Key takeaways

Skyrizi is a prescription medication used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Skyrizi is a biologic medication that works to reduce inflammation and swelling associated with inflammatory conditions.
Biologic medications can lower the body’s ability to fight infections.
Alternative medications include other biologic drugs, such as interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitors, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, interleukin (IL)-12/23 inhibitors, and interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors.

In this article:

What can I take in place of Skyrizi?
Top 5 Skyrizi alternatives
Natural alternatives to Skyrizi
How to switch to a Skyrizi alternative

In this article

What can I take in place of Skyrizi?
Top 5 Skyrizi alternatives
Natural alternatives to Skyrizi
How to switch to a Skyrizi alternative

Skyrizi (risankizumab) is a brand-name prescription medication used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions, including plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Medication treatment like Skyrizi is typically used for moderate to severe forms of these conditions. Skyrizi is available as a solution that is injected subcutaneously, which means this medicine is injected into the fatty tissue just under the skin (typically in the thighs, abdomen, or back of upper arms). There are several injection device preparations for Skyrizi, such as a prefilled syringe, autoinjector, and cartridge. Skyrizi belongs to a group of medications called monoclonal antibodies and specifically works by blocking a natural protein in the body (interleukin-23) that may cause inflammation and swelling (also referred to as an IL-23 inhibitor). This drug is classified as a biologic medication that can affect the immune system, and as a result, Skyrizi can lower the body’s ability to fight infections.

While an effective treatment for some people, Skyrizi may not be the best and safest treatment for everyone, treating plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis. Common side effects of Skyrizi include injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections, headaches, fungal skin infections, and fatigue. However, more serious side effects include an increased risk of serious infections, liver damage, and anaphylaxis (a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction). It’s important that a healthcare professional checks for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with Skyrizi.

What can I take in place of Skyrizi?

Other treatment options are available for inflammatory conditions like plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis that do not improve with Skyrizi. Depending on the condition being treated, these alternative prescription medications can include other interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitors, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, interleukin (IL)-12/23 inhibitors, interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors, and Janus kinase inhibitor (JAK) inhibitors. These alternative options are used for moderate to severe forms of these inflammatory conditions. Some other options are self-administered injections, like Skyrizi, and others can be taken by mouth in pill form. These options may be more suitable for certain individuals due to their different uses, side effect profiles, and dosages.

