Apremilast in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis: Differential Use in Psoriasis
Author Type(s)
Resident/Fellow
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2022
DOI
10.2147/CCID.S266036
Journal Title
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
Department
Dermatology
Abstract
Small molecule medications like apremilast are emerging as promising options for patients with psoriasis and other inflammatory conditions. Apremilast was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2014 for the management of both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Apremilast inhibits phosphodiesterase-4, which increases the intracellular levels of cyclic AMP, thereby reducing inflammatory cytokine production. This review aims to discuss the published evidence and evaluate the differential use of apremilast in plaque psoriasis of the body and scalp, nail psoriasis, and palmoplantar psoriasis. In clinical trials, apremilast effectively reduced the severity of different dermatological manifestations of psoriasis and improved patients' quality of life. It has an acceptable safety profile and is generally well-tolerated. Oral medications like apremilast offer an alternative route of administration which can be more convenient and appropriate for some patients. Additionally, pharmacoeconomic analyses of available anti-psoriatic systemic agents favor apremilast as a cost-effective therapeutic option.
Recommended Citation
Gao, J., Wu, A., Contento, M., Maher, J., & Cline, A. (2022). Apremilast in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis: Differential Use in Psoriasis. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 15, 395-402. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S266036
