deucravacitinib at a glance
Medicine class
Selective TYK2 inhibitor and immunosuppressant.
Licensed use
Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy.
Food
May be taken with or without food.
Tablet handling
Swallow whole; do not crush, cut or chew.
Vaccines
Avoid live vaccines during treatment and discuss planned vaccinations with the clinical team.
What is deucravacitinib used for?
Deucravacitinib is licensed for:
Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy.
How does deucravacitinib work?
TYK2 carries signals from inflammatory messengers including interleukin-23, interleukin-12 and type I interferons. Deucravacitinib selectively binds TYK2's regulatory domain, reducing inflammatory signalling involved in plaque psoriasis.
deucravacitinib preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 6 mg
How to take deucravacitinib
Follow the instructions provided by the prescribing team.
Swallow the film-coated tablet whole.
It may be taken with or without food.
Do not crush, cut or chew the tablet.
deucravacitinib side effects
Common or expected effects
- Upper respiratory infections, such as a sore throat or blocked nose
- Herpes simplex infections, including cold sores
- Mouth ulcers
- Acne-like rash
- Inflammation of hair follicles
- Raised blood creatine phosphokinase
Get urgent medical advice
- A clinically important infection, particularly one that is worsening or not responding to usual treatment
- Possible sepsis symptoms such as confusion, very fast breathing, blue, pale or blotchy skin, or a rash that does not fade when pressed
deucravacitinib in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited. As a precaution, the product information advises avoiding deucravacitinib during pregnancy. Contact the prescribing team if pregnant, planning pregnancy or pregnancy occurs.
deucravacitinib while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether deucravacitinib or its metabolites enter human milk, and risk to the infant cannot be excluded. The prescriber and patient should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding against the need for treatment.
deucravacitinib interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products with the clinical team. Product information highlights:
Live vaccines
Avoid during treatment because vaccine safety and response have not been evaluated in people taking deucravacitinib.
Methotrexate or mycophenolate mofetil
Clinical studies found no meaningful effect of deucravacitinib on their plasma exposure.
Rosuvastatin
Clinical studies found no meaningful effect on rosuvastatin exposure.
Common questions about deucravacitinib
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is deucravacitinib a biologic treatment?
No. It is an oral small-molecule inhibitor that selectively targets TYK2.
Can it be taken with food?
Yes. The tablet may be taken with or without food.
Can the tablet be crushed or split?
No. Swallow it whole without crushing, cutting or chewing.
Does deucravacitinib increase infection risk?
It may increase susceptibility to infection. Contact the clinical team if symptoms persist, worsen or do not respond to treatment.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.