Ixekizumab (Taltz) has been listed on the PBS from 1 March for the treatment of severe psoriatic arthritis.

The interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor, will be available as an Authority Required listing for adult patients with severe psoriatic arthritis as monotherapy or in combination with cDMARDs in adult patients who have responded inadequately, or who are intolerant to one or more DMARD therapies.

Ixekizumab is already listed on the PBS for the treatment of severe chronic plaque psoriasis and the extension of its indication is expected to benefit about 2,500 Australians with severe psoriatic arthritis.

The listing was welcomed by Associate Professor Peter Nash, of the University of Queensland, who said it would be a useful treatment option for the one in eight patients with psoriasis who develop psoriatic arthritis.

“We know that half of patients with active psoriatic arthritis, including those with mild psoriasis, actually consider their psoriatic arthritis to be severe, highlighting the negative impact of both rash and arthritis,” he said.

“It is important to consider therapy for both joint and skin symptoms in relevant patients, to help improve symptom control and quality of life,” he added.

Ixekizumab is administered by subcutaneous injection, delivered via an auto-injector. For severe psoriatic arthritis the recommended dose is 160 mg (two 80 mg injections) at Week 0, followed by 80 mg (one injection) every four weeks.

The listing follows the PBS listing on 1 February of two other biologics, tildrakizumab (Ilumya) and guselkumab (Tremfya), for patients with severe chronic plaque psoriasis.