Taltz is a prescription drug used to treat plaque psoriasis and certain types of arthritis. Taltz is an immunosuppressant. Learn what that means and other details about the drug.
Taltz belongs to a group of drugs called interleukin-17A (IL-17A) blockers. These drugs are classified as immunosuppressants because they reduce the strength of your immune system.
Taltz is also a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms.
Taltz works by blocking the action of a specific protein in the immune system called IL-17A. This protein causes reactions in your immune system that create inflammation. People with certain types of psoriasis and arthritis have high levels of the IL-17A protein.
By blocking IL-17A, Taltz decreases inflammation in your skin or joints. This helps ease the symptoms of your condition.
If you have questions about what to expect from your Taltz treatment, talk with your doctor.
How Taltz affects your immune system
Although suppressing the immune system is necessary for Taltz to block the action of the IL-17 (which is found in the immune system), this effect of the drug increases certain risks.
The immune system’s role in your body is to help prevent or minimize infections. So undergoing treatment with a drug that reduces its ability to work effectively, such as Taltz, raises your risk of infection.
It’s common to get mild infections from time to time during your Taltz treatment. These may include:
- fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot or oral thrush
- upper respiratory infection, such as cough, throat infection, or the common cold
- conjunctivitis (pink eye)
In some cases, a more serious infection is possible with Taltz, such as tuberculosis (TB). Before using Taltz, talk with your doctor about your risk of infection and ways to help prevent infection during your treatment.
Taltz is prescribed to treat plaque psoriasis and certain types of arthritis. The drug may be effective at relieving the symptoms of your condition, but in doing so, it reduces the strength of your immune system.
Before you start Taltz treatment, you and your doctor should discuss the risks and benefits of this drug and whether it’s right for you.
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.
