| Psoriasis vulgaris
Otezla vs Vtama
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for psoriasis vulgaris.Deep comparison between: Otezla vs Vtama with Prescriber.AI
AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.Safety signalsVtama has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Otezla based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Vtama but not Otezla, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Otezla
Vtama
At A Glance
Oral
Once or twice daily
PDE4 inhibitor
Topical
Daily
AhR agonist
Indications
- Arthritis, Psoriatic
- Psoriasis vulgaris
- Behcet Syndrome
- Psoriasis vulgaris
- Dermatitis, Atopic
Dosing
Arthritis, Psoriatic, Psoriasis vulgaris, Behcet Syndrome Adults: OTEZLA 30 mg twice daily or OTEZLA XR 75 mg once daily orally after 5-day titration starting at 10 mg; reduce to 30 mg once daily in severe renal impairment (OTEZLA XR not recommended in severe renal impairment).
Arthritis, Psoriatic, Psoriasis vulgaris (pediatric >=6 years) Weighing >=50 kg: OTEZLA 30 mg twice daily or OTEZLA XR 75 mg once daily orally after weight-based titration; weighing 20 to <50 kg: OTEZLA 20 mg twice daily orally; reduce to once daily dosing in severe renal impairment.
Psoriasis vulgaris, Dermatitis, Atopic Apply a thin layer to affected areas once daily; wash hands after application unless VTAMA cream is for treatment of the hands; not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to apremilast or to any of the excipients in the formulation
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Adverse Reactions
Most common (>=2%) Diarrhea, nausea, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, vomiting, abdominal pain upper, nasopharyngitis
Serious Hypersensitivity, depression, weight decrease, severe worsening of psoriasis (rebound)
Most common (>=1%) - Plaque Psoriasis Folliculitis, nasopharyngitis, contact dermatitis, headache, pruritus, influenza
Most common (>=1%) - Atopic Dermatitis Upper respiratory tract infection, folliculitis, lower respiratory tract infection, headache, asthma, vomiting, ear infection, pain in extremity, abdominal pain
Pharmacology
Apremilast is an oral small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) specific for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP); PDE4 inhibition increases intracellular cAMP levels and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-17, IL-22, and TNF-alpha in blood and skin.
Tapinarof is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist; the specific mechanisms by which VTAMA cream exerts its therapeutic actions in plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are unknown.
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Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Otezla
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (12/12) · Step Therapy (12/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
Vtama
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (10/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Otezla
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (8/8) · Step Therapy (2/8) · Qty limit (8/8)
Vtama
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (5/8) · Step Therapy (4/8) · Qty limit (4/8)
Humana
Otezla
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (3/3)
Vtama
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (3/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
Cost estimate not availableAmgen Safety Net Foundation: Otezla
Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
Cost estimate not availableAssistance Fund: Psoriasis
Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
Final cost depends on formulary coverage
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Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.