When You Can't Get Bimzelx, What Are Your Options?

If you've been prescribed Bimzelx (Bimekizumab-bkzx) but can't fill your prescription — whether because of insurance delays, specialty pharmacy issues, or cost — you're probably wondering what else is out there. The good news is that several effective alternatives exist for the conditions Bimzelx treats.

This guide walks you through what Bimzelx is, how it works, and the best alternative medications to discuss with your doctor.

What Is Bimzelx?

Bimzelx is a biologic medication made by UCB, Inc. It's a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the immune system to reduce inflammation. It's FDA-approved for:

• Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults
• Active psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
• Active ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
• Active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA)
• Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)

It's given as a subcutaneous injection, either with a prefilled syringe or autoinjector. For full details on the medication, see our post on what Bimzelx is, its uses, and dosage.

How Does Bimzelx Work?

What makes Bimzelx unique is that it blocks both IL-17A and IL-17F — two inflammatory proteins (cytokines) that play a major role in autoimmune skin and joint conditions. Most other IL-17 inhibitors only block IL-17A. By targeting both, Bimzelx provides a more complete suppression of the IL-17 pathway.

In clinical trials, Bimzelx showed superior skin clearance rates compared to Adalimumab (Humira), Secukinumab (Cosentyx), and Ustekinumab (Stelara) for plaque psoriasis. You can learn more in our post on how Bimzelx works.

Real Alternatives to Bimzelx

If you can't access Bimzelx right now, these are the most commonly prescribed alternatives. All of them are FDA-approved biologics used for similar conditions. Talk to your doctor about which one is the best fit for you.

1. Cosentyx (Secukinumab)

Drug class: IL-17A inhibitor

Approved for: Plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, nr-axSpA, hidradenitis suppurativa

How it's given: Subcutaneous injection (prefilled syringe or autoinjector)

Cosentyx is one of the closest alternatives to Bimzelx. It blocks IL-17A (but not IL-17F) and has been on the market since 2015. It has a strong track record for psoriasis and joint conditions. While Bimzelx showed slightly better skin clearance in head-to-head trials, Cosentyx remains highly effective and may be easier to access through insurance.

2. Taltz (Ixekizumab)

Drug class: IL-17A inhibitor

Approved for: Plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, nr-axSpA

How it's given: Subcutaneous injection (prefilled syringe or autoinjector)

Taltz is another IL-17A inhibitor with strong efficacy for psoriasis and spondyloarthritis. Like Cosentyx, it only targets IL-17A, but it has shown excellent skin clearance rates in clinical trials. It's manufactured by Eli Lilly and may be covered more easily by some insurance plans.

3. Humira (Adalimumab) and Biosimilars

Drug class: TNF inhibitor

Approved for: Plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and many other conditions

How it's given: Subcutaneous injection

Humira has been a workhorse biologic for over two decades. It works differently from Bimzelx — it blocks tumor necrosis factor (TNF) rather than IL-17. While it may not provide the same level of skin clearance as Bimzelx for psoriasis, it's effective for a wide range of conditions and now has multiple biosimilars available (like Hadlima, Hyrimoz, and Cyltezo), making it much more affordable. Cash prices for Humira biosimilars can be significantly lower than the original.

4. Stelara (Ustekinumab)

Drug class: IL-12/23 inhibitor

Approved for: Plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis

How it's given: Subcutaneous injection

Stelara targets IL-12 and IL-23 — different inflammatory pathways from Bimzelx. It's dosed less frequently (every 12 weeks for psoriasis after initial loading), which some patients prefer. In head-to-head trials, Bimzelx outperformed Stelara for psoriasis skin clearance, but Stelara is a well-established and effective option, especially for patients who also have inflammatory bowel disease.

How to Choose the Right Alternative

The best alternative depends on your specific condition, treatment history, insurance coverage, and preferences. Here are some things to consider:

• If you need something close to Bimzelx: Cosentyx or Taltz are the most similar since they also target the IL-17 pathway
• If cost is the main barrier: Humira biosimilars offer the most affordable option
• If you want less frequent dosing: Stelara is dosed every 12 weeks after loading
• If you have hidradenitis suppurativa: Cosentyx and Humira are both approved for HS
• If you have inflammatory bowel disease: Avoid IL-17 inhibitors (Bimzelx, Cosentyx, Taltz) and consider Stelara or Humira instead

Don't Give Up on Bimzelx Entirely

If Bimzelx is what your doctor truly recommends, the access barriers may be temporary. While you explore alternatives, keep working on getting Bimzelx approved:

• Use Medfinder to check availability
• Enroll in UCB's MyNavigate program for insurance support and potential copay as low as $5 per dose
• Ask your doctor to appeal any insurance denials

Read more about how to find Bimzelx in stock near you and how to save money on Bimzelx.

Final Thoughts

Not being able to fill a prescription is frustrating, especially when you're dealing with a chronic condition. But you have options. Cosentyx, Taltz, Humira, and Stelara are all proven biologics that can help manage your symptoms while you work toward getting Bimzelx if that's the ultimate goal.

Always discuss any medication changes with your doctor. They can help you weigh the benefits and risks of each alternative based on your unique situation.