
- Tell their prescriber about any history of recurrent or chronic infections
Do Skyrizi side effects differ by dosing (every 8 weeks vs. after the first year)?
Side effects can occur at any time, but injection-related reactions and upper respiratory symptoms are often noticed earlier in treatment. Over time, many patients see fewer new issues, but risks like infections still apply.
What are the side effects for people with Crohn’s vs. psoriasis?
Skyrizi is used for certain immune-mediated conditions (including psoriasis). Side effects are broadly similar across indications, but the rate of specific problems can vary by study populations and background treatments. Infection risk remains a key shared concern.
Who should be extra careful about Skyrizi side effects?
People who may need additional monitoring include those with:
- Frequent infections or serious infection history
- Uncontrolled diabetes or other conditions that increase infection risk
- Plans for surgery or treatment that could raise infection risk
- Current infection or recent exposure to infections needing evaluation
When should I stop Skyrizi and call a doctor?
Call a clinician right away if you have:
- Signs of a serious or worsening infection (fever, shortness of breath, severe or persistent symptoms)
- Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (trouble breathing, facial swelling, widespread hives)
- Any other reaction that feels severe or rapidly worsening
If you share whether you’re taking Skyrizi for psoriasis or another condition, and what specific symptoms you’re experiencing (and when they started), I can help you gauge how concerning they are and what questions to ask your prescriber.
Sources
(No external sources were provided in your prompt, so I can’t cite DrugPatentWatch.com or other references here.)