Skyrizi may not be appropriate for everyone. It is generally not recommended for patients with active serious infections, as it works by modulating immune function and could reduce your ability to fight infection. Your provider will review your history for any conditions that could increase that risk.

Patients with a history of certain immune conditions, active TB (untreated), or a known allergy to risankizumab or any of its ingredients should not use Skyrizi. It is also not currently approved for use in children or adolescents for psoriasis.

Skyrizi may not be covered or appropriate if you haven't yet tried other psoriasis treatments — many insurers require step therapy (trying topicals or other systemics first) before approving a biologic. Your Honeydew provider will assess your treatment history and help determine whether Skyrizi is the right next step, or whether a different biologic or treatment approach is a better fit

Yes. Because Skyrizi works by modulating the immune system, your provider will screen you for latent tuberculosis (TB) and certain infections before starting treatment. This is standard practice for all biologics and is not a reason to delay treatment, it's simply a safety step your Honeydew dermatologist manages as part of your onboarding.

If latent TB is detected, it can typically be treated before or alongside starting Skyrizi, depending on your provider's guidance. Your Honeydew care team will coordinate any required lab work, review your results, and confirm you're clear to begin treatment — all managed online.

Biologics are a class of prescription medications derived from living cells that target specific parts of the immune system — rather than suppressing the immune system broadly, the way older medications like methotrexate or cyclosporine do. For psoriasis, biologics like Skyrizi work by blocking specific proteins (in Skyrizi's case, IL-23) that trigger the immune response causing skin inflammation and plaque formation.

Your dermatologist may recommend a biologic like Skyrizi if topical treatments (creams, ointments) or oral medications haven't provided adequate control of your psoriasis, if your psoriasis is moderate to severe, or if it's significantly affecting your quality of life. Biologics are generally well-tolerated and have transformed outcomes for many patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Honeydew's board-certified dermatologists are experienced in prescribing and managing biologic therapy online, including all required monitoring and insurance coordination.

Risankizumab is the generic (scientific) name for Skyrizi. You may see "risankizumab-rzaa" on your insurance paperwork, prescription label, or medical records. It is the same medication. Skyrizi is the brand name used by AbbVie, the manufacturer.

Risankizumab is a monoclonal antibody that works by selectively blocking IL-23, a protein in the immune system that plays a central role in the inflammation that drives plaque psoriasis. There are currently no FDA-approved biosimilar (generic equivalent) versions of risankizumab available in the United States, so Skyrizi is the only form of this medication currently on the market.

Yes to both. While Skyrizi is most commonly discussed as a treatment for plaque psoriasis on the body, it is also effective for psoriasis affecting the scalp, nails, and other difficult-to-treat areas. Scalp psoriasis can be particularly persistent and resistant to topical treatments, and Skyrizi's systemic approach — blocking inflammation throughout the body — can provide meaningful clearance in these areas.

Skyrizi is also FDA-approved for active psoriatic arthritis in adults. If you experience both skin plaques and joint pain, swelling, or stiffness associated with psoriasis, Skyrizi may address both simultaneously. Your Honeydew dermatologist will review your full symptom profile before prescribing.

Skyrizi (risankizumab) and several other biologics are used to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, but they work differently and have different dosing schedules. Here's a brief comparison of the most commonly searched alternatives:

• Skyrizi vs. Tremfya (guselkumab): Both are IL-23 inhibitors that block the same inflammatory pathway. The key practical difference is dosing frequency — Skyrizi is given every 12 weeks after starter doses, while Tremfya is given every 8 weeks. Both have strong clinical clearance rates. Honeydew prescribes both, and your dermatologist can help you determine which is the better fit based on your history, insurance coverage, and dosing preference.
• Skyrizi vs. Humira (adalimumab): Humira is a TNF blocker, a different class of biologic. In head-to-head trials, Skyrizi showed higher skin clearance rates — approximately 72% of Skyrizi patients achieved 90% clearer skin at 16 weeks versus 47% for Humira. Skyrizi also requires fewer doses per year. Humira has biosimilars available which may affect insurance coverage and cost.
• Skyrizi vs. Cosentyx (secukinumab): Cosentyx is an IL-17 inhibitor, a different mechanism from Skyrizi's IL-23 blockade. Head-to-head studies showed Skyrizi to be similarly effective to Cosentyx at 16 weeks. Cosentyx may also treat psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Dosing is more frequent with Cosentyx (typically monthly after initial doses).

