Aprezo (Apremilast) 30 mg, 30 tablets: profile, composition and research

Reference page for Aprezo (Apremilast) 30 mg, 30 tablets. Active substance: Апремиласт / Apremilast.

Key facts

What apremilast is

Apremilast is a synthetic substance taken by mouth as tablets. It belongs to the class of phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, which means it blocks one specific enzyme inside the cells of the immune system.

Unlike biological medicines, which are given by injection, apremilast comes as 30 mg tablets and acts on the whole body. That makes it one of the options when a physician considers oral intake convenient.

The psoriasis for which this substance is used has nothing to do with hygiene and is not contagious. It is an immune-mediated disease: skin cells divide too quickly, which produces thickened patches covered with scales.

How apremilast works

The target

The enzyme phosphodiesterase 4 breaks down cyclic AMP, a signalling molecule inside the cell. Apremilast blocks this enzyme, so the level of cyclic AMP in immune cells rises.

What changes in the cell

A higher level of cyclic AMP alters the behaviour of several signalling pathways. The cell produces fewer pro-inflammatory substances, among them tumour necrosis factor and interleukins.

The overall result

Inflammation in the skin and joints becomes less active, and the signs of the disease gradually decrease. The effect does not appear at once: a noticeable change may take several months, and the decision to continue treatment belongs to a physician.

Approved uses

The prescribing information lists moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. The medicine is considered an option when other systemic approaches are unsuitable, do not produce a result, or are poorly tolerated.

The second direction is psoriatic arthritis, where inflammation affects not only the skin but also the joints. Here apremilast is likewise used on a physician's prescription.

There is also research in milder forms of psoriasis and in particular patient groups. Even so, the list of indications is set by a doctor after examination, not by a reference page.

Published research

Primary sources, verified against PubMed:

• Apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: Results of a phase III, randomized, controlled trial (Efficacy and Safety Trial Evaluating the Effects of Apremilast in Psoriasis [ESTEEM] 1)., PubMed 26089047 (J Am Acad Dermatol, 2015).
• Apremilast, a novel phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, regulates inflammation through multiple cAMP downstream effectors., PubMed 26370839 (Arthritis Res Ther, 2015).
• Efficacy and safety of apremilast in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis: Results of a phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial., PubMed 34343599 (J Am Acad Dermatol, 2022).

Listed for reference. Publication of a study is not a claim about this particular product.

Precautions

• This is a prescription medicine. Prescribing, dosing and monitoring belong to a physician.
• Treatment may be accompanied by nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. Persistent or worsening symptoms should be reported to a doctor.
• Weight loss is possible during treatment, so body weight is monitored. A marked drop should be discussed with a physician.
• Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is decided with a doctor individually.
• Tell your doctor about every other medicine you take: interactions are possible.
• Do not stop treatment on your own, even if you feel better: the decision to stop is made by a physician.

Frequently asked