Compare Skyrizi alternatives
Drug name	Uses	Dosage	Savings options
Skyrizi (risankizumab)	Crohn’s disease Plaque psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis Ulcerative colitis	Indication-specific dosing: Plaque psoriasis/ Psoriatic arthritis Inject 150 mg subcutaneously at weeks 0, 4, and then every 12 weeks thereafter Crohn’s disease/ Ulcerative colitis Initial: Intravenous administration of 600 mg or 1,200 mg at weeks 0, 4, and 8 Maintenance: Inject 180 to 360 mg subcutaneously at week 12 and every 8 weeks thereafter	Skyrizi coupons
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol)	Ankylosing spondylitis Axial spondyloarthritis Crohn’s disease Plaque psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis	Indication-specific dosing: Ankylosing spondylitis/ Axial spondyloarthritis/ Crohn’s disease/ Psoriatic arthritis/ Rheumatoid arthritis Initial: Inject 400 mg subcutaneously, repeat dose 2 and 4 weeks after the initial dose Maintenance: Inject 400 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks Plaque psoriasis Inject 400 mg subcutaneously every other week	Cimzia coupons
Cosentyx (secukinumab)	Ankylosing spondylitis Axial spondyloarthritis Enthesitis-related arthritis Hidradenitis suppurativa Plaque psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis	Indication-specific dosing: Ankylosing spondylitis/ Axial spondyloarthritis/ Enthesitis-related arthritis/ Psoriatic arthritis With a loading dose: Inject 150 mg subcutaneously at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, followed by 150 mg every 4 weeks; increase to 300 mg every 4 weeks if appropriate for the condition Without a loading dose: Inject 150 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks; increase to 300 mg every 4 weeks if appropriate for the condition Hidradenitis suppurativa/ Plaque psoriasis Inject 300 mg subcutaneously at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, followed by 300 mg every 4 weeks; increase to 300 mg every 2 weeks if appropriate for the condition	Cosentyx coupons
Enbrel (etanercept)	Ankylosing spondylitis Juvenile psoriatic arthritis Plaque psoriasis Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis Psoriatic arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis	Indication-specific dosing: Once-weekly dosing: Inject 50 mg subcutaneously once weekly Twice-weekly dosing: Inject 25 mg subcutaneously twice weekly	Enbrel coupons
Humira (adalimumab)	Ankylosing spondylitis Axial spondyloarthritis Crohn’s disease Hidradenitis suppurativa Juvenile idiopathic arthritis Plaque psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Ulcerative colitis Uveitis (non-infectious)	Indication-specific dosing: Initial: Specific to condition Maintenance: Inject 40 mg subcutaneously every other week; may increase to 40 mg every week or 80 mg every other week depending on the condition being treated	Humira coupons
Ilumya (tildrakizumab)	Plaque psoriasis	Subcutaneous administration of 100 mg at weeks 0, 4, and then every 12 weeks thereafter.	This drug is administered by a healthcare practitioner
Otezla (apremilast)	Behçet disease Plaque psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis	Initial: Day 1: Take 10 mg tablet by mouth once. Day 2: Take 10 mg tablet by mouth twice daily Day 3: Take 10 mg tablet by mouth in the morning and 20 mg in the evening Day 4: Take 20 mg tablet by mouth twice daily Day 5: Take 20 mg tablet by mouth in the morning and 30 mg in the evening Maintenance: Take 30 mg tablet by mouth twice daily starting on day 6	Otezla coupons
Rinvoq (upadacitinib)	Ankylosing spondylitis Atopic dermatitis Axial spondyloarthritis Crohn’s disease Juvenile idiopathic arthritis Psoriatic arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Ulcerative colitis	Indication-specific dosing: Ankylosing spondylitis/ Axial spondyloarthritis/ Psoriatic arthritis/ Rheumatoid arthritis Take 15 mg tablet by mouth once daily Atopic dermatitis Take 15 to 30 mg tablet by mouth once daily Crohn’s disease/ Ulcerative colitis Take 45 mg tablet by mouth once daily for 8-12 weeks, depending on the condition, then take 15 to 30 mg tablet by mouth once daily	Rinvoq coupons
Siliq (brodalumab)	Plaque psoriasis	Inject 210 mg subcutaneously at weeks 0, 1, and 2, followed by 210 mg once every 2 weeks	Siliq coupons
Stelara (ustekinumab)	Crohn’s disease Plaque psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis Ulcerative colitis	Intravenous dose is weight-based	Stelara coupons
Taltz (ixekizumab)	Ankylosing spondylitis Axial spondyloarthritis Plaque psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis	Initial: Specific to condition Maintenance: Inject 80 mg subcutaneously every four weeks	Taltz coupons
Tremfya (guselkumab)	Plaque psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis Ulcerative colitis	Initial: Specific to condition Maintenance: Inject 100 mg subcutaneously every 8 weeks	Tremfya coupons

Other alternatives to Skyrizi

There are a variety of other alternatives that can be used, including biologic and non-biologic options. These non-biologic options may be better suited for mild to moderate forms of inflammatory conditions or for individuals who cannot tolerate biologic medications. Non-biologic options may include topical drugs, oral tablets/capsules, and even ultraviolet or UV light (phototherapy).

Top 5 Skyrizi alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternatives to Skyrizi.

