Apremilast is a non-steroidal medication used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Apremilast, also known as Otezla, is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor used to treat various types of symptoms resulting from certain inflammatory autoimmune diseases.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
The full mechanism of action of this drug is not fully established, however, it is known that apremilast is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), which mediates the activity of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a second messenger. The inhibition of PDE4 by apremilast leads to increased intracellular cAMP levels. An increase in cAMP results in the suppression of inflammation by decreasing the expression of TNF-α, IL-17, IL-23, and other inflammatory mediators. The above inflammatory mediators have been implicated in various psoriatic conditions as well as Behcet's disease, leading to their undesirable inflammatory symptoms such as mouth ulcers, skin lesions, and arthritis. Apremilast administration leads to a cascade which eventually decreases the levels of the above mediators, relieving inflammatory symptoms.
- Primary indication
- Apremilast is indicated for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis and adults with oral ulcers associated with Behcet's Disease.Curator reviewed · 6 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C22H24N2O7S · 460.5 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2020 · United States, 2014 · European Union, 2016
- Code names
- CC-10004
- Brand names
Resolves to
IMOZEMNVLZVGJZ-QGZVFWFLSA-NSMILESCCOC1=CC(=CC=C1OC)[C@@H](CS(C)(=O)=O)N1C(=O)C2=CC=CC(NC(C)=O)=C2C1=OWhat you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Apremilast, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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