Rinvoq vs. Otezla

Rinvoq (upadacitinib) and Otezla (apremilast) are used to treat different forms of arthritis.

Rinvoq is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate.

Otezla is used to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis.

Rinvoq and Otezla belong to different drug classes. Rinvoq is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor and Otezla is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor.

Side effects of Rinvoq and Otezla that are similar include upper respiratory tract infections, nausea, and cough.

Side effects of Rinvoq that are different from Otezla include fever.

Side effects of Otezla that are different from Rinvoq include diarrhea, headache, runny or stuffy nose, abdominal pain, fatigue, indigestion/heartburn, decreased appetite, insomnia, back pain, frequent bowel movements, depression, bronchitis, tooth abscess, sinus headache, hypersensitivity, weight loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), migraine, and rash.

Both Rinvoq and Otezla may interact with strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin).

Rinvoq may also interact with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole) and live vaccines.

Common side effects of Rinvoq include:

• upper respiratory tract infections,
• nausea,
• cough, and
• fever

Common side effects of Otezla include:

• diarrhea,
• headache,
• nausea,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• vomiting,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• abdominal pain,
• fatigue,
• indigestion/heartburn,
• decreased appetite,
• insomnia,
• back pain,
• frequent bowel movements,
• depression,
• bronchitis,
• tooth abscess, and
• sinus headache.

Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate.

Otezla (apremilast) is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor used to treat adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

Rinvoq may interact with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole), strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin), and live vaccines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Rinvoq is not recommended for use during pregnancy; it may harm a fetus. Females of reproductive potential are advised to use effective contraception during treatment with Rinvoq and for 4 weeks following completion of therapy. It is unknown if Rinvoq passes into breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Rinvoq, and for 6 days after the last dose.

Otezla may interact with CYP450 inducers (such as rifampin).

The recommended dose of Rinvoq is 15 mg once daily. Rinvoq may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or other nonbiologic DMARDs.

The recommended maintenance dosage is 30 mg twice daily taken orally starting on Day 6, after 5 days of an initial schedule of titration dosing.