Are Apremilast/Apremilast tablets hormonal drugs? This article will clear up your doubts!

Apremilast/Apremilast is not a hormonal drug, nor is it a traditional immunosuppressant. It is a highly selective phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor and is a new oral targeted therapy drug widely used in the world to treat plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PSA). Unlike corticosteroids, Apremilast does not directly interfere with the human body's hormone system, nor does it cause side effects such as osteoporosis, diabetes, central obesity, water and sodium retention that are common with long-term hormone use, so patients do not need to bear the psychological burden of "hormone dependence" or "hormone rebound" when using it.

The mechanism of action of Apremilast is mainly through inhibitingPDE4 enzyme, reducing the decomposition of cAMP in inflammatory cells, thereby reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α, IL-17, IL-23, etc.). This mechanism is relatively mild and helps regulate excessive activation of the immune system rather than blindly suppressing immune function. Therefore, it is more suitable for long-term maintenance treatment of chronic, autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

In a number of international multi-center clinical studies, Apremilast has demonstrated good efficacy and tolerability. Common side effects include mild gastrointestinal reactions (such as nausea, diarrhea), loss of appetite, and fatigue. However, these discomforts usually gradually reduce in the first few weeks of taking the drug and will not affect important organs such as the liver and kidneys, nor will they cause violent fluctuations in the immune system. In overseas drug warning systems, Apremilast's safety score is also much higher than that of most immunosuppressive drugs or glucocorticoid drugs.

In addition, it is worth emphasizing that Apremilast does not have the same restrictions as hormonal drugs"It cannot be stopped suddenly." Under the guidance of a doctor, patients can flexibly adjust or discontinue treatment according to their condition without worrying about hormone-dependent reactions caused by discontinuation of medication. However, as a drug that modulates the immune system, it may still have psychological effects (such as mild depression or mood swings) in individual patients, so it is recommended to maintain regular follow-up while taking the drug.

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