Detailed explanation of four groups of people who should not take Apremilast tablets

Apremilast is an oral small molecule phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor commonly used to treat psoriatic arthritis and moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The drug reduces skin damage and joint pain by inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors. It is widely used because of its oral convenience and relative safety for long-term use. However, not all patients are suitable for taking apremilast, and the following four groups of people should be particularly cautious or avoid using it.

The first is pregnant and breastfeeding women. Overseas guidelines and instructions indicate that apremilast may have adverse effects on fetal development, and there is currently a lack of sufficient safety data. Therefore, women who plan to become pregnant or are already breastfeeding should avoid using this drug and choose other safer treatments if necessary.

Next are patients with severe depression. During the clinical use of Apremilast, it has been found that some patients are at risk of experiencing depression or even worsening of suicidal ideation, especially individuals with a history of depression or mental illness. If such patients must use it, they must be closely monitored by a doctor and their mental status must be assessed in a timely manner.

The third category is people with poor digestive function. Common side effects of apremilast include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and weight loss, and may be poorly tolerated by patients with pre-existing digestive system diseases or malnutrition. For patients who are frail or underweight, long-term medication may bring significant risks.

Finally, there are those with severe renal insufficiency. Drug metabolism and excretion are greatly affected by renal function. Patients with severe renal impairment need to adjust the dose or consider alternative treatments, otherwise drug accumulation and the risk of adverse reactions may increase.

Reference materials:https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB05676