Dosing Calculation:
According to package insert, the induction period was considered as the first 84 days with a total of 560 mg for IXE and the first 7 days for ADA 80 mg.18,19 For IXE, due to possible early refills or prescriptions consisting of multiple injections, the induction period was modified as either the first 84 days or when the cumulative strength multiplied by quantity ≥560 mg was achieved, whichever occurred first. For ADA, it was the first 7 days or when cumulative dose reached ≥80 mg, whichever came first. The maintenance period started with the first claim after the induction period.
IXE: Recommended induction dosing is 160 mg at week 0, then 80 mg every 2 weeks through week 12 (averaging to 6.1 mg/day). Recommended maintenance dosing is 80 mg every 4 weeks.
ADA: The expected weekly dosing including the induction dose is calculated for the first 4 weeks of treatment, which include the induction dose (80 mg at week 0) and first two maintenance doses ( 40 mg at week l, 40 mg, at week 3) due to most patients having 28 or more days' supply on their first claim. Recommended maintenance period dosing is 40 mg every other week (80 mg total every 4 weeks)
Abbreviations: IXE, ixekizumab; AD, adalimumab.
