APREZO 20MG – Apremilast 4 tablets

About Aprezo 20 mg

Aprezo 20 mg  belongs to a class of drug known as a steroid (phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors). It is used to treat Plaque psoriasis (scaly, itchy, and red patches on the skin), psoriasis arthritis (inflammation in the joints in people with psoriasis), and oral ulcers. Psoriasis is a chronic, painful, nontransmissible, deactivating and damaging disease. It can happen at any age and is most common in the age group 50 to 69. Psoriasis arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects a few people who have the skin form psoriasis.

Aprezo 20 mg  contains Apremilast, which is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors. Aprezo 20 mg  works by blocking the action of some chemical messengers that are responsible for inflammation-related with psoriatic arthritis (inflammation in the joints in people with psoriasis) and psoriasis (scaly, itchy, and red patches on the skin), and thus, lowers the signs and symptoms of these conditions.

Take Aprezo 20 mg  as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Aprezo 20 mg  for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical conditions. You may experience diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, weight loss, back pain. Most of these side effects of Aprezo 20 mg  do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.

Aprezo 20 mg  should not be taken in the conditions like depression as it is getting worse with thoughts of suicide. Before starting Aprezo 20 mg , please inform your doctor if you have any allergy with Aprezo 20 mg  and its part. Aprezo 20 mg  not recommended for use in children and adolescents aged below 17 years. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, ask your doctor for advice before taking this Aprezo 20 mg . Aprezo 20 mg  does not affect the ability to drive and use machines.

Uses of Aprezo 30 mg:   Plaque psoriasis, psoriasis arthritis, and oral ulcers caused by Behcet’s disease.

Medicinal Benefits

Aprezo 20 mg  is used in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis; it decreases pain and swelling and may help improve flexibility in the affected joints. It is also used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (skin disease causes red, scaly patches form on some areas of the body) in people who may benefit from medications). It is used to treat ulcers in the mouth in persons with Behcet’s syndrome (a disease that results from blood vessel swelling in the body). Aprezo 20 mg  works by blocking the action of some chemical messengers responsible for inflammation-related with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, thus lowering the signs and symptoms of these conditions.

Directions for Use

Aprezo 20 mg  is available in the form of a tablet. Take the Aprezo 20 mg  orally. The doctor determines the dose and duration of the medicine. Take Aprezo 20 mg  with or without food. Swallow the Aprezo 20 mg  as a whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break it.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Aprezo 20 mg

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Nausea

Weight loss

Back pain

Drug Warnings

Inform your doctor before using Aprezo 20 mg , if you have previously had an allergic reaction (hypersensitivity). Before starting Aprezo 20 mg , please inform your doctor if you have depression and suicidal thoughts. Inform your doctor before taking Aprezo 20 mg  if you have If you have severe kidney problems. Inform your doctor while taking Aprezo 20 mg  if you lose weight without meaning to. Aprezo 20 mg  should not be taken in the condition like severe diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. Aprezo 20 mg  not recommended for use in children and adolescents aged below 17 years. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, ask your doctor for advice before taking this Aprezo 20 mg . Patients with rare hereditary galactose intolerance problems, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take Aprezo 20 mg .

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interactions: Aprezo 20 mg  may interact with medicines used for tuberculosis- TB (rifampicin), medicines used in fit/epilepsy (phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine).

Drug-Food Interactions: No food interaction found.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Apremilast  should not be given to patients with depression, kidney disease, and weight loss.

Safety Advice

ALCOHOL

Limit intake of alcohol, as this may worsen the condition of psoriasis.

PREGNANCY

It is advisable before taking Apremilast  to inform your doctor if you are pregnant, likely to get pregnant. It would be best if you did not become pregnant while taking this Apremilast .

BREAST FEEDING

It is not known Apremilast  may pass into breast milk or not. Thus Apremilast  should be avoided for breastfeeding mothers. Inform your doctor immediately before taking Apremilast .

DRIVING

Apremilast  has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

LIVER

Apremilast  to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.

KIDNEY

Apremilast  to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.

Habit Forming :   No

Diet & Lifestyle Advise

Physical activity helps in strengthening muscles and relieves joint stiffness. Gentle activities like 20-30minutes of walking or swimming would be helpful.

Performing yoga may also help in improving joint flexibility and pain management.

Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.

Get adequate sleep as resting the muscles can help in reducing inflammation and swelling.

Follow heat or cold therapy, apply a cold or hot compress on the joints for 15-20minutes regularly.

De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath or listen to soothing music.

Acupuncture, massage and physical therapy may also be helpful.

Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.

Foods containing flavonoids help in reducing inflammation. These include soy, berries, broccoli, grapes and green tea.

Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.

Special Advise

Apremilast  is a well-tolerated medicine. Mild stomach upset may arise early during the treatment.

Monitor your weight repeatedly as Apremilast  may lead to weight loss.

Inform your doctor immediately if you experience new or worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, unexplained weight loss, or other mood changes.

Other Information :   This item is Not Returnable.

Disease/Condition Glossary

Plaque Psoriasis: It is an inflammatory disease of the skin, leading to red, scaly, thick, itchy, painful patches on your skin and can also affect your nails and scalp. It can happen at any age and is most common in the age group 50 to 69. Psoriasis can also be caused by internal and external activates, including sunburn, mild trauma, systemic drugs, infections, and stress.

Psoriatic arthritis: Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory disorder of the joints, which affects a few people who have skin form psoriasis.

Behçet’s disease: It is an uncommon type of inflammatory illness that affects many parts of the body. The most common difficulty is mouth ulcers. It is a disease that results in blood vessel swelling in the body.

FAQs

Apremilast  may cause depression as a side effect. The patient may also cause suicidal thoughts. Apremilast  should be avoided in people with a history of depression. In case you develop any of these symptoms, Inform your doctor immediately.

Apremilast  is used to treat plaque psoriasis (red, scaly, thick, itchy, painful patches on the skin) and psoriatic arthritis (a condition that causes joint pain and swelling). It is a long-period treatment and may take about 16 weeks to show an improvement.

Apremilast  may cause a reduction in appetite, which may further lead to weight loss. You should monitor your weight frequently while on treatment with Apremilast . In case of big weight loss, inform your doctor. Your doctor may consider stopping Apremilast .

You should not take rifampicin if you are taking Apremilast . Rifampicin interferes with the working of Apremilast  by reducing its levels, making it less effective. As a result, you may not see any recovery after taking Apremilast .