Injection Site Reactions in the Federal Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Post-Marketing Database Vary Among Biologics Approved to Treat Moderate-To-Severe Psoriasis

Abstract

Introduction

Biologics used to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis may cause injection site reactions (ISRs) characterized by erythema, edema, itch, and sometimes pain. The Federal Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) is a repository of spontaneous post-marketing reports of adverse events (AEs) that are reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Our objective was to perform a pharmacovigilance analysis of FAERS reports of ISRs associated with the use of subcutaneously administered biologic products approved to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Methods

The products included in our assessment were adalimumab, etanercept, ixekizumab, secukinumab, and ustekinumab. Reports from the date of US approval for each biologic as treatment for plaque psoriasis through 2 years were included using the search term “injection site.”

Results

The results show that the FAERS database contained reports of ISRs for all of the included biologics during the 2 years following FDA approval. The most common reports on ISRs were on pain, irritation, and erythema for adalimumab; reaction, pain, and erythema for etanercept; erythema, pain, and reaction for ixekizumab; bruising, pain, hemorrhage for secukinumab; and pain, induration, and swelling for ustekinumab. FAERS does not include data on total patient exposure; therefore, ISR rates could not be calculated.

Conclusions

Specific ISRs varied among the biologic therapies assessed. The findings presented could be helpful when patients consider switching therapies due to ISRs.

Funding

Eli Lilly and Company.