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Skyrizi Dosing: Schedule, Dosage Forms, and What to Expect
- Posted On:
- 2 Jul, 2026
- 14 min read
-
Introducing Skyrizi, the innovative self-injectable treatment that targets the root cause of plaque psoriasis, eczema, and psoriatic arthritis.Starting From $7,772.60
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Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) is a type of biologic medication that is used to treat a few different kinds of conditions. These conditions include those like Crohn’s disease and psoriasis. It also includes psoriatic arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Patients taking this medication are instructed to follow strict dosing schedules. It is necessary for patients to follow these dosing schedules to make sure they are taking a safe and effective amount of the medication. Dosing schedules may vary from patient to patient.
- Introducing Skyrizi, the innovative self-injectable treatment that targets the root cause of plaque psoriasis, eczema, and psoriatic arthritis.Starting From $7,772.60
10% Off On Your First Order
Click on the Copy Code button to copy your code.
No Expiry
Exclusive On Duty Free Meds Only
- Skyrizi is a biologic medication used to treat several different medical issues
- Dosing schedules vary by condition and include both IV and subcutaneous injection options
- Loading doses are required early in treatment to build up medication levels in the body
- Most patients can self-inject maintenance doses at home with proper training and preparation
- Clinical trials show that noticeable results can appear as early as 4 weeks after starting treatment
How Skyrizi Works
Skyrizi is a type of interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor. This type of inhibitor uses proteins to set a pathway to reduce inflammation at the source by targeting cytokines. This medication also stops the immune system from overactivity for people struggling with chronic inflammatory conditions.
There are a couple of different ways that Skyrizi may be administered to the patient. Some patients may receive a prescription for a subcutaneous injection version of the medication. Other patients may be prescribed to take the medication through an IV infusion. The medication can have lasting effects for 21-28 days. This depends on the condition it is being used to treat.
Skyrizi Dosing Guide: Summary Table
| Indication | Loading/Induction Phase | Maintenance Phase | Type of Administration | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skyrizi Dosing for Plaque Psoriasis | 150 mg subcutaneous injection at week 0 and week 4 | 150 mg subcutaneous injection every 12 weeks | Prefilled pen or syringe |
|
| Skyrizi Dosing for Psoriatic Arthritis | 150 mg subcutaneous injection at week 0 and week 4 | 150 mg subcutaneous injection every 12 weeks | Prefilled pen or syringe |
|
| Skyrizi Dosing for Crohn’s Disease | 600 mg IV at weeks 0, 4, and 8 | 180 mg or 360 mg subcutaneous injection every 8 weeks, starting at week 12 | IV infusion (loading), prefilled syringe/on-body injector |
|
| Skyrizi Dosing for Ulcerative Colitis | 1,200 mg IV at weeks 0, 4, and 8 | 180 mg or 360 mg subcutaneous injection every 8 weeks, starting at week 12 | IV infusion (loading), prefilled syringe/on-body injector |
|
Skyrizi Administration Tips
Skyrizi can be prescribed in the form of a pen or a single-dose prefilled syringe. Most doses of the medication are able to be injected by patients themselves at home. However, this may not be the case for the IV doses of the medication for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Skyrizi should be stored in the patient’s refrigerator before they inject their doses at home and left out for 30-90 minutes before they take their dose so it can come to room temperature. Frozen liquid should never be used if it has been thawed out.
Injection sites should be rotated for each dose. A dose should never be injected into an area of irritated or scarred skin.
Pen Administration
Patients should let their pen sit at room temperature for between half an hour and an hour before making their injection. They can then start their pen dosage by first selecting their injection site. This site should be located at least a couple of inches away from their belly button. These injection sites are typically located in the patient’s stomach or thigh area. This area should then be cleaned off with an alcohol swab in a circular motion. The patient can remove the cap from their pen once their skin has dried. The pen cap should be facing up and the cap can be discarded immediately after it is removed.
The liquid in the pen should appear clear and slightly yellow in color. Some small clear, or white particles or bubbles may be present. The needle sleeve should then be turned to face the injection site and the green activator button should be on top. Patients should then pinch their injection site area and place the sleeve on the area in a 90-degree angle. The sleeve should be pushed firmly against the injection site and the green activator button can then be pressed.
The patient should continue to push the pen down for 15 seconds. Or until a second click is heard. The yellow indicator will be all the way down once the injection is complete and the patient can then slowly remove the pen straight up from their skin. A cotton swab or gauze can then be used over the injection site and the pen can be safely disposed of in the correct container.
Syringe Administration
The medication should be taken out of the refrigerator and ideally be left at room temperature for anywhere between 15 minutes to 30 minutes before making the injection. Patients giving themselves their syringe dosage can do so by first locating their injection site area. These may be in their stomach or thigh. It should also be located a couple of inches away from their belly button. Patients should also wash their hands and wipe down the injection site with an alcohol swab before making the injection. They can make the injection once the skin is dry by holding the syringe with the needle facing down and removing the cover.
The patient should then pinch the skin at the injection site gently and insert the needle at a 45-degree angle. The patient can then inject the medication and clean the area with a gauze or cotton ball once they are finished. The syringe should be safely disposed of afterwards in the correct container.
