Introduction About APXENTA 10MG TABLET

APXENTA 10MG TABLET contains Apremilast which belongs to a group of medicines called Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors. APXENTA 10MG TABLET is used to manage active psoriatic arthritis (chronic inflammatory disease of joints) in adults when disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (medications used to manage arthritis) are insufficient to manage the disease.

APXENTA 10MG TABLET is also used to manage moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis (chronic inflammatory skin disease) when phototherapy (management with a special type of light), and/or systemic therapy (with ciclosporin, methotrexate, psoralen) are insufficient to manage the disease. The medicine is also indicated for use to manage Behçet’s disease (rare inflammatory disorder that affects blood vessels and tissues) in adults.

APXENTA 10MG TABLET is not recommended for use in patients allergic to Apremilast. Before taking APXENTA 10MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you are underweight, and/or have gut problems, intolerance to certain sugars (such as lactose), kidney problems (such as severe kidney disease), and/or liver problems (such as hepatic impairment).

APXENTA 10MG TABLET is generally not recommended for use during pregnancy and in women planning for pregnancy. It is also not recommended for use in breastfeeding women as it is not known whether the medicine passes through breastmilk.

APXENTA 10MG TABLET is generally not recommended for use in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years) and is advised to be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years/above) after consulting the doctor.

The most common side effects of taking APXENTA 10MG TABLET are stomach pain, loss of appetite, indigestion/heartburn, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and/or headache. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects worsens.

Uses Of APXENTA 10MG TABLET

In adults:

• Manage active psoriatic arthritis when disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are insufficient to manage the disease
• Manage moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis (chronic inflammatory skin disease) when phototherapy (management with a special type of light), and/or systemic therapy (with ciclosporin, methotrexate, psoralen) are insufficient to manage the disease
• Manage Behçet’s disease (rare inflammatory disorder that affects blood vessels and tissues)

How APXENTA 10MG TABLET Works

APXENTA 10MG TABLET works by reducing the activity of phosphodiesterase 4 (enzyme involved in the process of inflammation) which leads to reduced occurrence of inflammatory process and providing relief from signs & symptoms associated with conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, chronic plaque psoriasis and Behcet’s disease in affected individuals.  

How to use APXENTA 10MG TABLET

Take APXENTA 10MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicines with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

Side Effects Of APXENTA 10MG TABLET

How To Manage Side Effects

Headache:

Rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes and apply a pain-relieving balm on the head if necessary. Do not consume alcohol. Contact your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

Nausea/vomiting:

Take APXENTA 10MG TABLET with or just after a meal. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil rich or spicy foods, sugary snacks and drinks. Avoid drinking too much liquid along with your meals, drink slowly in between meals. Inform your doctor if the condition worsens.

Diarrhoea:

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or fruit juices to keep you hydrated. Do not take any medicine on your own for managing diarrhea. Contact your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

Indigestion:

Try to have smaller and more frequent meals and drink slowly. Reduce consumption of coffee, cola, tea, or alcohol and lose weight if you are obese.  Try to avoid smoking and don’t have rich, fatty or spicy foods. Consult your doctor and inform if the symptom does not improve.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

APXENTA 10MG TABLET is generally not recommended for use during pregnancy and in women planning for pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking the medicine.

Breastfeeding

APXENTA 10MG TABLET is generally not recommended for use in breastfeeding women since it is not known whether the medicine passes through breast milk. Consult your doctor before taking the medicine.

Driving and Using Machines

APXENTA 10MG TABLET is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machines.  

Kidney

APXENTA 10MG TABLET should be taken with caution in patients with severe kidney problems. Consult your doctor before taking APXENTA 10MG TABLET.

Liver

APXENTA 10MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with liver problems such as hepatic impairment. Consult your doctor before taking APXENTA 10MG TABLET.

Allergy

Do not take APXENTA 10MG TABLET if you are allergic to Apremilast, and/or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking APXENTA 10MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicine:

• rifampicin (medicines used to manage tuberculosis)
• phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine (medicines used to manage seizures/epilepsy)
• St John’s Wort (herbal medicine used for mild anxiety and depression)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally take too much of APXENTA 10MG TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.

Synopsis

More Information

• Keep APXENTA 10MG TABLET out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not store APXENTA 10MG TABLET above 30°C

FAQs About APXENTA 10MG TABLET

What is APXENTA 10MG TABLET used for?

APXENTA 10MG TABLET is used to manage active psoriatic arthritis (chronic inflammatory disease of joints) in adults when disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (medications used to manage arthritis) are insufficient to manage the disease. It is also used to manage moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis (chronic inflammatory skin disease) when phototherapy (management with a special type of light), and/or systemic therapy (with ciclosporin, methotrexate, psoralen) are insufficient to manage the disease. The medicine is also indicated for use to manage Behçet’s disease (rare inflammatory disorder that affects blood vessels and tissues) in adults.

What are the side effects of APXENTA 10MG TABLET?

The most common side effects of taking APXENTA 10MG TABLET are stomach pain, loss of appetite, indigestion/heartburn, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and/or headache. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects worsens.

How APXENTA 10MG TABLET works?

APXENTA 10MG TABLET works by reducing the activity of phosphodiesterase 4 (enzyme involved in the process of inflammation) which leads to reduced occurrence of inflammatory process and providing relief from signs & symptoms associated with conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, chronic plaque psoriasis and Behcet’s disease in affected individuals.

How APXENTA 10MG TABLET should be taken?

Take APXENTA 10MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicines with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

Can APXENTA 10MG TABLET be used in children and adolescents?

No, APXENTA 10MG TABLET is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years). Consult your doctor before administering the medicine to the child.

References

1. Christopher E. M. Griffiths, Daniel Creamer, Jonathan Barker, Robert Chalmers, Tanya O. Bleiker. Plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Atopic Eczema. Rook's Textbook of Dermatology. Ninth edition. 2016. Page- 1161, 1177, 1296.

2. Tina Zerilli, Eric Ocheretyaner. Apremilast (Otezla): A New Oral Treatment for Adults with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.  NIH National Library of Medicine. National center for biotechnology information. PMC PubMed Central. August 2015. [Accessed on 29th April 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4517531/

3. Amgen Europe B.V. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in May 2021] [Accessed on 29th April 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3648.pdf

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• X-ray
• MRI scan
• C-Reactive protein blood test

Author Details

Written By Dr. K .AZEEM HUSSAIN - B.D.S

Reviewed By Dr. Sankara Babu Gorle - MBBS, MD(Pharmacology) View profile

Last updated on 29 Nov 2022 | 06:54 PM(IST)