Sotyktu (deucravacitinib)

Sotyktu generic

Sotyktu is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Sotyktu dosage

The following information describes the Sotyktu dosage that is commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug form and strength

Sotyktu comes as an oral tablet in one strength: 6 milligrams (mg).

Dosage for plaque psoriasis

The usual dosage of Sotyktu for plaque psoriasis is 6 mg once per day.

The maximum dosage of Sotyktu is 6 mg once per day.

What if I miss a dose?

The manufacturer of Sotyktu hasn’t stated what to do about a missed dose. If you miss a dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you whether to take the missed dose or skip it.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Will I need to take this drug long term?

Sotyktu is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Sotyktu is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Common questions about Sotyktu

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Sotyktu.

Is Sotyktu used for Crohn’s disease or arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis?

Sotyktu is not approved to treat Crohn’s disease or any arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis. At this time, the drug is approved to treat only plaque psoriasis.

It’s unknown whether Sotyktu is effective for treating other conditions. However, researchers are studying the drug for Crohn’s disease treatment and psoriatic arthritis treatment.

Your doctor can recommend other treatment options for Crohn’s disease, arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

Can Sotyktu cure plaque psoriasis?

No, Sotyktu doesn’t cure plaque psoriasis. There’s currently no cure for plaque psoriasis. Sotyktu is used to ease the symptoms of this condition.

If you have questions about what to expect while taking Sotyktu, talk with your doctor.

Does Sotyktu work differently than Otezla?

Yes, Sotyktu works differently than the medication apremilast (Otezla).

Both Sotyktu and Otezla are approved to treat plaque psoriasis. However, each drug works by blocking the activity of a different enzyme. (An enzyme is a type of protein.)

Sotyktu blocks the activity of an enzyme called tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2). Otezla blocks the activity of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4).

To learn more about how Sotyktu works, see the “How Sotyktu works” section below. For information about how Otezla works, refer to this article. You can also talk with your doctor or visit the manufacturer sites for Sotyktu and Otezla.

Sotyktu side effects

Sotyktu can cause side effects (also known as adverse effects). These may be mild or serious. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Sotyktu. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Sotyktu, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Sotyktu, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Sotyktu. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Sotyktu’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Sotyktu can include:

• mild infection, such as cold sores or upper respiratory infection (including the common cold)
• acne
• folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles)
• mouth ulcers
• mild allergic reaction*

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about allergic reaction and Sotyktu, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Sotyktu aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

• Serious infections, such as pneumonia. Symptoms vary depending on the type of infection but can include:
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • fever or chills
• Cancer, such as lymphoma. Symptoms vary depending on the type of cancer but can include:
  • swollen lymph nodes
  • fatigue
  • fever or chills
• Rhabdomyolysis (a type of severe muscle damage). Symptoms can include:
  • muscle pain or weakness
  • dark urine
  • fatigue
  • abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
• High levels of liver enzymes, which may be a sign of liver damage. Symptoms can include:
  • dark urine
  • abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
  • jaundice
  • pale stool
• High level of triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood), which doesn’t usually cause symptoms but may be detected with a lipid blood test.
• Severe allergic reaction.*

* For details about allergic reaction and Sotyktu, see “Allergic reaction” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Sotyktu. It’s not clear whether this side effect was reported in clinical trials of this drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
• trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Sotyktu, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Sotyktu for plaque psoriasis

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Sotyktu to treat certain conditions.

Sotyktu is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults.

Sotyktu is used when the plaque psoriasis can be eased by systemic therapy or phototherapy. (Systemic therapy is a treatment that affects the entire body. Phototherapy is also known as light therapy.) This means that topical drugs that are first used to treat psoriasis have either stopped working or are causing side effects. Or your psoriasis has spread and the topical drugs are not enough to ease your symptoms. (Topical drugs are applied to the skin.)

Note: Sotyktu has a limitation of use. The drug’s manufacturer advises against taking the drug with certain other immunosuppressants. An immunosuppressant is a medication that reduces immune system activity. For more information, see the “Sotyktu interactions” section below.

Plaque psoriasis explained

Plaque psoriasis is a type of psoriasis, which is an autoimmune disease. With autoimmune diseases, your immune system mistakenly attacks your body.

Plaque psoriasis causes inflammation of the skin. This leads to plaques (patches of skin) on areas such as the scalp, elbows, and knees. Symptoms of this condition include painful plaques that may be discolored or scaly. The plaques may also bleed, crack, or itch.