What to Do When You Forget a Dose
If a patient misses a Skyrizi dose, they should take it as soon as they realize it was missed. They can then continue their next dose as usual on the regular date that it is scheduled for. The only exception to this rule is if it is close to the time of the next scheduled dose. Patients should skip their missed doses in this case. Doses of this medication should never be doubled. Patients should ask their doctor if they have any questions about their missed dose – such as whether or not they should take it – or if this is a recurring issue.
Dosing Considerations
Skyrizi is known to lower the immune system of patients who take it. This is why patients should never take live vaccines when they are on this medication. Patients taking this medication should make sure to complete all required vaccinations before starting their treatment. Any live vaccines should be avoided during their therapy. Doing so will increase their likelihood of developing serious infections.
Patients should also not combine this medication with other medications that may lower their immune system. This may include medications like sulfasalazine and azathioprine. It also includes medications such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. However, methotrexate can be used alone or in combination with Skyrizi for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis.
There are no currently known or proven interactions or benefits between Skyrizi and most vitamins/minerals or herbal products and other supplements. However, this does not mean interactions are impossible. Certain supplements may have theoretical risks. Patients should talk to their doctor before combining any of these products.
Patients should never use Skyrizi in addition to a different biologic medication that is used for autoimmune disorder treatment. This includes medications like Humira and Cimzia. It also includes other biologics like Enbrel and Stelara. One of the most common signs that something else the patient is taking is causing an interaction is signs of infection. Patients with signs of infection should contact their healthcare provider immediately so they can determine the exact cause and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Get more information about Skyrizi side effects here.
When to Expect Results
AbbVie shared promising results from its Phase III INSPIRE study in people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in March 2023. About 20.3% of patients taking risankizumab went into clinical remission after 12 weeks of treatment. Only 6.2% of patients who received a placebo achieved remission in comparison.
Results from a couple of different clinical studies indicate that patients using the medication for Crohn’s disease started experiencing a significant relief in symptoms within four months and 44% of patients experienced early remission within 12 weeks. 61% of patients achieved lasting remission at one year. About 36% of patients also experienced improvements in the damage of their intestinal lining at 12 weeks – and 50% at one year.
The third phase of the KEEPsAKE 2 trial – which focused on the medications’ effect for active psoriatic arthritis patients – randomly assigned 444 patients to either receive risankizumab (224 patients) or placebo (220 patients). 51.3% of patients taking risankizumab achieved the main goal (ACR20) after 24 weeks compared to 26.5% in the placebo group.
Additional data for psoriasis patients shows that about 75% of patients using this medication have skin that clears up by 90% within four months of using the medication. About 40% of those patients have skin that is 100% clear in that amount of time and about 60% of patients have 100% clear skin by the end of the first year using the medication. Large improvements in itching/burning and pain – as well as redness – were also relieved for most patients within four months.
Patients should make sure that they are following their doses as prescribed to them to achieve similar results to the medication. The consistency of the medication dosing schedule may impact the medication’s effectiveness.
Conclusion
Skyrizi has different dosing schedules depending on the condition it is being used to treat. Patients should always stick to their specific dosing schedule to get safe and effective results. It is best to speak to a licensed healthcare provider to get more personalized dosing support for the medication. There are additional support options for patients like Skyrizi Complete and other pharmacy support programs. Patients should also get injection training before giving themselves any of their doses. Additional injection training may also be available.
Visit Duty Free Meds today to get more affordable Canadian prices on medications like Skyrizi.
FAQ
What is the dosing calendar for Skyrizi?
The dosing calendar for Skyrizi depends on the condition being treated. The typical schedule for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is an initial dose at week 0 followed by a subsequent dose at week 4 and maintenance doses every 12 weeks. The loading phase for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis includes an IV infusion at week 0 and then every four weeks for 8 weeks (3 infusions). This is followed by subcutaneous injections every 8 weeks starting at week 12.
What are loading doses for Skyrizi?
The loading doses for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are 150 mg subcutaneous injections at week 0 and week 4. This dose for Crohn’s disease patients includes a 600 mg IV followed by a subsequent 600 mg IV at weeks 4 and 8. Ulcerative colitis patients have the same loading schedule. However, they are given a 1,200 mg IV instead.
What does one dose of Skyrizi typically cost?
The current Wholesale Acquisition Cost of the medication is set at $22,383.49 per dose. The exact amount a patient will pay depends on their insurance coverage and other factors.
What is the timeline for Skyrizi?
Some patients begin to see improvements in as little as 4 weeks. The biggest effects usually take place by 16 weeks for most people. This is what was observed in clinical trials.
Sources
Disclaimer: The information presented here is intended solely for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as medical advice, a diagnosis, or specific treatment recommendations. It does not imply endorsement of any particular medication or therapy. Health conditions and treatment responses can differ significantly between individuals; thus, this information is not a guarantee of safety, suitability, or effectiveness for anyone in particular. Always seek the guidance of a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice and consult them before making any health or treatment decisions.
