Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) is prescribed for Crohn’s disease and certain other inflammatory conditions. As with other drugs, Skyrizi can cause side effects, such as headache and injection site reactions.

Skyrizi is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following conditions in adults:

For a general overview of Skyrizi, including details about its uses, see this Skyrizi overview article.

Skyrizi can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Skyrizi in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Skyrizi use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects reported with the drug. For more information, you can refer to Skyrizi’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Skyrizi can include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Skyrizi and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Skyrizi may cause serious side effects, which are sometimes called adverse effects. It isn’t expected that any of these will last long term.

The list below may not include all possible reported serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Skyrizi’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Skyrizi, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects, which are discussed in the “Side effect specifics” section, can include:

Skyrizi may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Skyrizi cause hair loss?

No, people taking Skyrizi in clinical trials did not report hair loss.

However, hair loss has been reported with some other drugs in the same drug class as Skyrizi, which is disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Examples of these drugs include methotrexate (Trexall) and leflunomide (Arava).

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about side effects of Skyrizi or other medications you take.

Are weight gain and weight loss side effects of Skyrizi?

Neither weight gain nor weight loss appears to be a side effect of Skyrizi. People taking the drug in clinical trials didn’t report gaining or losing weight.

It’s important to note that weight loss can be a symptom of a serious infection, which is a rare side effect that Skyrizi may cause. If you experience unexplained weight loss while using the drug, talk with your doctor right away.

You can also talk with your doctor to learn more about managing your weight.

Can Skyrizi cause depression?

No, depression is not a known side effect of Skyrizi. People taking Skyrizi in clinical trials didn’t report having depression.

However, it’s important to note that plaque psoriasis and depression may have links. (Skyrizi is approved to treat plaque psoriasis in certain adults.)

If you notice changes in your mood while taking Skyrizi, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the right treatment for you.

Is acne one of Skyrizi’s side effects?

No, acne wasn’t reported as a side effect by people taking Skyrizi in clinical trials.

Skyrizi is a type of drug called a biologic. In rare cases, other biologic drugs used to treat plaque psoriasis have been known to cause acne. These drugs belong to a group of medications known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockers. Examples include infliximab (Remicade) and adalimumab (Humira).

If you’re concerned about acne, talk with your doctor. They can suggest options for treating the condition.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Skyrizi may cause.

Serious infection

Skyrizi treatment may increase the risk of serious infection, including tuberculosis (TB). This side effect was reported by people taking the drug in clinical trials, although serious infections were rare.

With plaque psoriasis, your immune system mistakenly attacks your body. Skyrizi helps treat plaque psoriasis by reducing immune system activity, which is sometimes referred to weakening the immune system. But a weaker immune system may also increase the risk of infection.

You may be at a higher risk for serious infection if you take Skyrizi and have a history of chronic (long term) or recurring infections.

What you can do

Before you start treatment with Skyrizi, your doctor will test you for TB. If you test positive, they may treat the TB before you start taking Skyrizi. In addition, your doctor will typically monitor you for serious infection during your Skyrizi treatment.

You should also watch for any symptoms of serious infection, which can include:

If you develop symptoms of a serious infection, see your doctor right away. If you develop a serious infection while taking Skyrizi, your doctor may have you stop taking the drug.

Skyrizi injection site reaction

Injection site reactions can occur at or near the site where you received your Skyrizi dose. These reactions can include:

  • swelling
  • pain
  • redness or change in skin color
  • itching

What you can do

To help prevent injection site reactions, try to vary where you inject Skyrizi. You should not self-inject in areas where your skin is hard, bruised, or a deeper color than usual.

The reactions usually go away on their own after a few days. But if you experience injection site reactions that don’t go away or bother you, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to relieve your symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend a different medication for your condition.

Fatigue

Fatigue was one of the more common mild side effects reported by people taking Skyrizi in clinical trials. But most people who took the drug didn’t experience this side effect. And there weren’t reports of anyone having severe fatigue while using Skyrizi.

Fatigue can occur even when you get enough sleep. In addition, you may feel sluggish or weaker than usual during Skyrizi treatment.

What you can do

If you experience fatigue while taking Skyrizi, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to help ease this side effect. The fatigue isn’t likely to be severe. But if you find that it affects your daily life, your doctor may recommend a treatment other than Skyrizi.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Skyrizi can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it difficult to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, talk with your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Skyrizi. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Before using Skyrizi, discuss your health history with your doctor. Skyrizi may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Alcohol with Skyrizi

There are no known interactions between drinking alcohol and using Skyrizi.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before you start Skyrizi treatment. They can advise you on how much alcohol may be safe for you to consume.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Skyrizi

Here’s some information on the use of Skyrizi while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Pregnancy: It’s not known whether Skyrizi is safe to use while pregnant. Animal studies showed that the drug may cause harm to a fetus. But animal studies don’t always predict what will happen when people use the drug.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about treatment options for your condition.

Breastfeeding: It’s not known if it’s safe to use Skyrizi while breastfeeding. This is because it’s unclear whether the drug passes into human breast milk. Therefore, it’s unknown whether Skyrizi could cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before you use Skyrizi. They can advise you on the pros and cons of the medication. They can also advise you on healthy ways to feed your child.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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 other 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.