Vtama (tapinarof) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat plaque psoriasis. Vtama comes as a topical cream that’s applied to your skin.

Vtama basics

If you’re an adult with plaque psoriasis, your doctor may consider prescribing Vtama for you.

Vtama contains the active ingredient* tapinarof. It’s available as a topical cream. This means it’s a cream that’s applied to your skin. You apply the cream to the psoriasis plaques (the raised patches of thick, inflamed skin).

Vtama belongs to a group of drugs called aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists. These drugs likely work by decreasing inflammation (swelling and damage) and slowing down how quickly your body makes new skin cells.

Vtama is a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in a generic form.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Like most drugs, Vtama cream may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Vtama may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Vtama. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Vtama can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Vtama’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Vtama that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects weren’t reported in studies of people using Vtama. But it’s still possible that serious side effects, such as severe allergic reaction* can occur.

If you have concerns about serious side effects occurring while you’re using Vtama, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Vtama. Allergic reactions happened only rarely in studies of Vtama.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Vtama. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Vtama is used in adults with plaque psoriasis. This condition occurs when your body’s own immune system attacks your skin and causes thick, itchy patches (called plaques) to appear.

Psoriasis plaques can appear anywhere but are most common on the elbows, knees, and scalp.

At this time, it’s not known exactly how Vtama works to treat plaque psoriasis. But the drug likely works by decreasing inflammation (swelling and damage) and slowing down how fast your body makes new skin cells.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You may also be eligible for savings with the MyVtama savings card offered by the drug’s manufacturer.

You can check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Vtama.

Is Vtama similar to Zoryve?

Both Vtama and Zoryve are creams used for plaque psoriasis. They’re each applied to the affected areas of the skin once per day.

But these drugs work in different ways to treat plaque psoriasis, so they may have different side effects. For example, Zoryve may cause diarrhea or insomnia (trouble sleeping), but Vtama isn’t known to cause these side effects. And while Vtama may increase your risk of having the flu or red raised bumps around hair pores, Zoryve isn’t known to cause these side effects.

In addition, Vtama is only used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. But Zoryve can be used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults and in children ages 12 years and older.

So although these medications are both creams that treat the same condition, they have differences as well. Your doctor can help determine the best treatment option for you.

Can Vtama be used for eczema?

Vtama isn’t currently used to treat eczema. At this time, the drug is only used to treat plaque psoriasis.

Eczema is also a skin condition that causes itching and dryness of the skin. But Eczema and plaque psoriasis are different conditions and are treated in different ways. Your doctor can determine whether you have plaque psoriasis or eczema and recommend the best treatment plan for you.

How does Vtama work?

At this time, it’s not known exactly how Vtama works to treat plaque psoriasis. But the drug likely works by decreasing inflammation (swelling and damage) and slowing down how fast your body makes new skin cells.

Plaque psoriasis occurs when your body’s own immune system attacks your skin. This causes inflammation and thick, itchy patches called plaques to appear on the skin. Vtama helps to stop this process.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Vtama that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strength

Vtama is available as a topical cream. This means it’s a cream that’s applied to your skin.

It’s available in a strength of 1%. Each gram of Vtama cream contains 10 milligrams (mg) of the active ingredient, tapinarof. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Recommended dosage

Before prescribing Vtama, your doctor will recommend the best dosage for you. You should only use Vtama on the areas of your skin that are affected by plaque psoriasis.

The usual recommended dosage is to apply a thin layer of the Vtama cream to the affected skin once per day. Do not use Vtama in the mouth, eyes, or vagina.

After using Vtama, be sure to wash your hands (unless you’re using Vtama to treat symptoms on your hands).

Questions about Vtama’s dosing

Below are some common questions about Vtama’s dosing.

  • What if I miss a dose of Vtama? If you miss your dose of Vtama, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They’ll likely recommend that you apply your missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, they may recommend skipping your missed dose and continuing with your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. If you miss a dose and have questions about when to take your next dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Will I need to use Vtama long term? In some cases, your doctor may recommend using Vtama long term. But it’s possible that you may use Vtama for 12 weeks only. If your symptoms improve after 12 weeks of treatment, your doctor may recommend stopping Vtama. But it’s possible for plaque psoriasis symptoms to come back after stopping treatment. If this happens, your doctor may recommend restarting treatment with Vtama. Your doctor will monitor you throughout your treatment and determine how long you should use Vtama based on your condition.
  • How long does Vtama take to work? Vtama begins to work as soon as you apply your first dose of medication. But it may take up to 12 weeks for your symptoms to ease. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about how long it may take for your skin to respond to Vtama.

Your doctor will explain how you should use Vtama. They’ll also explain how much to use and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Applying Vtama

Vtama is available as a topical cream that’s applied to the affected areas of your skin. You should only use Vtama on the areas of your skin that are affected by plaque psoriasis.

Be sure to not use Vtama in the mouth, eyes, or vagina. After using Vtama, wash your hands (unless you’re using Vtama to treat plaques on your hands). If someone else applies Vtama to your skin, they should wash their hands after applying the cream.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Applying Vtama with other drugs

If you have mild symptoms of plaque psoriasis, your doctor may recommend using Vtama alone to treat your condition. But if your plaque psoriasis is more severe, your doctor may recommend using it with other medications. These other medications come in several kinds of forms, including:

If you’re prescribed another topical treatment, your doctor will likely recommend that you apply the two treatments to your skin at different times. This will give each medication time to work.

Your doctor can help determine if you may need more than one medication to treat your plaque psoriasis. If you have questions or concerns about using Vtama with other medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Vtama isn’t known to interact with other medications. But before starting Vtama, it’s still important that you tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any possible interactions with Vtama.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Currently, no medications or supplements are known to interact with Vtama. But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with Vtama won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new medications may be approved that interact with Vtama.

For this reason, you should still tell your doctor and pharmacist about any medications you take besides Vtama. This way, they can check for any new interactions during your treatment.

Other interactions

In some cases, your doctor may recommend using other topical creams or ointments with Vtama to treat your plaque psoriasis. In this case, they’ll likely recommend spacing out when you apply Vtama from when you apply your other cream or ointment. This way, each medication can have time to work.

If you have additional questions about when you should apply your medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings

Vtama can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you begin using Vtama.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Vtama or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Vtama. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Vtama and alcohol

There’s no known interaction between Vtama and alcohol. But alcohol may make your plaque psoriasis worse. Because of this, your doctor may recommend that you limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much (if any) alcohol may be safe to consume with your condition and treatment plan.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

At this time, it’s not known if Vtama is safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor. They can discuss the possible risks and benefits of Vtama with you.

Do not use more Vtama than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you take too much Vtama

Call your doctor if you think you’ve used too much Vtama. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you have questions about taking Vtama, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Questions you may want to ask include:

  • Can I use Vtama more often if it’s not treating my symptoms?
  • If I’m having side effects from Vtama, what should I do?
  • How should I use Vtama with my other plaque psoriasis medications?
  • What should I do if I become pregnant during my treatment with Vtama?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.