Medicines
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Otezla
Apremilast is an oral small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), specifically PDE4A, PDE4B, PDE4C, and PDE4D subtypes. It works intracellularly to modulate the inflammatory response by increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. This, in turn, downregulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-17, IL-23, and IFN-γ while upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10. Apremilast is primarily used to treat inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
For the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers associated with Behçet's disease.
Patients treated with apremilast have reported depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior. Monitor patients for these symptoms and discontinue apremilast in patients who experience them.
Outcome:
Decreased apremilast levels
Mechanism:
Induction of CYP3A4 enzymes
Outcome:
Increased apremilast levels
Mechanism:
Inhibition of CYP3A4 enzymes
Outcome:
No clinically significant interaction expected
Mechanism:
Different metabolic pathways
Most likely new formulation: Topical cream for localized psoriasis (2026, 60% confidence)
Based on current usage trends and emerging clinical data, there is a 70% likelihood of apremilast expanding its indications to include other inflammatory diseases within the next 5 years.
Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) Inhibitor
Phthalimide derivative