Generic
Apremilast
Indications
Apremilast is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis and moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
Dosage Administration
The recommended initial dosage titration of Apremilast from Day 1 to Day 5 is shown below. Following the 5-day titration, the recommended maintenance dosage is 30 mg twice daily taken orally starting on Day 6. This titration is intended to reduce the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with initial therapy. Apremilast can be administered without regard to meals. Day 1: 10 mg in morning Day 2: 10 mg in morning and 10 mg in evening Day 3: 10 mg in morning and 20 mg in evening Day 4: 20 mg in morning and 20 mg in evening Day 5: 20 mg in morning and 30 mg in evening Day 6: 30 mg twice daily Dosage adjustment in patients with severe renal impairment. Apremilast dosage should be reduced to 30 mg once daily in patients with severe renal impairment. For initial dosage titration, it is recommended that Apremilast be titrated using only the morning schedule and the evening doses be skipped.
Contraindications
Treatment with Apremilast is associated with an increase in adverse reactions of depression. Patients, their caregivers and families should be advised of the need to be alert for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or other mood changes and if such changes occur to contact their healthcare provider. Prescribers should carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing treatment with Apremilast if such events occur. During the controlled period of the studies in psoriatic arthritis, weight decrease between 5-10% of body weight was reported in 10% of subjects treated with Apremilast 30 mg twice daily compared to 3.3% treated with placebo.
Side Effects
Co-administration of strong cytochrome P450 enzyme inducer Rifampin resulted in a reduction of systemic exposure of Apremilast.Therefore.the use of cytochrome P450 enzyme inducers (e.g. Rifampin, Phenobarbital,Carbamazepine, Phenytoin) with Apremilast is not recommended.
Pregnancy And Lactation
Apremilast is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to Apremilast or to any of the excipients in the formulation.
Over The Counter Products
