Skyrizi (risankizumab) is designed to be stored in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C), and the FDA-approved labeling provides specific windows for how long it can sit out depending on which form you use. The prefilled pen should be left out for 30 to 90 minutes before injection, the prefilled syringe for 15 to 30 minutes, and the on-body injector for 45 to 90 minutes. These are warm-up windows, not open-ended storage permissions.
Warm-Up Times by Device Type
Skyrizi comes in several forms, and each has a slightly different timeline for reaching room temperature before use. The key rule across all of them: leave the medication in its original carton while it warms up, and keep it out of direct sunlight.
- Prefilled pen: 30 to 90 minutes at room temperature
- Prefilled syringe: 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature
- On-body injector with prefilled cartridge: 45 to 90 minutes at room temperature
These times exist because injecting cold medication is uncomfortable. Letting it warm up makes the injection feel significantly better. The difference in timing reflects the volume of liquid in each device: the on-body injector holds more, so it takes longer to reach room temperature.
The 8-Hour Rule for IV Infusions
If you receive Skyrizi as an intravenous infusion (the form used for Crohn’s disease induction dosing), the diluted solution has a firmer limit. Once prepared or removed from refrigeration, the diluted IV solution can be stored at room temperature for up to 8 hours. The temperature must stay at or below 77°F (25°C), and the solution needs to be protected from sunlight. After 8 hours, any unused solution should be discarded.
What Counts as “Room Temperature”
The FDA labeling defines room temperature for Skyrizi as up to 77°F (25°C). This matters if your home runs warm, especially in summer. If your living space regularly exceeds that threshold, you’re outside the tested stability range. A climate-controlled room is ideal for the warm-up period.
What to Avoid While Skyrizi Is Out
Three things can damage Skyrizi beyond temperature alone. First, do not freeze it. If it has been frozen, do not use it. Second, do not shake the pen, syringe, or cartridge. Biologics like Skyrizi are proteins, and shaking can break down their structure. Third, keep it protected from light. The original carton is designed for this purpose, so don’t remove the pen or syringe from the box until you’re actually ready to inject.
If You Left It Out Too Long
The prescribing information does not specify an extended room temperature storage window for the subcutaneous forms (the pens and syringes you use at home). The labeling only provides the warm-up windows listed above, not a maximum number of hours or days the medication remains stable outside the fridge. This means there is no official safety data supporting leaving your prefilled pen or syringe out for hours at a time.
If your Skyrizi sat out longer than the recommended warm-up period, or if it was exposed to temperatures above 77°F or direct sunlight, the safest step is to contact AbbVie’s support line or your pharmacist. Skyrizi is a biologic medication, and protein-based drugs are more sensitive to temperature shifts than traditional pills. You generally cannot tell by looking at the liquid whether it has degraded, so erring on the side of caution protects you from injecting a dose that may not work as intended.
Traveling With Skyrizi
For travel, keep Skyrizi in an insulated cooler bag with ice packs, making sure the medication doesn’t come into direct contact with the ice (freezing will ruin it). Plan your warm-up time around your injection schedule so you’re not leaving the medication at room temperature longer than necessary. If you’re flying, carry it in your hand luggage rather than checked bags, where cargo holds can drop below freezing.