Vtama
Vtama (tapinarof) is a topical cream that's used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. It can also treat eczema (atopic dermatitis) in people 2 years of age and older. Unlike other topical treatments for skin conditions, Vtama (tapinarof) isn't a steroid. Instead, it's an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist. It's thought to boost the activity of AhR, leading to less inflammation in the skin cells and healthier skin. Vtama (tapinarof) is applied to the affected areas once daily. But it can cause side effects on the skin like irritated hair follicles or a rash.
What is Vtama (tapinarof)?
What is Vtama (tapinarof) used for?
- Plaque psoriasis in adults
- Eczema in adults and children age 2 and older
How Vtama (tapinarof) works
Vtama (tapinarof) is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist. The exact way that the medication treats plaque psoriasis and eczema isn't known. But it's thought to boost the activity of AhR. AhR is an important protein that keeps your skin healthy and protects you from harmful substances in the environment. This could help lessen skin inflammation and improve skin health.
Drug facts
Side effects of Vtama (tapinarof)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Plaque psoriasis:
- Red, raised bumps around the hair pores (20%)
- Symptoms of the common cold (11%)
- Rash (7%)
Eczema:
- Upper respiratory tract infection (12%)
- Red, raised bumps around the hair pores (9%)
- Lower respiratory tract infection (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
Plaque psoriasis:
- Headache
- Itching
- Flu-like symptoms
Eczema:
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Ear infection
- Pain in the arms and legs
- Stomach pain
More on Vtama (tapinarof) side effects
The following Vtama (tapinarof) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Headache
- Irritation at application site
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Small, red, pus-filled bumps on skin around hair follicles
- Sore throat
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Pros and cons of Vtama (tapinarof)
Pros
- Only applied onto the affected areas once daily
- Can apply to sensitive areas, including the face and skin folds
- A different kind of medication that isn't a steroid
Cons
- Can cause side effects on the skin, like red bumps and itchy rash
- Not FDA approved for all types of inflammatory skin conditions
- Not known whether it's safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding
Pharmacist tips for Vtama (tapinarof)
- Only apply Vtama (tapinarof) to the affected areas of the skin. Don't put the cream anywhere else on the body, such as in the mouth, eyes, or vagina, because it could cause irritation.
- Make sure to apply just a thin layer of Vtama (tapinarof) to the affected areas of skin.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after you apply Vtama (tapinarof), unless you're treating plaque psoriasis or eczema that's on your hands. If someone else helps you apply the cream, they should wash their hands too.
- Vtama (tapinarof) can cause skin reactions where it's applied. Let your prescriber know if you experience irritation, itching, redness, burning, pain, or changes in skin color where you applied the cream.
- Keep Vtama (tapinarof) at room temperature (between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). It's okay if it goes slightly above or below the recommended range for a little while. But be sure to protect your medication from freezing or extreme heat.
More on Vtama (tapinarof) tips
Common questions about Vtama
No, Vtama isn't a steroid. Vtama is a steroid-free option for people with inflammatory skin conditions who want to avoid using topical steroids. Ask your prescriber if Vtama is a good choice for you.
No, Vtama isn't a biologic. Biologics are medications that come from living sources and are typically given as injections. Vtama is a chemical-based cream.
If your plaque psoriasis or eczema affects your face, you can use Vtama on your face. Make sure to apply the cream as a thin layer only to the areas of the face that are affected by the skin condition though. Wash your hands after you apply Vtama so that the medication doesn't accidentally get onto other places.
Apply Vtama as a thin layer onto the skin that's affected by plaque psoriasis or eczema. If affected, this can include the face or other sensitive areas like skin folds, the neck, and underarms. But avoid getting the medication into your eyes, mouth, or vagina because it can cause irritation. Wash your hands after applying Vtama (unless you're treating the skin condition on your hands) so that you don't accidentally get the medication onto other places.
Apply Vtama onto the affected areas of skin just once daily. Using the cream more than once daily can lead to skin irritation or other harmful effects.
In clinical studies for plaque psoriasis, some people saw that their skin cleared up either completely or almost completely within a few weeks of using Vtama. But it could take a few months for the medication to work fully for others. And in clinical studies for eczema, some people noted improvement in their symptoms after 8 weeks of using Vtama. If you aren't seeing a difference in your skin after using Vtama as directed, speak with your dermatologist or prescriber.
Vtama and Zoryve (roflumilast) are both steroid-free creams that you use once a day for treating eczema and plaque psoriasis. But there are some key differences. Zoryve can treat both conditions in people 6 years and older. But Vtama is approved to treat plaque psoriasis in adults only and eczema in people 2 years and older. These medications also work in different ways to lessen skin inflammation. Talk to your prescriber or dermatologist to learn more about the differences and see which one is right for you.
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Vtama (tapinarof) dosage
Tube of cream| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60g of 1% | 1 tube | $1,450.00 | $1,450.00 |
Typical dosage for Vtama (tapinarof)
The typical dose is to apply a thin layer of the cream to the affected areas of skin once daily.
How much does Vtama (tapinarof) cost?
$1,450.00
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