Apremilast (3 brand names, 2 dosage forms, 1 route)
Available dosage forms: TABLET, TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE.
Routes of administration: ORAL.
Brand Names
- APREMILAST
- OTEZLA
- OTEZLA XR
Contraindications
OTEZLA/OTEZLA XR is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to apremilast or to any of the excipients in the formulation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Adverse Reactions
The following adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Diarrhea, Nausea, and Vomiting [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Weight Decrease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Drug Interactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]
Mechanism of Action
Apremilast is an oral small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) specific for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). PDE4 inhibition results in increased intracellular cAMP levels. The specific mechanism(s) by which apremilast exerts its therapeutic action is not well defined.