1. Humira (adalimumab)

Humira is a brand-name medication that is also available as several biosimilar medications that contain the same ingredient, adalimumab, such as Abrilada, Cyltezo, and Hulio. These biosimilar medications may be more affordable. Humira is a monoclonal antibody that is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. TNF is a protein in the body that causes inflammation and Humira can be used to stop this inflammation. This alternative can treat a wide variety of inflammatory conditions such as plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Like Skyrizi, Humira is a subcutaneous injectable medication, so it’s important to learn proper technique for self-injecting the medicine. TNF inhibitors also have an increased risk for all types of infections, including tuberculosis (TB) and fungal infections.

2. Cimzia (certolizumab pegol)

Cimzia is a brand-name medication that contains the ingredient certolizumab peg and is another TNF inhibitor. This alternative can be used to treat similar conditions, plus other inflammatory conditions, including ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis. As a subcutaneous injectable medicine, Cimzia can be self-administered at home after proper education by a healthcare provider. In general, TNF inhibitors are well tolerated, with the most common side effects including headaches, injection site reaction, rashes, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. It’s important to monitor for any signs of infection during treatment as there is an increased risk of infection.

3. Stelara (ustekinumab)

Stelara is a brand-name medication with recently FDA-approved biosimilar versions containing the same ingredient, ustekinumab. This alternative targets the protein interleukin, similar to Skyrizi, but specifically is an interleukin (IL)-12/23 inhibitor. Stelara can be used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Stelara has mild common side effects, including headache, fatigue, and injection site reactions, such as redness, abdominal pain, and sinusitis. The major side effects like serious infections and major adverse cardiovascular events are rare. This alternative is also a subcutaneous injectable medicine and may require an intravenous starting dose given by a healthcare provider, depending on the condition being treated.

4. Tremfya (guselkumab)

Tremfya is a brand-name medication that contains the ingredient guselkumab. Like Skyrizi, this alternative is in the same drug class, targets the protein interleukin, and is an interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitor. Tremfya can be used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Common side effects include upper respiratory infections, headache, injection site reactions, joint pain, and diarrhea. Depending on the condition being treated, Tremfya may require an intravenous starting dose given by a healthcare provider. This alternative is also available as a subcutaneous injectable medicine in autoinjector and syringe form.

5. Rinvoq (upadacitinib)

Rinvoq is a brand-name oral prescription medication that contains the ingredient upadacitinib. Rinvoq is available as an oral tablet and oral liquid taken by mouth. This alternative can treat various conditions, including Crohn’s disease, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. This alternative is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that targets enzymes involved in inflammatory processes of immune-mediated conditions. Common side effects include upper respiratory infection, nausea, and acne. Rinvoq offers a different route of administration than Skyrizi and other alternatives. This alternative is typically taken by mouth once per day.

Natural alternatives to Skyrizi

While prescription medications are the standard for treating inflammatory conditions like plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, natural remedies can be used in addition to help supplement medication treatment.

An autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables may help reduce inflammation. This diet avoids gluten, fried foods, highly processed foods, trans fats, dairy, and refined sugar.

Certain anti-inflammatory supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin D, and curcumin, may be useful. Natural remedies like prebiotics and probiotics may also help build up and protect the gut lining.

How to switch to a Skyrizi alternative

1. Discuss all health conditions with a healthcare provider

Before switching from Skyrizi to an alternative, it’s important the prescribing provider is aware of all medical history and conditions, as some alternatives should be used with caution or avoided with certain medical conditions. Medication guides are useful for additional information related to these warnings.

2. Do not suddenly stop taking Skyrizi without medical advice

Only stop taking Skyrizi if the healthcare provider has instructed you to stop the medication. People who stop Skyrizi may notice an increase in symptoms. Make a treatment plan with the healthcare provider to avoid flare-ups of the inflammatory condition being treated.

3. Discuss all prescription and OTC medications with a healthcare provider

Before switching from Skyrizi to an alternative, it’s important a healthcare provider reviews a complete medication list, including prescription drugs, OTC (over-the-counter) medications, and supplements. Some alternative medications have dangerous drug interactions that must be avoided.

Skyrizi alternatives: What can I take instead of Skyrizi?