Bimzelx dosage, forms, and strengths

Bimzelx is a brand-name prescription injection used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis by clearing the skin of the signs and evidence of psoriasis. Each injection contains a bimekizumab-bkzx antibody that blocks chemicals critical to the body’s inflammatory response during a psoriasis flare-up. At the start of treatment, Bimzelx injections will occur every four weeks. Later, maintenance doses are injected every eight weeks.

Bimzelx forms and strengths

Bimzelx is injected beneath the skin. Patients or caregivers can administer these injections using an autoinjector or a prefilled syringe.

• Prefilled autoinjector: 160 mg/mL

• Prefilled syringe: 160 mg/mL

Bimzelx dosage for adults

Bimzelx is only used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults needing systemic therapy (nontopical drugs) or phototherapy. It is never used in people with an active infection or active tuberculosis. Healthcare providers also avoid prescribing Bimzelx to any person with active inflammatory bowel disease or severe liver problems. Doses are administered by a caregiver or patient using a pen autoinjector or prefilled syringe. Two consecutive injections are required for a single dose of 320 mg.

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Bimzelx dosage for psoriasis

Bimzelx is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat plaque psoriasis, promote skin clearance, and improve overall symptoms. Bimzelx is a monoclonal antibody called an interleukin inhibitor. The active ingredient in Bimzelx blocks interleukin 17A (IL 17A) and interleukin 17F (IL 17F), two inflammatory proteins in large numbers in psoriatic skin tissues. These two proteins stimulate the release of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines that cause the swelling and discomfort of psoriasis flare-ups. Interleukin 17A also stimulates skin cells to proliferate, contributing to the growth of psoriatic plaques. 

The standard dose is 320 mg. The first five injections are all administered four weeks apart. After the dose at week 16, each 320 mg injection is administered every eight weeks. Bimzelx does not come in single-dose prefilled syringes or pen injectors. Instead, each prefilled syringe or autoinjector contains half a dose (160 mg), so administering a dose will require two injections.

• Bimzelx dosage for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults: 320 mg subcutaneous injection every 8 weeks 

• Bimzelx starting dosage for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults: 320 mg subcutaneous injection every four weeks from weeks 0 to 16 

Bimzelx dosage for children

Bimzelx is not FDA-approved for use in children.

Bimzelx dosage restrictions

No dosage restrictions or modifications are required for kidney disease, liver impairment, or other medical conditions. However, healthcare providers may avoid using Bimzelx in people with severe liver disease or liver cirrhosis. 

Since Bimzelx is an immune suppressant, it increases the risk of infections. Healthcare providers will not start Bimzelx treatment in any person with an active infection. People with a latent TB infection may need TB treatment before starting Bimzelx. 

How to take Bimzelx

Bimzelx is a self-administered injection. A healthcare provider will demonstrate how to administer injections and which parts of the body should be used. Make sure you understand these instructions. 

This medicine comes with Instructions for Use. Make sure you read or review these instructions before each injection. The following instructions should not substitute for the step-by-step illustrated instructions that come with Bimzelx:

• Use Bimzelx as directed by a doctor.

• Self-administer the first dose under the guidance and supervision of a healthcare provider with the proper training.

• One dose of Bimzelx requires two injections, one after another.

• Self-injections can be given in the stomach area or upper thighs. A caregiver can inject Bimzelx on the back of the upper arm.

• Do not inject Bimzelx into skin that is red, bruised, tender, hard, or affected by psoriasis. 

• How to store Bimzelx:

  • Store Bimzelx in its original container in the refrigerator until ready for injection. Do not freeze.

  • Bimzelx can be stored at room temperature (no higher than 77˚F) for up to 30 days if necessary. Do not put it back in the refrigerator.

  • The Bimzelx autoinjector or pre-filled syringe should be removed from the refrigerator 30 to 45 minutes before the injection to allow the medicine to come to room temperature.

  • Do not shake Bimzelx autoinjectors or prefilled syringes.

• How to use the Bimzelx autoinjector:

  • Wash your hands.

  • Remove the autoinjector from the carton and inspect it. Follow the Instructions for Use for guidance.

  • Clean the injection area with an alcohol swab.

  • Remove the cap from the autoinjector. Once removed, the cap should not be placed back on the needle. Do not touch the needle cover.

  • Holding the pen by the handle, place the pen tip at a 90˚angle flat onto the skin.

  • Press firmly down. The pen will click to indicate the injection has started.

  • The injection will take about 15 seconds. Do not move the autoinjector during the injection. 

  • The autoinjector will click a second time to indicate the injection is finished. The yellow color indicator should fill the medicine window.

  • Remove the autoinjector by pulling it straight up.