With moderate plaque psoriasis, 3% to 10% of the body has plaques. With severe plaque psoriasis, 10% or more of the body has plaques.

You can learn more about plaque psoriasis by visiting our psoriasis hub.

Effectiveness for plaque psoriasis

Clinical trials have shown Sotyktu to be effective for treating plaque psoriasis. For information about how the drug performed in clinical trials, see Sotyktu’s prescribing information. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website.

Sotyktu and children

Sotyktu is not FDA-approved for use in children. Clinical trials of the drug included only adults. It’s not known whether Sotyktu is safe or effective for children.

Sotyktu cost

As with all medications, the cost of Sotyktu can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Keep in mind that you may be able to get a 90-day supply of Sotyktu. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.

It’s important to note that you’ll have to get Sotyktu at a specialty pharmacy. This type of pharmacy is authorized to carry specialty medications. These are drugs that may be expensive or may require help from healthcare professionals to be used safely and effectively.

Before approving coverage for Sotyktu, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide whether the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to get prior authorization for Sotyktu, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Sotyktu or help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Sotyktu’s 360 Support, Bridge Program, and Co-Pay Assistance Program are available. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 888-768-9588 or visit the Sotyktu website.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Mail-order pharmacies

Sotyktu is available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

If recommended by your doctor, you may be able to receive a 90-day supply of Sotyktu, so there’s less concern about running out of the medication. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

Generic version

Sotyktu is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Alternatives to Sotyktu

Other drugs are available that can treat plaque psoriasis. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Sotyktu, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat plaque psoriasis include:

• oral medications, such as:
  • apremilast (Otezla)
  • methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall, others)
• injectable medications, such as:
  • adalimumab (Humira)
  • certolizumab pegol (Cimzia)
  • etanercept (Enbrel)
  • guselkumab (Tremfya)
  • infliximab (Remicade)
  • ixekizumab (Taltz)
  • risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi)
  • secukinumab (Cosentyx)
  • ustekinumab (Stelara)
• topical medications (drugs that are applied to the skin), such as:
  • anthralin
  • betamethasone (Sernivo)
  • brodalumab (Siliq)
  • calcipotriene (Dovonex)
  • calcitriol (Vectical)
  • desoximetasone (Topicort)
  • halobetasol (Bryhali, Lexette)
  • roflumilast (Zoryve)
  • tapinarof (Vtama)
  • tazarotene (Tazorac)
  • tildrakizumab-asmn (Ilumya)

Sotyktu and alcohol

Sotyktu isn’t known to interact with alcohol. If you have questions about consuming alcohol while you’re taking Sotyktu, talk with your doctor.

Sotyktu interactions

Sotyktu can interact with several other medications and vaccines.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Drug-condition interactions can also cause certain effects. For information about these interactions, see the “Sotyktu precautions” section below.

Sotyktu and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Sotyktu. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Sotyktu.

Before taking Sotyktu, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

The manufacturer of Sotyktu advises against taking the medication with other strong immunosuppressant drugs. (An immunosuppressant is a medication that reduces the activity of the immune system. And Sotyktu is a type of strong immunosuppressant.) Sotyktu has not been studied in combination with these drugs. It isn’t known whether it’s safe to take Sotyktu with these immunosuppressants.

For this reason, doctors typically will not prescribe Sotyktu with immunosuppressants. Examples include cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) and mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept).

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Sotyktu and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Sotyktu. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Sotyktu treatment.

Sotyktu and foods

No foods have been specifically reported to interact with Sotyktu. If you have any questions about eating certain foods during Sotyktu treatment, talk with your doctor.

Sotyktu and vaccines

It may not be safe to get a live vaccine while taking Sotyktu.

Live vaccines are made from a weakened form of the virus or bacterium the vaccine protects against. A healthy immune system can usually fight the virus or bacterium in a live vaccine. But if the immune system isn’t fully active, it may not be strong enough to fight. This could lead to infection after getting a live vaccine.

Sotyktu itself may reduce your immune system activity. So your risk of infection from a live vaccine could be greater during Sotyktu treatment.

To be safe, the manufacturer of Sotyktu advises that you avoid getting live vaccines during treatment with the drug. Examples of live vaccines include:

• chickenpox
• yellow fever
• measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• the nasal spray form of the flu vaccine (FluMist)

Before starting Sotyktu treatment, ask your doctor whether you need any live vaccines. They may have you get them prior to taking the medication.

