How I Took Control of My Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis Symptoms

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Editor’s note: This article is written and sponsored by Sun Pharmaceutical ILUMYA and does not represent the opinions of Next Avenue. Next Avenue does not provide professional medical advice and does not endorse or promote any medication or medical treatment. Please always direct questions related to healthcare and medications to a medical professional.

Tommy, 75, lived most of his life without worrying about much. He loved to spend time outside with his family or run around with his grandchildren.  

But Tommy's life changed when he noticed red, itchy patches on his skin. The plaques soon spread to other parts of his body, and he knew it was more serious.  

Tommy's symptoms became so severe that it was difficult to keep up with his grandchildren's active lifestyles. He itched constantly, sometimes making himself bleed. And after a trip to the doctor, Tommy was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.   

"You don't realize how much something like moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis can impact your daily life until you're dealing with the constant flaking, itching and pain," said Tommy. 

Tommy's wife and three children also have psoriasis, so he was already familiar with the condition when he was diagnosed. As his plaques spread and the itching worsened, Tommy knew he needed to find a way to take control of his moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis symptoms.  

"I thought I could just power through," said Tommy. "But there comes a point when you have to admit you need to take the next step." 

Eventually, Tommy's dermatologist suggested he consider ILUMYA® (tildrakizumab-asmn).  

Soon after receiving his initial doses, Tommy's plaques began to clear up. With the improvement in his symptoms, he was able to spend time with his family and engage with his grandchildren.   

ILUMYA® was approved in 2018 and is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections, pills (systemic therapy), or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light). Tommy's dermatologist informed him of the most common side effects, which include upper respiratory infections, injection site redness and diarrhea. While some patients might experience side effects, Tommy did not.  

"If you are living with moderate-to-severe plaques psoriasis, reach out to your doctor," Tommy advised. "For patients who are 65 years and older, there are great treatment options available to you." 

For patients who are 65 years or older and covered under Medicare Part B with supplemental insurance, ILUMYA® is covered and your prescription may cost as little as $0. To learn more about Tommy's story and other ILUMYA® patients, visit www.ilumya.com/patient-stories. 

What is ILUMYA?  
 

ILUMYA® (tildrakizumab-asmn) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections, pills (systemic therapy), or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light).  
 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 

What is the most important information I should know about ILUMYA? 

Do not use ILUMYA if you have had a severe allergic reaction to ILUMYA or any of its ingredients.   

Get emergency medical help right away if you get any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: 

• feel faint 
• trouble breathing or throat tightness 
• swelling of your face, eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue or throat 
• chest tightness 
• skin rash 

ILUMYA is a medicine that may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with ILUMYA and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with ILUMYA if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with ILUMYA. 

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, including: 

• fever, sweats, or chills 
• muscle aches 
• weight loss 
• cough 
• warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body different from your psoriasis 
• diarrhea or stomach pain 
• shortness of breath 
• burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal 
• blood in your phlegm (mucus) 

Before receiving ILUMYA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: 

• have any of the conditions or symptoms listed in the section “What is the most important information I should know about ILUMYA?” 
• have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back 
• have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB  
• recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine (immunization). You should avoid receiving live vaccines during treatment with ILUMYA. 
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ILUMYA can harm your unborn baby. 
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ILUMYA passes into your breast milk. 

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.  

It is not known if ILUMYA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age. 

What are the possible side effects of ILUMYA? 

ILUMYA may cause serious side effects. See "What is the most important information I should know about ILUMYA?"  

The most common side effects of ILUMYA include upper respiratory infections, injection site reactions and diarrhea. These are not all of the possible side effects of ILUMYA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. 

You are encouraged to report any negative side effects of ILUMYA to FDA. Visit call 1-800-FDA-1088. You are also encouraged to report side effects or ADEs (adverse drug events) to our Drug Safety Department at 1-800-406-7984 or [email protected] (preferred) with as much information as available. 

Please read the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for ILUMYA and discuss any questions with your doctor.

By Sun Pharma

ILUMYA is a registered trademark of Sun Pharma Global FZE.