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Apremilast (Otezla)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Apremilast

What it is

Apremilast is a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor: by blocking PDE4 inside immune cells it raises cyclic AMP, which turns down the production of inflammatory signals. It is taken as tablets for psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis and mouth ulcers in Behçet's disease. It is sold as Otezla.

How genes come into it

Apremilast is broken down mainly by CYP3A4. The gene studies on this page come from one study of people with psoriasis that looked at many genes, including PDE4B (part of its target), CYP3A4 and others, for who responded. The findings have not been confirmed, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Apremilast. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Response (10 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

CDKN2B, CDKN2B-AS1 rs1063192: Allele G is associated with increased clinical benefit to apremilast in people with Psoriasis as compared to allele A.

CYP3A4 rs35599367: Allele A is associated with increased clinical benefit to apremilast in people with Psoriasis as compared to allele G.

CYP3A4, TMEM130 rs1203844: Allele C is associated with increased clinical benefit to apremilast in people with Psoriasis as compared to allele T.

DOCK6 rs12979813: Allele G is associated with increased clinical benefit to apremilast in people with Psoriasis as compared to allele A.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Actonel (Bisphosphonates)

Advil (NSAIDs)

Aldara (Immune Response Modifiers)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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