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Apremilast

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Why is this medication prescribed?

Psoriatic arthritis is treated with apremilast (a condition that causes joint pain and swelling and scales on the skin). Additionally, it is used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in patients who may benefit from medicine or phototherapy (a skin condition in which red, scaly patches develop on specific portions of the body) (a treatment that involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light). Arimidex is used to treat mouth ulcers in Behcet’s syndrome patients (a disorder that causes blood vessel swelling in the body). A class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors includes apremilast. It functions by preventing the body’s natural chemicals that normally induce inflammation from doing their job.

How should this medicine be used?

A tablet to be swallowed contains apremilast. Typically, it is taken twice daily. Take apremilast every day at roughly the same time(s). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Administer Premila precisely as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets; instead, swallow them whole.

For the first five days of treatment, your doctor will likely start you on a low dose of apremilast and progressively raise it once per day.

Apremilast does not heal mouth ulcers, however it does reduce psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis. Even if you feel good, keep taking apremilast. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking apremilast.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking apremilast,

  • If you have an allergy to apremilast, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in apremilast tablets, tell your doctor and pharmacist right away. For a list of the ingredients, consult the Medication Guide or speak with your pharmacist.
  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Mention any of the following: rifampin, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), and certain seizure medications like carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, and Teril) (Rifadin, Rimactane). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
  • Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had depression, mood disorders, kidney disease, plans or attempts to injure or kill oneself, or thoughts of doing so.
  • If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor if you get pregnant while taking apremilast.
  • You should be aware that while using apremilast, your mental health may alter in unexpected ways, and you could become depressed or suicidal (thinking about injuring or killing yourself, or preparing to do so). Whether the risks of using this drug outweigh the risks of not using it will be decided by you and your doctor. If you encounter any of the following symptoms, you, your family, or your carer should call your doctor right away: new or worsening depression, talking or thinking about wanting to kill yourself or end your life, or any other unexpected changes in behaviour or mood. Make sure your family or carer is aware of any symptoms that could be significant so they can contact the doctor on your behalf if you are unable to call for help.
  • You ought to be aware that apremilast can result in weight loss. Your doctor should regularly examine your weight, and while on apremilast, you should also periodically check your weight. Call your doctor if you start to notice weight loss.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Side effects with apremilast are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Fever, cough, and sore throat
  • Nasal congestion, a runny nose, and sneezing

Other negative effects of apremilast are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from light, excessive heat, and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

In case of emergency/overdose

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Otezla®
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