What is plaque psoriasis?

Plaque Psoriasis Facts

Plaque psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis, is a chronic autoimmune disease. While its exact cause is unknown, overactivity from your immune system drives the inflammation that can lead to the plaques, pain, redness, flaking, and itching on your skin.

Longing for short sleeves again?

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BIMZELX^® is right for you.

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Severity of plaque psoriasis

Moderate

Is defined as affecting 3%—10% of the skin's surface.

Severe

Is defined as affecting more than 10% of the skin's surface.

Moderate

Is defined as affecting 3%—10% of the skin's surface.

Severe

Is defined as affecting more than 10% of the skin's surface.

How to measure

Use your hand. For most people, your hand equals approximately 1% of your skin’s surface area.

Most common areas of the body for plaque psoriasis symptoms:

Scalp
Elbows
Torso
Belly button
Soles of feet

Palms
Knees
Nails
Ear canals
Buttocks

Track your plaques

Take pictures of your flare-ups, and note anything you can think of that may have triggered them.

Keep a visual record. How your skin may change over time can help guide a conversation with your dermatologist.

Causes & triggers

Inflammation and plaques are driven by several factors, including the environment and genetics. Understanding what can cause your flare-ups to appear, and what makes them worse, can help you gain better control.

Here are a few of the more common triggers:

Stress

Everyday stress can cause a flare-up, then stress about the flare-up can make it worse. Some examples include:

Socializing/dating
Work and family life
Situations where your skin will be exposed, like the beach or pool and hair or nail salons
Special events like weddings, birthdays, or holiday parties

Weather

Cold weather brings people inside more, where dry, indoor air and a lack of exposure to natural sunlight can lead to flare-ups.

Infections

An infection will activate a response from your immune system, and that can trigger psoriasis.

Skin Injuries

Cuts or abrasions and bug bites on your skin are common examples of how a skin injury can trigger a flare-up.

Psoriasis facts vs myths

See how clear your understanding of plaque psoriasis is by taking a crack at the questions below.

Fact or Myth #1

Dietary choices may help you manage your plaque psoriasis symptoms.

Nailed it! Great start.

Although evidence is limited, keeping an eye on your calorie intake and adding more green leafy vegetables, beans, fruits, nuts, olive oil, and fish to your diet are good steps to take if you have plaque psoriasis. Be sure to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Oops, this is a fact

Fact or Myth #2

Plaque psoriasis isn't linked to other medical conditions.

You got it. Nice job!

Studies have shown that people with psoriasis are at a greater risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as vision problems and heart disease. Be sure to talk to your doctor about these potential health risks.

You'll get the next one.

Fact or Myth #3

Stress is a common trigger for a plaque psoriasis flare‑up.

You must be an expert.

Daily life stress can lead to a flare-up. And stress about the flare-up can make things worse. Look for ways to reduce the amount of everyday stress in your life as best you can.

Wrong guess. But don't stress!

Daily life stress can lead to a flare-up. And stress about the flare-up can make things worse. Look for ways to reduce the amount of everyday stress in your life as best you can.

Fact or Myth #4

Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis is defined as covering 20%-25% of a person's skin.

Great work, keep it up.

Moderate plaque psoriasis covers 3%-10% of the skin's surface, while severe cases affect more than 10%. If you fall into either of these categories, ask your dermatologist if BIMZELX could help get you on the road to clearer skin.

This was a tricky one.

Fact or Myth #5

There's not much you can do if your biologic treatment stops working.

Ending on a high note!

Biologic psoriasis treatments work differently. If you feel your treatment has stopped working, talk to your doctor about other treatment options.

There's more you can do!

Biologic psoriasis treatments work differently. If you feel your treatment has stopped working, talk to your doctor about other treatment options.

Did you catch all the facts?
Did you miss any myths?

Whether you're an expert or have more to learn, answering a few questions about how your plaque psoriasis affects you can help you start a conversation with your dermatologist about your treatment options.

Ready to get started?

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*Eligible, commercially insured patients may pay as little as $5 per dose of BIMZELX^®. Please see full eligibility requirements and terms at BIMZELX.com.

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If eligible, pay as little as $5 per dose.*
Tailored nurse support and helpful online resources to keep your treatment moving forward.^†

*Eligible, commercially insured patients may pay as little as $5 per dose of BIMZELX^®. Please see full eligibility requirements and terms at BIMZELX.com.

^†Nurse Navigators do not provide medical advice and will refer you to your healthcare professional for any treatment-related questions.

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^†Nurse Navigators do not provide medical advice and will refer you to your healthcare professional for any treatment-related questions.

*Eligible, commercially insured patients may pay as little as $5 per dose of BIMZELX^®. Please see full eligibility requirements and terms at BIMZELX.com.

