How will I feel after my Skyrizi infusion?

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

In clinical trials for Crohn's disease, common side effects included fatigue, headache, and upper respiratory infections. After your Skyrizi infusion, your experience can vary, but these are some of the most frequently reported feelings.

Quick Summary

The immediate experience following a Skyrizi infusion involves a monitoring period for safety, while potential short-term side effects may include fatigue, headaches, and increased susceptibility to upper respiratory infections. Symptom improvement may not be immediate, with many patients noting effects weeks or months after starting treatment. Understanding the potential side effects and how to manage them is key for patients.

Key Points

Immediate Monitoring is Standard: Expect to be monitored by a healthcare provider for a period after the infusion to check for any immediate reactions.
Common Side Effects are Mild: Fatigue, headaches, and upper respiratory infections are the most frequently reported side effects and are typically mild.
Fatigue is a Known Side Effect: It is common to feel more tired than usual after a Skyrizi infusion, and planning for rest can help manage this.
Therapeutic Effects Take Time: Do not expect immediate relief from your condition, as it takes weeks or months for Skyrizi's full effects to become apparent.
Be Vigilant for Serious Side Effects: While rare, severe allergic reactions or infections require immediate medical attention. Be aware of the symptoms and contact your doctor if concerned.
Staying Hydrated and Resting Helps: Simple self-care measures like drinking plenty of water and getting rest can help alleviate common side effects like headaches and fatigue.
Communicate with Your Healthcare Team: Discuss any side effects with your doctor, especially if they are bothersome or persistent, so they can offer management strategies or consider other options.

Immediate post-infusion experience

Immediately following your Skyrizi (risankizumab) infusion, you will be monitored by a healthcare professional for a period of time, typically to ensure there are no immediate allergic reactions or other adverse events. Most people can return to their daily activities after this observation period, though your personal experience may vary. Some patients may feel fine right away, while others report a feeling of generalized fatigue or a headache that may begin shortly after the infusion. It is important to listen to your body and have a plan for rest following the appointment, especially after your first dose.

Common side effects to anticipate

Several mild to moderate side effects have been reported in clinical trials, with many being temporary. The most common issues you might experience include:

Fatigue: Many patients, especially during the initial loading dose period, report feeling a lack of energy or feeling more tired than usual. This fatigue can be mild to moderate and may last for a day or two after the infusion.
Headache: Mild to moderate headaches are a frequently reported side effect. These can sometimes be managed with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter pain relievers if your doctor approves.
Upper respiratory infections: Skyrizi works by reducing inflammation by targeting a protein in your immune system, which can slightly increase your risk of infections. Common colds, sore throats, or sinus infections are possible.
Injection site reactions (for maintenance phase): During the initial infusion phase, this is not a concern, but once you transition to the on-body injector for maintenance, injection site reactions like pain, redness, or swelling may occur.

Timeline for feeling a therapeutic effect

It is important to manage your expectations regarding symptom relief immediately after an infusion. Skyrizi is not an instant-acting medication, and its therapeutic effects build over time as it reduces inflammation in your body..

Crohn's Disease: Patients in clinical trials for Crohn's disease started to show a clinical response as early as four weeks after the first infusion, with further improvement seen at the 12-week mark.
Psoriatic Arthritis: For psoriatic arthritis, initial improvements were seen around four weeks, with more significant symptom reduction observed at 24 weeks.
Plaque Psoriasis: Some patients with psoriasis noted improvements within four weeks, with a large majority of patients seeing significant skin clearance after 16 weeks.

This timeline means that you may experience initial side effects like fatigue before you start to feel the positive effects of the medication on your underlying condition. Patience and consistent communication with your healthcare team are key during this induction phase.

Managing common post-infusion side effects

While many side effects are manageable, adopting certain strategies can help improve your comfort after a Skyrizi infusion. Here are some tips:

Rest: Plan for a low-key day after your appointment, especially if fatigue is a known side effect for you. Get plenty of sleep the night after your infusion.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help with headaches and general malaise.
Healthy Diet: A balanced diet can help support your energy levels and overall immune system function.
Gentle Exercise: If you feel up to it, a short, moderate walk can help combat fatigue.
Over-the-counter medication: If you experience a headache, discuss with your doctor whether over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen are appropriate for you.

Common vs. Serious Skyrizi Side Effects

It is crucial to be able to distinguish between common, manageable side effects and more serious reactions that require immediate medical attention.


Feature	Common Side Effects	Serious Side Effects
Typical Symptoms	Fatigue, headache, mild upper respiratory infection (cold)	Severe allergic reactions (hives, swelling), serious infections (fever, persistent cough), liver problems (jaundice, abdominal pain)
Severity	Generally mild to moderate	Potentially life-threatening
Onset	Can occur within hours to days after infusion	Can be immediate (allergic reaction) or develop over time (serious infection)
Action Required	Monitor and manage symptoms. Contact your doctor if they are persistent or bothersome.	Seek emergency medical help immediately.
Immune System Impact	Reflects the initial immune modulation	Indicates a severe, potentially dangerous reaction to the immune system suppression

Conclusion

While the prospect of an infusion can be intimidating, understanding what to expect can help ease anxiety. After your Skyrizi infusion, you will likely experience a period of mild and manageable side effects, most notably fatigue and headaches, as your body begins to respond to the medication. However, in rare instances, more serious side effects can occur, so being vigilant and informed is essential. A close partnership with your healthcare provider, along with a proactive approach to managing your health post-infusion, can help ensure your treatment is as comfortable and effective as possible. Always communicate any and all side effects or concerns with your medical team. For more information, you can consult the official Skyrizi website for patient resources and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fatigue after a Skyrizi infusion is typically mild and temporary, lasting from a day or two to a few weeks, but should improve over time as your body adjusts.

Yes, headaches are a commonly reported side effect after a Skyrizi infusion. They are usually mild to moderate and can be managed with rest and hydration, as well as over-the-counter pain relievers if approved by your doctor.

You should call your doctor if you have symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, persistent cough, shortness of breath, or painful urination. Skyrizi can increase your risk of infections, so it is important to be vigilant.

It is generally recommended to have someone else drive you home after your first infusion, in case you experience fatigue or other side effects. Your infusion provider will monitor you before you leave to ensure it's safe to travel.

Skyrizi is not instant-acting. Therapeutic effects begin to appear gradually, with clinical response noted within 4 to 12 weeks depending on the condition being treated.

Injection site reactions like redness, swelling, or pain are common during the maintenance injection phase. They typically resolve within a couple of days. A cold compress can help, but if the reaction persists or worsens, contact your doctor.

In rare cases, liver problems have been reported in patients receiving Skyrizi for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Your doctor will perform liver blood tests before and during treatment. You should report symptoms like unexplained rash, nausea, or yellowing of the skin to your doctor immediately.

Yes, your experience may change. The initial induction period involves intravenous infusions, after which many patients transition to at-home subcutaneous injections. Side effects may shift or lessen during this maintenance phase. For some, the induction phase is associated with more fatigue, headaches, and brain fog than the later, less-frequent injections.

No, you should not receive any live vaccines (such as the MMR or chickenpox vaccine) while undergoing treatment with Skyrizi. Your doctor will ensure all appropriate vaccinations are up to date before starting therapy.