If you plan to have any vaccines while taking Sotyktu, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you’re taking the drug. They’ll advise you on which vaccines should be safe to receive during treatment.

How to take Sotyktu

You should take Sotyktu according to your doctor’s instructions.

Sotyktu comes as an oral tablet. You’ll take the drug by swallowing it.

When to take

You’ll likely take Sotyktu once per day. Try to take your Sotyktu doses at the same time each day. Doing so helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body. This helps Sotyktu work effectively.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Accessible labels and containers

If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist if they can put Sotyktu in an easy-open container. They also may be able to recommend tools that can make it simpler to open lids.

Taking Sotyktu with food

You can take Sotyktu with or without food.

Can Sotyktu be crushed, split, or chewed?

No, you should not crush, split, or chew Sotyktu oral tablets. You should swallow them whole.

If you have trouble swallowing Sotyktu oral tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also see this article for suggestions.

How Sotyktu works

Sotyktu is used to treat plaque psoriasis.

Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. It causes skin inflammation that leads to plaques (patches) on the scalp, elbows, or knees.

Sotyktu belongs to a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors. Sotyktu works by blocking the activity of an enzyme called TYK2. (An enzyme is a type of protein in your body that triggers a specific action.) Blocking the enzyme’s action helps reduce inflammation. This helps ease the symptoms of plaque psoriasis.

How long does it take to work?

Sotyktu starts working right away to treat your condition. However, it may take several weeks for the symptoms of your condition to start easing.

In clinical trials of Sotyktu, most people with plaque psoriasis had fewer symptoms by 16 weeks after the drug was started.

Sotyktu and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Sotyktu is safe to take while pregnant. This drug hasn’t been studied during pregnancy.

If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, tell your doctor before starting treatment with Sotyktu. They can advise you on the risks and benefits of taking this drug while pregnant.

If you become pregnant while taking Sotyktu, talk with your doctor. And because the drug hasn’t been researched in pregnant people, you should also consider reporting your pregnancy to the drug’s manufacturer. You can call 800-721-5072 to do this.

Sotyktu and birth control

It’s not known whether Sotyktu is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs during Sotyktu treatment.

For more information about taking Sotyktu during pregnancy, see the “Sotyktu and pregnancy” section above.

Sotyktu and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Sotyktu passes into breast milk or whether the drug could lead to side effects in a child who is breastfed.

Animal trials have found that Sotyktu passes into the milk of lactating animals. However, animal studies don’t always predict what happens in humans.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting Sotyktu treatment. They can recommend ways to feed your child.

Sotyktu precautions

This drug comes with several precautions. These are considered drug-condition interactions.

Before taking Sotyktu, talk with your doctor about your health history. Sotyktu may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include the ones mentioned below.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Sotyktu, see the “Sotyktu side effects” section above.

Infection, including tuberculosis, and hepatitis B and C. Sotyktu may worsen infection. The drug can also cause an inactive infection to become active again. (An inactive infection doesn’t cause symptoms. An active infection causes symptoms.)

Before starting treatment with Sotyktu, tell your doctor if you have an infection, especially tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. You should also tell them if you’ve previously had these infections.

If you have an infection, your doctor will likely treat it before you begin taking Sotyktu. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had TB, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C, your doctor may test you for them. They can also treat them if needed before you start taking Sotyktu.

Cancer. It’s not known whether Sotyktu is safe for people who have cancer or had it in the past. In rare cases, the drug may cause certain cancers, such as lymphoma. Before taking Sotyktu, tell your doctor if you have cancer or had it previously. They can advise you on whether the medication is the right treatment option for you.

Severe liver problems. If you have a severe liver problem, such as liver failure, your doctor may not prescribe Sotyktu. Taking the drug while you have a severe liver problem could increase your risk of side effects from Sotyktu. Your doctor can recommend a different treatment.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Sotyktu or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe the drug. Ask them about other medications that may be better options for you.

Pregnancy. It isn’t known whether Sotyktu is safe to take during pregnancy. For more information, see the “Sotyktu and pregnancy” section above.

Breastfeeding. It’s not known whether Sotyktu passes into breast milk. For more information, see the “Sotyktu and breastfeeding” section above.

Sotyktu overdose

Do not take more Sotyktu than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

What to do in case you take too much Sotyktu

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.