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If eligible, pay as little as $5 per dose.*

Access your personalized support

Tailored nurse support and helpful online resources to keep your treatment moving forward.^†

*Eligible, commercially insured patients may pay as little as $5 per dose of BIMZELX^®. Please see full eligibility requirements and terms at BIMZELX.com.

^†Nurse Navigators do not provide medical advice and will refer you to your healthcare professional for any treatment-related questions.

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Get the latest on BIMZELX

BIMZELX Savings: Eligible, commercially insured patients may pay as little as $5 per dose. Available to individuals 18 years of age or older with commercial insurance coverage with a valid prescription consistent with FDA-approved product labeling for BIMZELX® (bimekizumab-bkzx). Not valid (1) for prescriptions that are reimbursed, in whole or in part, under Medicare (including Medicare Part D), Medicaid, or any other federal- or state-funded healthcare programs (including any state prescription drug assistance programs and the Government Health Insurance Plan available in Puerto Rico), (2) where a patient’s commercial insurance plan reimburses for the entire cost of the drug, (3) for uninsured or cash-paying patients, or (4) where otherwise prohibited by law. Product shall be dispensed pursuant to program rules and federal and state laws. The value of the program is exclusively for the benefit of patients and is intended to be credited in full toward patient out-of-pocket obligations and maximums, including applicable co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Patient may not seek reimbursement for the value of this program from other parties, including third-party payers (i.e., any health insurance program or plan, or public payers like Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, TRICARE, VA, and DoD). Patient is responsible for complying with any applicable limitations and requirements of their health plan related to the use of the program. This program cannot be combined with any other savings, free trial, or similar offer for the specified prescription. UCB reserves the right to amend or end this program at any time without notice.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

BIMZELX is a medicine that affects your immune system and may increase your risk of serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and behavior, serious infections including tuberculosis, liver problems, and inflammatory bowel disease.

BIMZELX^® is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills (phototherapy).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab-bkzx)?

BIMZELX is a medicine that affects your immune system. BIMZELX may increase your risk of having serious side effects, including:

Suicidal thoughts and behavior have happened in some people treated with BIMZELX. Get medical help right away or call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 if you, your caregiver or your family member notice in you any of the following symptoms:
- new or worsening depression or anxiety
- thoughts of suicide, dying, or hurting yourself
- changes in behavior or mood
- acting on dangerous impulses
- attempt to commit suicide
Infections. BIMZELX is a medicine that may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections.
- Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with BIMZELX.
- If your healthcare provider feels you are at risk for TB, you may be treated with medicine for TB before you begin treatment with BIMZELX and during your treatment.
- Your doctor should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with BIMZELX. Do not take BIMZELX if you have an active TB infection.

Before starting BIMZELX, tell your healthcare provider if you:

are being treated for an infection
have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back
have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB
think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as:
- fever, sweats, or chills
- muscle aches
- cough
- shortness of breath
- blood in your phlegm
- weight loss
- warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body different from your psoriasis
- diarrhea or stomach pain
- burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal

After starting BIMZELX, call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the signs of infection listed above. Do not use BIMZELX if you have any signs of infection unless you are instructed to by your healthcare provider. See “What are the possible side effects of BIMZELX?” for more information about side effects.

What is BIMZELX?

BIMZELX is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills (phototherapy).

It is not known if BIMZELX is safe and effective in children.

Before using BIMZELX, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have any of the conditions or symptoms listed in the section “What is the most important information I should know about BIMZELX?”
have a history of depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior
have liver problems
have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). You should avoid receiving live vaccines during treatment with BIMZELX.
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIMZELX can harm your unborn baby.
- If you become pregnant while taking BIMZELX, you are encouraged to enroll in the Pregnancy Registry, which is used to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider or call 1-877-311-8972 to enroll in this registry or visit http://mothertobaby.org/pregnancy-studies/.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if BIMZELX passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with BIMZELX.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of BIMZELX?

BIMZELX may cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about BIMZELX?”

Elevated liver enzyme levels. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver enzyme levels before starting treatment and during treatment with BIMZELX. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or permanently stop your treatment with BIMZELX if you develop liver problems. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of liver problems, including:
- pain on the right side of your stomach-area
- feeling very tired
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- itching
- dark urine
- light-colored stool
- yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
Inflammatory bowel disease. New cases of inflammatory bowel disease or “flare-ups” have happened with BIMZELX. If you have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), tell your healthcare provider if you have worsening disease symptoms during treatment with BIMZELX or develop new or worsening signs of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

The most common side effects of BIMZELX include:

upper respiratory tract infections
headache
Herpes Simplex infections (cold sores in or around the mouth)
small red bumps on your skin
feeling tired
fungal infections (oral thrush or infections in the mouth, throat, skin, nails, feet, or genitals)
pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
stomach flu (gastroenteritis)
acne

These are not all of the possible side effects of BIMZELX. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Use BIMZELX exactly as your doctor tells you to use it.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-10881-800-FDA-1088.