Your dermatologist will consider your full medical history, prior biologic experience, and insurance formulary when recommending the right biologic for you.

Most patients begin to see improvement within the first 4 weeks of treatment, with more significant skin clearance by week 16. In clinical trials, approximately 75–90% of patients achieved clear or nearly clear skin at 16 weeks. Results continue to improve with ongoing treatment, and many patients maintain clearer skin long term with consistent dosing.

The timeline varies depending on the severity of your psoriasis, your overall health, and whether you've been on other biologics previously. Your Honeydew provider will track your progress with regular check-ins and adjust your care plan if needed.

Skyrizi is given as a subcutaneous injection — a small shot administered just under the skin, typically in the stomach or thigh. It comes as a prefilled pen or syringe that most patients self-administer at home after a brief orientation.

The dosing schedule is straightforward: you receive two starter doses — one at week 0 and one at week 4 — followed by a single maintenance dose every 12 weeks (approximately once every three months). That means most patients take Skyrizi just 4–5 times per year after the initial doses.

Your Honeydew dermatologist will walk you through injection technique and confirm the process before your first dose. If you're uncomfortable self-injecting, your prescription can be arranged for administration at a local specialty pharmacy or infusion center.

Yes, Honeydew's board-certified dermatologists can prescribe and manage Skyrizi entirely online. Some sources suggest Skyrizi can only be prescribed in person, but that's outdated. Telehealth dermatology has expanded significantly, and Honeydew is specifically set up to manage biologic treatments like Skyrizi online, including the full prescription process, insurance coordination, prior authorization, monitoring, and refills.

You complete a medical questionnaire and share information about your skin and health history. If a video consult is needed, it can typically be scheduled within 48 hours. From there, your dermatologist reviews your case, confirms eligibility, and manages your ongoing care — all without office visits.

Yes, most insurance plans require prior authorization before covering Skyrizi. This means your dermatologist must submit documentation showing Skyrizi is medically necessary for your condition, and in many cases insurers require that you've tried other treatments first (a process called step therapy).

This is one of the most frustrating parts of starting a biologic — but it's something Honeydew handles entirely on your behalf. Your Honeydew provider prepares and submits prior authorization documentation, manages follow-ups with your insurer, and coordinates with the specialty pharmacy so your treatment isn't delayed by paperwork. If your authorization is denied, we guide you through the appeals process.

Getting a Skyrizi prescription online doesn't mean navigating insurance alone. Honeydew's care team manages the access process from start to finish.

Skyrizi's list price is approximately $23,000 per dose, which makes it sound out of reach but most patients pay significantly less, and many pay $0. Here's how it breaks down:

With commercial insurance, Skyrizi is typically covered as a specialty-tier biologic. Most commercially insured patients qualify for the Skyrizi Complete Savings Card, which can reduce your cost to $0 per dose. Honeydew helps you navigate insurance verification and prior authorization so coverage is confirmed before you start treatment.

Without insurance or with government coverage (Medicare, Medicaid), AbbVie's myAbbVie Assist patient assistance program may provide Skyrizi at no cost to qualifying patients based on income and eligibility. If your insurance approval is delayed, AbbVie's bridge program can provide the medication at no charge for up to two years while you work through the process.

Honeydew's membership fee (starting at $25/month on an annual plan) is separate from medication costs and is HSA/FSA eligible. We handle prior authorization, pharmacy coordination, and insurance navigation on your behalf so you're not managing the paperwork alone.

Skyrizi may be appropriate for people with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who haven’t achieved adequate control with topical or other treatments. Your provider will determine eligibility.

Skyrizi is given as a subcutaneous injection. After starter doses, it’s typically taken once every 12 weeks.

Skyrizi is usually used long term to maintain psoriasis control. Duration depends on response and provider guidance.

Common side effects include injection-site reactions and mild infections like colds. Your provider monitors safety throughout treatment.

No. Skyrizi does not require pregnancy testing or special enrollment programs. Your provider will review safe use based on your medical history.

If you or your child is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian should be part of the initial consultation. In circumstances where this is not possible, please contact info@honeydewcare.com and we will assist you with alternate ways to establish parental consent.

We will run the prescriptions through your insurance and help you find the lowest costs out there. The membership fee and any products are also eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement.

We offer comprehensive support for our patients, including access to experienced providers, assistance with lab orders and the iPledge program (when needed), unlimited support, and progress tracking.