All you need to know about Apremilast and its Uses

What is apremilast and how is it used:

Apremilast (trade name Otezla) is used to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It’s a type of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). It mainly targets an enzyme known as PDE4, which is associated with the inflammatory processes which are responsible for causing the symptoms of these conditions. Otezla 30 mg has been shown in order to reduce the symptoms such as swollen and tender joints and to improve skin symptoms, including scalp and nail psoriasis. If Apremilast tablets work for you, you should start marking the benefits within the initial four months of the treatment. Apremilast must be prescribed by a clinical specialist in rheumatology for adults with psoriatic arthritis. It can be used alone or with other disease-modifying drugs such as methotrexate. You won’t be recommended otezla 30 mg if you haven’t tried other treatments appropriate for your condition first.

How do I consume apremilast:

Apremilast psoriatic arthritis medication is consumed as tablets. They should be taken with or without food. If you forget to take a dose, contact your healthcare team immediately for suggestions on when to take the very next one. Because treatment with this drug is a long-term process, it’s crucial to keep taking it, unless you experience severe side-effects:

• even if this doesn’t seem to be effective at first
• even when the signs and symptoms improve (to help keep your condition under control).

Your doctor may decide to stop the treatment after four months if there hasn’t been enough improvement in your symptoms.

How does it work: Apremilast is an oral medication which works by inhibiting (stops it from working as it usually does) an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE4). Phosphodiesterase inhibitors control the process of inflammation in the skin. Reducing the inflammation as well as controlling it in the skin may lead to improvement of signs and symptoms in people who are with psoriasis. 

Apremilast side effects and possible risks: Like other medicines, apremilast 30 mg may cause side effects but many people won’t have any kind of trouble. You should speak to your rheumatology team if you’re worried about side effects.

Common side effects of apremilast include diarrhoea, feeling sick, and coughs and colds. These adverse reactions mostly appear within the initial weeks of the treatment with apremilast and are usually mild enough to clear up without any special treatment. A few people might experience stomach pain, headaches, or loss of appetite. If you catch an infection while consuming apremilast 30 mg, speak to your rheumatology team. Patients should stop taking apremilast in case of serious infections. 

Drug Interactions: The uses of cytochrome P450 enzyme inducers with the apremilast is not recommended as their concomitant use can result in decreased systemic exposure and efficacy of apremilast. 

Does Apremilast affect fertility or pregnancy: Apremilast has not been studied in pregnant women or nursing mothers, so its effects on unborn babies and children remains unknown.
It is recommended that this medication should be not consumed if pregnant or have a plan to conceive a baby. The drug is also not recommended while breastfeeding. It is important that an effective method of contraception is used while taking Apremilast tablets. 

Special warnings and precautions for use: Patients who are with the rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or lapp lactase deficiency should avoid the consumption of this medicinal product.
Otezla must be dose reduced to 30 mg once daily in those patients who are with severe renal impairment.
Underweight patients at the beginning of the treatment must have their body weight monitored at the regular time period. In the case of unexplained and also clinically significant weight loss, patients need to be evaluated by a medical practitioner and discontinuation of the treatment must be considered.

In case you take more Apremilast than you should: In case you take more apremilast dose than you should, discuss with your healthcare practitioner or head to the hospital straight away. Take the medication pack and this leaflet along with you.

In case you forget to take Apremilast: In case you miss an apremilast dose, just take it as soon as you remember. Although, In case it is near about the time for the upcoming dose, you need to skip the missed apremilast dose. And take the very next apremilast dose at your regular time schedule. It is not recommended to take a couple of doses at the same time.

In case you stop taking Apremilast: You need to continue taking apremilast until your healthcare professional instructs you to stop. It is not recommended to stop taking this drug without talking to your healthcare provider first.
In case you have any further query on the administration of this medication, ask your healthcare practitioner. 

Precautions for storage: Should not store above 30°C. Avoid using apremilast in case you notice any kind of damage or tampering signs to the medication packaging.

NOTE: The piece of information mentioned about "ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APREMILAST AND ITS USES" in this article is just for the informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis of a qualified doctor.

Read:- Cure of Psoriatic Arthritis