5 Vtama Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Vtama (tapinarof) is a topical cream that’s FDA approved for plaque psoriasis in adults. It’s a once-daily, nonsteroidal medication that helps lessen psoriasis symptoms. Some people are able to achieve clear skin with Vtama.

Vtama isn’t a steroid, and it can be used on sensitive areas, such as your face, neck, and groin. But even though it’s applied to the skin, side effects are possible. Here, we’ll look at five Vtama side effects and how to manage them.

1. Inflamed hair follicles

The most common Vtama side effect is inflamed hair follicles (folliculitis) where the cream is applied. Symptoms include small red bumps or pimples around hair follicles, which can be sore or itchy. During initial clinical trials, most cases of folliculitis were of mild-to-moderate severity and occurred within the first 30 days of starting Vtama.

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If you develop folliculitis, it’s a good idea to keep that area of skin clean and dry to help prevent irritation from getting worse. You’ll also want to avoid shaving or plucking the area. Applying a warm compress for 15 minutes several times a day can also help with redness, pain, and itching. Avoid tight clothing that can chafe or irritate the skin. While tempting, try not to scratch the affected areas.

For most people, folliculitis usually gets better with home care. But if it doesn’t improve or if it gets worse, contact your dermatologist. In some cases, they may have you temporarily stop Vtama until your symptoms resolve.

2. Cold and flu symptoms

Cold and flu-like symptoms are another possible Vtama side effect. You may feel under the weather and have symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, cough, or fatigue. Infections such as the common cold, sinus infections, and the flu have been reported with Vtama.

Getting enough rest and staying hydrated may help combat fatigue. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help manage your symptoms, too. But if your symptoms persist, get worse, or become severe, contact your healthcare team. You may have an infection that requires treatment.

3. Contact dermatitis

Another possible Vtama side effect is contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is an allergic skin reaction. Symptoms include redness, swelling, or a rash at the site of application. The rash is often itchy. Similar to folliculitis, contact dermatitis cases were usually of mild-to-moderate severity and occurred within the first 1 to 2 months of treatment.

Contact dermatitis can happen shortly after starting Vtama, or after repeated use. If you notice irritation or swelling develop, contact your dermatologist. They may have you temporarily stop Vtama until your symptoms resolve. Home care remedies, such as a cold compress and OTC medications, can also help provide relief. If you continue to have this reaction after continued use, your dermatologist may recommend switching to a different medication.

4. Itching

Itching, whether it’s from folliculitis, contact dermatitis, or just general itchiness, has also been reported with Vtama. As mentioned above, try to avoid scratching the itchy area since this can cause breaks in the skin and possibly an infection.

To relieve itching, use only gentle cleansers and avoid harsh soaps or detergents. The National Psoriasis Foundation has a list of products meant to be safe for people living with psoriasis.

It’s also a good idea to moisturize regularly, typically several times per day. Good times to moisturize include right after applying Vtama and right after a shower or bath. OTC antihistamines can also help relieve symptoms of itchiness, but talk to your prescriber or pharmacist before taking them.

If the itching is severe or doesn’t go away, contact your dermatologist. It’s possible you have contact dermatitis, discussed above, rather than just itchy skin.

5. Headache

Since Vtama is a cream, you may be surprised to learn that headache is also a possible side effect. A small percentage of people in clinical trials reported headaches, including migraines and tension headaches, while using Vtama.

If you get an occasional headache, check with your pharmacist. They may be able to recommend an OTC pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). But some people may experience more persistent or painful headaches that make Vtama difficult to tolerate. In this case, reach out to your dermatologist for next steps.

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Written by:

Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA

Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA, has been a pharmacist for 12 years. His first job was floating in a community chain 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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