What is Mirikizumab: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Mirikizumab is a newer medication that helps treat certain autoimmune conditions by targeting specific proteins that cause inflammation in your body. It's a type of biologic drug, which means it's made from living cells and works by blocking a protein called interleukin-23 (IL-23) that plays a key role in triggering inflammation.

This medication is given through injections, either into a vein (intravenous) or under the skin (subcutaneous). Your doctor will determine which method works best for your specific condition and treatment plan.

What is Mirikizumab Used For?

Mirikizumab is primarily used to treat ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation in your large intestine and rectum. When you have ulcerative colitis, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in your colon, leading to painful symptoms like bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and urgent bowel movements.

This medication is typically prescribed for people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis who haven't responded well to other treatments. It's especially helpful for those who need a stronger approach to control their symptoms and heal the lining of their intestines.

Your doctor might also consider this medication if you've tried other treatments like corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or other biologic drugs without getting the relief you need.

How Does Mirikizumab Work?

Mirikizumab works by blocking a specific protein called interleukin-23 (IL-23) that your immune system uses to trigger inflammation. Think of IL-23 as a messenger that tells your immune cells to attack, even when there's no real threat to fight off.

By blocking this messenger, mirikizumab helps calm down your overactive immune system and reduces the inflammation in your intestines. This allows the damaged tissue to heal and helps prevent further damage from occurring.

This medication is considered a targeted therapy, which means it's designed to work on a very specific part of your immune system rather than suppressing your entire immune response. This targeted approach can be quite effective for managing autoimmune conditions like ulcerative colitis.

How Should I Take Mirikizumab?

Mirikizumab is given as an injection, and the method depends on your treatment phase and doctor's recommendation. During the initial treatment phase, you'll typically receive intravenous infusions at a healthcare facility, where the medication is delivered directly into your bloodstream through a vein.

After your initial doses, your doctor may switch you to subcutaneous injections, which you can learn to give yourself at home. These injections go into the fatty tissue just under your skin, usually in your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm.

Your healthcare team will teach you the proper injection technique if you'll be giving yourself subcutaneous doses. They'll show you how to prepare the medication, choose injection sites, and dispose of used needles safely.

The timing of your doses is important for the medication to work effectively. Your doctor will create a specific schedule based on your condition and response to treatment, so it's crucial to stick to this timeline as closely as possible.

How Long Should I Take Mirikizumab For?

The duration of mirikizumab treatment varies from person to person and depends on how well you respond to the medication and how your condition progresses. Many people with ulcerative colitis need long-term treatment to keep their symptoms under control and prevent flare-ups.

Your doctor will monitor your response to the medication through regular check-ups, blood tests, and assessments of your symptoms. If mirikizumab is helping you feel better and your intestinal inflammation is improving, you'll likely continue taking it for an extended period.

Some people may need to take this medication for years to maintain remission, while others might be able to reduce their dose or frequency over time. Your treatment plan will be adjusted based on your individual response and any side effects you experience.

Never stop taking mirikizumab suddenly without talking to your doctor first, as this could lead to a return of your symptoms or a flare-up of your condition.

What Are the Side Effects of Mirikizumab?

Like all medications, mirikizumab can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Most side effects are mild to moderate and tend to improve as your body adjusts to the medication.

Here are some common side effects you might experience while taking mirikizumab:

• Injection site reactions like redness, swelling, or tenderness
• Upper respiratory infections such as colds or sinus infections
• Headaches
• Joint pain or muscle aches
• Fatigue or feeling more tired than usual
• Nausea or stomach discomfort

These common side effects usually don't require stopping the medication, but you should discuss them with your healthcare provider if they become bothersome or persistent.

While less common, there are some more serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include signs of serious infections like fever, chills, persistent cough, or unusual fatigue, as mirikizumab can lower your immune system's ability to fight off infections.

Very rarely, some people may experience severe allergic reactions during or after receiving mirikizumab. Signs of a severe allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, swelling of your face or throat, severe rash, or dizziness.

Who Should Not Take Mirikizumab?

Mirikizumab isn't suitable for everyone, and your doctor will carefully review your medical history before prescribing it. You shouldn't take this medication if you have an active, serious infection that your body is currently fighting.

People with certain types of infections need special consideration before starting mirikizumab. If you have tuberculosis, hepatitis B or C, or other chronic infections, your doctor will need to treat these conditions first or monitor you very closely during treatment.

You should also avoid mirikizumab if you've had a severe allergic reaction to this medication or any of its ingredients in the past. Your doctor will review the complete list of ingredients with you if you have known allergies.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should discuss the risks and benefits with their healthcare provider, as there's limited information about how mirikizumab affects pregnancy and nursing.

If you have a weakened immune system from other conditions or medications, your doctor will need to weigh the benefits against the potential risks before prescribing mirikizumab.

Mirikizumab Brand Names

Mirikizumab is available under the brand name Omvoh in the United States. This is the commercial name you'll see on your prescription label and medication packaging.

The generic name mirikizumab-mrkz refers to the active ingredient, while Omvoh is the brand name used by the pharmaceutical company. Both names refer to the same medication, so don't be confused if you see different names on various documents.

When discussing this medication with your healthcare team or pharmacist, you can use either name, though using the brand name Omvoh might be more familiar to some healthcare providers.

Mirikizumab Alternatives

If mirikizumab isn't the right fit for you, there are several other treatment options available for ulcerative colitis. Your doctor might consider other biologic medications that work through different mechanisms to control inflammation.

Some alternative biologic treatments include adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), vedolizumab (Entyvio), and ustekinumab (Stelara). Each of these medications targets different parts of the immune system and may work better for some people than others.

Non-biologic alternatives include traditional immunosuppressants like azathioprine or methotrexate, as well as newer small molecule drugs like tofacitinib (Xeljanz). Your doctor might also consider combination therapies that use multiple medications together.

The choice of alternative treatment depends on your specific symptoms, medical history, previous treatment responses, and personal preferences. Your healthcare team will work with you to find the most appropriate option if mirikizumab isn't suitable.

Is Mirikizumab Better Than Adalimumab?

Both mirikizumab and adalimumab are effective biologic medications for treating ulcerative colitis, but they work through different mechanisms. Mirikizumab blocks IL-23, while adalimumab blocks TNF-alpha, both of which are proteins involved in inflammation.

Clinical studies suggest that mirikizumab may be effective for some people who haven't responded well to TNF-alpha blockers like adalimumab. This makes mirikizumab a valuable option for people who need a different approach to managing their condition.

The choice between these medications often depends on your individual response to previous treatments, your specific symptoms, and your medical history. Some people respond better to one type of biologic than another, and there's no way to predict which will work best for you without trying them.

Your doctor will consider factors like your disease severity, previous treatment history, and potential side effects when deciding between mirikizumab and adalimumab. Both medications require regular monitoring and have their own unique benefits and risks.