  • Throw the autoinjector away in a sharps container.

  • Choose a different injection site for the second injection.

• How to use Bimzelx prefilled syringes:

  • Always hold the syringe around the finger grip.

  • Never hold the syringe by the plunger cap. It could come off. If that happens, throw away the syringe and medicine.

  • Wash your hands.

  • Remove the syringe from the carton and inspect it. Follow the Instructions for Use when inspecting the syringe.

  • Clean the injection area with an alcohol swab.

  • Remove the cap from the syringe. Do not put the cap back on the needle.

  • Gently squeeze together the skin at the injection site. Hold it squeezed together during the injection.

  • Holding the syringe by the barrel, insert the needle into the skin at a 45˚angle.

  • Without removing the needle, stop squeezing the skin. The skin should lie flat during the injection. 

  • Slowly push the plunger down until it reaches the bottom of the syringe.

  • Remove the needle. The needle will move back under the guard and lock in place.

  • Throw the empty syringe away in a sharps container.

  • Use a different injection site for the second injection.

Bimzelx dosage FAQs

How long does it take Bimzelx to work?

People taking Bimzelx can expect to notice significant skin clearance by the end of four weeks. Clinical trials found that after four months, 85–91% of people achieved a skin clearance score of 90 (mostly complete skin clearance), and 59–68% of people achieved a score of 100 (complete skin clearance).

How long does Bimzelx stay in your system?

The half-life of bimekizumab-bkzx is 23 days, so it should take the body about three months to completely clear a dose of Bimzelx from the system. 

What happens if I miss a dose of Bimzelx?

If a dose is missed, take it when remembered. Take the next dose at the next scheduled time.

How long can you take Bimzelx?

Bimzelx is intended for long-term use. The goal of Bimzelx is to clear the skin as measured by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores and reduce the severity of psoriasis symptoms as measured by the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) scale. Once people have hit PASI scores over 90 and IGA scores of 0 or 1, Bimzelx is continued for months or years as a maintenance treatment. 

How do I stop taking Bimzelx?

Bimzelx can be stopped at any time without causing withdrawal effects. The healthcare provider may need to stop Bimzelx in people who experience liver problems or worsening inflammatory bowel disease. A different biologic, such as Humira (adalimumab), Taltz (ixekizumab), or Stelara (ustekinumab), could be prescribed instead. Other treatment alternatives include topical drugs, immune-suppressing oral drugs, and phototherapy.

What is the maximum dosage for Bimzelx?

There is no specified maximum dosage for Bimzelx. Consider the recommended dose to be the maximum dose allowed.

Can you overdose on Bimzelx?

A Bimzelx overdose is unlikely. If too much Bimzelx is injected, call the prescribing healthcare provider or a poison helpline.

What interacts with Bimzelx?

Treatment with Bimzelx can alter the level of certain cytokines associated with CYP450 enzymes. Healthcare providers should monitor the effect of certain drugs that are CYP450 substrates, such as warfarin or a cyclosporine.

Due to the increased risk of infections, healthcare providers are cautious about prescribing Bimzelx with other biologic or systemic drugs that suppress the immune system. Live vaccines cannot be given with Bimzelx because of the risk of serious infections. Bimzelx may decrease the effectiveness of other types of vaccines. Before starting Bimzelx, healthcare providers will administer any vaccines indicated by current immunization guidelines.

What happens when you mix Bimzelx and alcohol?

Bimzelx does not interact with alcohol. However, Bimzelx can cause elevated liver enzymes, leading to liver dysfunction. Because alcohol also affects the liver, a healthcare provider may advise that alcohol be avoided while taking Bimzelx.

Is it safe to take Bimzelx during pregnancy?

There is not enough data to evaluate the safety of Bimzelx during pregnancy.There is no evidence that Bimzelx harms a fetus or affects a pregnancy, but there are not enough studies to confirm its safety. Women should get medical advice from the prescriber about taking Bimzelx while pregnant.

Is it safe to take Bimzelx while breastfeeding?

Healthcare providers do not know if Bimzelx affects lactation, is present in breast milk, or affects a nursing infant. As a protein, bimekizumab-bkzx will be broken down in the infant’s digestive system, so healthcare providers do not think it will harm a baby.

What are the side effects of Bimzelx?

The most common side effects of Bimzelx are infections, headaches, and injection site reactions. The most common infections experienced while taking Bimzelx include upper respiratory tract infections, herpes simplex infections, acne, folliculitis, gastroenteritis (digestive system infections), oral candidiasis (thrush), tinea infections (ringworm), and other fungal infections. 

What are the serious side effects of Bimzelx?

The most serious adverse reactions to Bimzelx are suicidal thoughts and behaviors, serious infections, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), and liver injury.