Apremilast is an oral inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) that is licensed for the second-line treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Data from several phase III clinical trials and real-world studies showed a good benefit-risk profile, with diarrhea and nausea as the most common adverse events. Diarrhea and nausea most frequently occurred during the first month of treatment. In most cases, they were mild or moderate in severity and tended to resolve over time with continued dosing and without intervention. In this review we summarize available data on gastrointestinal side effects of apremilast in patients with psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis and provide practical strategies for managing these symptoms.
Keywords: Diarrhea; Nausea; PDE4; Psoriasis; Psoriatic arthritis.