How Long Does Vtama Take to Work for Plaque Psoriasis? Plus, 6 Other FAQs

Before the FDA approved Vtama (tapinarof) in 2022, there hadn’t been a new topical treatment with a unique chemical structure for plaque psoriasis in 25 years. Here, we will look at how Vtama works and compares with other options.

A common question is how long it takes Vtama to work. And you may want to know how long you’ll need to apply Vtama, since many topical treatments have a limited duration of use because of side effects. We answer these questions and more below.

1. What is Vtama cream used for?

Vtama is a topical treatment for plaque psoriasis in adults. It is one of the newest plaque psoriasis medications, and it can be used for mild, moderate, or severe cases. Vtama comes as a topical cream that’s applied to affected areas of skin once daily.

In addition to plaque psoriasis, Vtama is being studied to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema) in adults and children ages 2 and older.

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2. Is Vtama a steroid?

No. Unlike many other topical plaque psoriasis treatments, Vtama is not a steroid.

Instead, Vtama is considered an aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist. Researchers don’t fully understand how it works for plaque psoriasis. But Vtama appears to help lessen skin inflammation and slow the rapid buildup of skin cells.

Why is having steroid-free options important? Topical steroids can cause skin thinning and other rare but serious effects, especially with long-term use or when they’re applied to large areas of thin skin. Topical steroids can also cause topical steroid withdrawal after you stop using them. This can cause symptoms such as skin inflammation, itching, and flaking.

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3. How long does Vtama take to work?

Vtama starts working after you apply it, but you may not notice a difference in your skin right away. Some people report reduced itching within the first week. And you may start to see improvements in your psoriasis within several weeks of treatment.

4. How effective is Vtama?

Vtama doesn’t work for everyone, and people can respond differently to treatment. About 40% of people during initial clinical trials reported clear or almost-clear skin after 12 weeks of applying Vtama. And during a 1-year safety and efficacy trial, almost 60% of people starting with mild to severe plaque psoriasis achieved clear or almost-clear skin.

5. How long can you use Vtama cream?

How long you’ll use Vtama depends on how you respond to treatment. If your skin is clear after 12 weeks of use, you may be told to stop Vtama. And if your psoriasis symptoms come back, you may be instructed to apply Vtama until your skin clears up again.

During clinical trials, people who achieved clear skin with Vtama were able to maintain this result for an average of 4 months after stopping the medication. Some people whose skin cleared up didn’t need to restart Vtama during the study period, while others required intermittent (occasional) or continual treatment.

Your prescriber will determine how long you should take Vtama. They can tailor your treatment based on your individual response and needs.

6. How long does a tube of Vtama last?

It depends. Vtama is available as a 60 gram tube. How long your Vtama tube lasts will depend on what areas of skin you need to apply it to. Vtama should be applied externally only to psoriasis skin lesions, not unaffected skin.

Remember to protect your Vtama tube from temperature extremes. It should be stored at room temperature, which is 68°F to 77°F.

7. Is Vtama a biologic?

No. Vtama is not one of the biologic medications used for psoriasis.

Biologics are medications that come from living sources. They’re usually given as injections, either subcutaneous (under the skin) or intravenous (into the vein). Vtama is a chemical-based medication that’s made by mixing powders and liquids into a base to create a cream.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Brian Leonard, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP

Brian Leonard earned his doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and is board certified in Ambulatory Care and Geriatric Pharmacy.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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