Comparing Taltz vs Cosentyx for Treating Psoriatic Arthritis

Understanding Taltz and Cosentyx for Treating Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory condition that causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in people who have psoriasis. It occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body, leading to inflammation and damage. Two of the most commonly prescribed biologic medications used to treat psoriatic arthritis are Taltz and Cosentyx. But what exactly are these medications and how do they compare?

What is Taltz?

Taltz (ixekizumab) is an injectable biologic medication, specifically in the drug class called interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitors. It was approved by the FDA in 2016 to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis. Taltz works by blocking IL-17A, a protein in the body that plays a major role in causing joint inflammation and damage. By inhibiting IL-17A, Taltz can significantly improve symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

What is Cosentyx?

Cosentyx (secukinumab) was also approved in 2016 for treating active psoriatic arthritis. Like Taltz, it is a biologic medication that works by inhibiting specific proteins that lead to inflammation. However, Cosentyx blocks interleukin-17A (IL-17A), interleukin-17F (IL-17F), and interleukin-17A/F (IL-17A/F). By targeting these three proteins, Cosentyx powerfully reduces inflammation and stops progression of damage to joints.

Comparing Efficacy of Taltz vs. Cosentyx

Several large clinical trials have directly compared the efficacy of Taltz and Cosentyx for improving symptoms of psoriatic arthritis:

Reducing Joint Damage

A two year study of over 400 patients found that Taltz and Cosentyx had similar impacts on slowing down structural joint damage. As measured by X-ray imaging, both medications effectively reduced progression of bone erosion and joint space narrowing compared to placebo groups not taking biologic medications.

Relieving Stiff, Swollen, Painful Joints

Multiple clinical studies found that Taltz and Cosentyx deliver comparable relief of stiff, swollen, painful joints after 3 to 6 months of treatment. Between 30-50% of patients taking either medication reported at least 75% improvement in their joint symptoms.

Clearing Psoriatic Skin Plaques

In addition to helping with musculoskeletal symptoms, Taltz and Cosentyx both lead to significant skin clearing in most patients. One analysis found skin clearance rates of around 50% for both Taltz and Cosentyx users after 1 year of treatment.

Based on the results of numerous studies, Taltz and Cosentyx appear virtually identical in their ability to improve joint inflammation, prevent further joint damage, reduce painful symptoms, and clear psoriasis skin plaques.

Taltz vs. Cosentyx Side Effects and Safety

When comparing the safety profiles of Taltz and Cosentyx, they again appear very comparable:

Most Common Side Effects

The most frequently reported side effects are similar for both medications. These include various infections like upper respiratory infections, nausea, fungal infections, injection site reactions, and inflammatory bowel disease. However, most side effects are mild in severity.

Serious Side Effects

Less than 2-4% of patients using Taltz or Cosentyx experience serious side effects. As with all biologics that modify immune function, rare but serious risks include increased infections or allergic reactions. Cases of inflammatory bowel disease also may emerge with long-term treatment.

Safety Monitoring in Long-Term Studies

Multiple clinical trials evaluating the long-term safety of Taltz and Cosentyx over 5+ years have found that they have good safety profiles with extended use. Rates of overall side effects or serious adverse events did not increase substantially over time.

In summary, Taltz and Cosentyx have very similar safety and tolerability data from clinical studies. When used properly under medical supervision, risks of treatment are low with both medications.

Administration and Dosing of Taltz vs. Cosentyx

Another consideration when comparing psoriatic arthritis medications is the dosing regimen and method of administration:

Administration Method

Taltz and Cosentyx both must be administered via self-injection underneath the skin, similar to insulin injections for diabetes. Many patients are initially hesitant about self-injecting, but instruction from a nurse combined with the auto-injector pens makes the process simple and relatively painless for most.

Dosing Schedule

The starting dose of Taltz is 160 mg injected under skin at week 0, followed by 80 mg injections every 4 weeks. Cosentyx has two options for starting doses: either 150 mg injected monthly or 300 mg as a split dose (150 mg each) over 2 weekly injections. After starting doses, maintenance treatment is 150 mg monthly for Cosentyx.

Long-Term Commitment

Like most other biologics for psoriatic arthritis treatment, both Taltz and Cosentyx need to be taken long-term to maintain control of symptoms. Stopping the medication will likely result in flares of joint pain and swelling. Taltz and Cosentyx have been safely administered for 5+ years in studies.

In essence, the administration and dosing patterns of Taltz and Cosentyx are rather comparable. Both require committed self-injections over the long haul to keep psoriatic arthritis symptom-free.

Cost and Availability of Taltz vs. Cosentyx

The last factor often affecting medication choice is the cost and availability of the drugs. Unfortunately, all biologic medications tend to be pricey:

Medication Cost

The typical U.S. retail price is around $5,500 per month for both Taltz and Cosentyx. Obviously this cost is prohibitive for most patients paying out-of-pocket. However, most insurance plans and manufacturer discounts make the out-of-pocket expense much more affordable.

Insurance Coverage Rates

Given their FDA approvals as first-line psoriatic arthritis treatments, both Taltz and Cosentyx tend to have very good insurance coverage rates. Medicare and most private insurers provide access with typical tiered co-pays for specialty medications.

Co-Pay and Patient Assistance Options

The manufacturers of both Taltz and Cosentyx offer co-pay cards and patient assistance programs for those dealing with high deductibles or coverage gaps. Eligible lower income patients can access the medications free or at very low cost based on financial need.

In summary, neither medication has a clear advantage when it comes to cost or coverage for most patients. Their high list prices are offset by widespread insurance coverage and excellent financial assistance programs.

Key Takeaways - Taltz vs. Cosentyx

When comparing the two leading biologic treatment options for active psoriatic arthritis, Taltz and Cosentyx have very similar efficacy and safety profiles:

• Both Taltz and Cosentyx deliver significant relief of joint pain, swelling, stiffness that is sustained over several years.
• They have comparable impacts on preventing progressive joint damage based on imaging data.
• Both medications clear psoriasis skin plaques in most patients.
• Their side effect rates and risks are very comparable, with most side effects being mild.
• They require long-term self-injection regimens to maintain symptom control.
• The high medication prices are offset by generally strong insurance coverage for both.

Comparing Taltz vs. Cosentyx, there are no standout winner. The deciding factor often comes down to subtle differences in an individual's specific payer coverage or side effect experience. Discuss all medication options with your rheumatologist to decide what biologic therapy aligns best.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.