Bimzelx (bimekizumab-bkzx) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. As with other drugs, Bimzelx can cause side effects, such as fatigue, headache, and injection site reactions.

Bimzelx can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, 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 used Bimzelx in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

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

Mild side effects that have been reported with Bimzelx include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, 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. If you develop a side effect while taking Bimzelx and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

† An allergic reaction is possible after using Bimzelx. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

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

If you develop serious side effects while using Bimzelx, 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 that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* An allergic reaction is possible after using Bimzelx. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

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Learn more about some of the side effects that Bimzelx may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Bimzelx.

Injection site reactions

Bimzelx is given as a subcutaneous injection. Injection site reactions were a commonly reported side effect in clinical studies of Bimzelx. These reactions typically appear around the area where you give the injection. Symptoms can include:

  • warmth
  • swelling
  • skin discoloration
  • bruising
  • pain or tenderness

What you can do

Injection site reactions will typically go away on their own. There are some steps you can take to help relieve the symptoms if they bother you. Applying a cold compress may help reduce swelling and pain. Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). This can also help reduce pain and inflammation.

To help reduce discomfort while injecting Bimzelx, you can take the syringe out of the refrigerator 30–45 minutes before your injection. This allows the drug to warm up to room temperature. It’s important to keep the syringe in its original carton until injecting.

Talk with your doctor if you experience injection site reactions that get worse over time instead of better. Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any over-the-counter medications.

Fungal infections

Fungal infections of the mouth, skin, nails, or genitals were commonly reported in clinical studies of Bimzelx. Symptoms of a fungal infection can vary depending on where the infection is.

Symptoms of a fungal infection of the mouth can include:

  • white or yellow film on the tongue
  • pain or discomfort in your mouth
  • white spots in the back of your throat
  • sore throat

Symptoms of a fungal infection of the skin or nails can include:

  • skin discoloration
  • swollen area
  • scaly or flaky patches
  • discolored or thick nails

Symptoms of a fungal infection of the genitals can include:

  • intense itching
  • discharge

What you can do

If you notice any signs of a fungal infection, talk with your doctor. They can evaluate your symptoms and recommend a medication to best treat your specific type of infection.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Bimzelx can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

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

What you can do

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

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Bimzelx. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors: You may be at an increased risk for suicidal thoughts or behaviors while using Bimzelx. Having a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors may further increase your risk. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of any of these conditions. If you notice any new or worsening depression symptoms or suicidal thoughts, talk with your doctor right away. Your doctor will decide if it’s safe for you to continue using Bimzelx.

Infections: Tell your doctor if you currently have an infection. Because Bimzelx may also cause infections, your doctor will likely not prescribe the drug if you currently have an infection. They may want to make sure your infection is gone before you start treatment with Bimzelx. Also, be sure to tell your doctor about any long-term infections or infections that go away and come back often. They can determine if treatment with Bimzelx is a safe treatment option for you.

Liver problems: Bimzelx can cause an increase in liver enzymes, which may lead to liver damage. If you have active liver disease or cirrhosis, you may be at an increased risk for severe liver damage. For this reason, your doctor will likely not prescribe Bimzelx if you have active liver disease or cirrhosis. They can recommend other treatment options for you.

Tuberculosis: Your doctor will likely order a test to make sure you do not have tuberculosis (TB) before prescribing Bimzelx. This medication may cause active TB in someone who has existing TB. If you do have TB, it will need to be treated before starting therapy with Bimzelx. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of TB. In some cases, your doctor may need to prescribe treatment for TB before you start Bimzelx. They can tell you when it’s safe for you to start using Bimzelx.

History of inflammatory bowel disease: Bimzelx can also cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. If you have a history of these conditions and are experiencing symptoms, your doctor likely will not prescribe Bimzelx. They can recommend alternative treatment options for you.

Recent vaccinations: Talk with your doctor before receiving any vaccines while using Bimzelx. This is because certain live vaccines, such as FluMist, should not be given during treatment with Bimzelx. (Giving a live vaccine to someone receiving Bimzelx may cause the person to develop that virus or bacterial infection since live vaccines contain a small amount of the virus or bacterial infection.) Your doctor can tell you if the vaccine is safe for you or suggest other options. Your doctor will likely recommend that you are up to date with the appropriate vaccines before starting therapy with Bimzelx.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Bimzelx or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Bimzelx. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, it’s not known if Bimzelx is safe for you to take. Talk with your doctor before taking Bimzelx if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

If you become pregnant while taking Bimzelx, you and your doctor should consider reporting your pregnancy to the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) Autoimmune Diseases Study. This pregnancy registry helps gather information on how certain drugs can affect pregnancy. For more information, call 877-311-8972, visit the registry website, or talk with your doctor.

Alcohol consumption: There’s no known interaction between Bimzelx and alcohol. However, both Bimzelx and alcohol can cause liver damage. Drinking alcohol may increase this risk. If you have questions about how much alcohol is safe to drink during treatment with Bimzelx, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Like most medications, Bimzelx can cause side effects. Most are mild and tend to go away on their own within a few days to weeks. Serious side effects aren’t common. Talk with your doctor if you develop side effects that are bothersome or serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Bimzelx, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Bimzelx: For details about other aspects of Bimzelx, refer to this article.
  • Dosage: For information about the dosage of Bimzelx, view this article.
  • A look at psoriasis: For details about psoriasis, see our psoriasis hub.

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 another 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.