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Case Reports
. 2021 Jan;28(1):50-52.
doi: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2019-002016. Epub 2019 Oct 3.

Ulcerative colitis induced by ixekizumab: a case report

Marta Marin  1 , Natalia Alzueta  2 , María Pío  1 , Ana Gascón  1 , Marta Castresana  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Ulcerative colitis induced by ixekizumab: a case report

Marta Marin et al. Eur J Hosp Pharm. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

A possible case of ulcerative colitis (UC) developed during treatment with ixekizumab is reported. Ixekizumab is a human monoclonal antibody approved for chronic plaque psoriasis that works by blocking interleukin-17 (IL-17). Cytoquines, such as IL-17, may be involved in the pathophysiology of psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases. We describe the case of a 76-year-old woman who presented with an episode of acute self-limited colitis after receiving ten doses of ixekizumab. It was resolved after treatment withdrawal. A re-challenge was done after 3 months and symptoms returned. Colonoscopy results confirmed the diagnosis of UC. Symptoms remitted after drug discontinuation and treatment with corticosteroids. Four months after stopping ixekizumab, she remains asymptomatic and she is being treated with guselkumab with adequate response. The Naranjo algorithm revealed a probable causal relationship.This adverse event should be taken into account by physicians and pharmacists before prescribing or reviewing therapies in order to improve patients' safety.

Keywords: adverse effects; ixekizumab; pharmacovigilance; psoriasis; ulcerative colitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

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