When you hear risankizumab, a targeted biologic medication used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis by blocking the IL-23 protein that drives skin inflammation. Also known as Skyrizi, it’s one of the newer options for people who haven’t responded to older treatments like methotrexate or topical steroids. Unlike broad immunosuppressants that weaken your whole immune system, risankizumab zeroes in on one specific pathway—IL-23—that’s overactive in psoriasis. This makes it more precise, with fewer side effects for many patients.
It’s part of a group called IL-23 inhibitors, a class of biologic drugs designed to stop the body’s mistaken attack on its own skin cells. Other drugs in this group include guselkumab and tildrakizumab. Risankizumab isn’t a cure, but for many, it clears 90% or more of skin plaques after a few months. It’s given as an injection, usually once every 12 weeks after two initial doses. People often switch to it after trying TNF blockers like adalimumab or ustekinumab, especially if those stopped working or caused unwanted side effects.
While risankizumab is mostly used for psoriasis, it’s also being studied for psoriatic arthritis and Crohn’s disease—conditions tied to the same inflammatory pathways. That’s why you’ll see posts here about biologic drugs, medications made from living cells that target specific parts of the immune system in general, including how they compare to older treatments, what their real-world side effects are, and how they stack up against non-drug approaches. You’ll also find content on related topics like managing chronic skin inflammation, understanding immune system triggers, and how lifestyle choices can support or interfere with treatment.
The posts below aren’t just about risankizumab itself—they cover the bigger picture: how biologics fit into modern treatment plans, what alternatives exist for stubborn cases, and how patients track progress and manage long-term care. Whether you’re considering this drug, already using it, or just trying to understand why your doctor suggested it, these articles give you real, practical info without the jargon. No fluff. Just what you need to know to make sense of your options.
IBD biologics like anti-TNF, anti-integrin, and IL-12/23 inhibitors offer targeted treatment for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. Learn how they work, compare effectiveness, costs, and safety, and find out which one may be right for you.