Deucravacitinib (also referred to by its brand name, Sotyktu) is a medication that is used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis.
Psoriasis symptoms are caused by an overactive immune system, which causes inflammation and too many inflammatory signals being sent. Deucravacitinib blocks the activity of an enzyme called TYK2 which is involved in inflammation. Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions, and by reducing the activity of this enzyme, Deucravacitinib can control the inflammation associated with psoriasis. This means that Deucravacitinib can reduce symptoms of psoriasis.
Deucravacitinib is for adults with moderate to severe psoriasis who have not responded well or cannot tolerate other systemic treatments such as methotrexate, ciclosporin, or phototherapy (PUVA or Narrowband UVB). To be offered Deucravacitinib you will usually need to have tried the treatments mentioned above first. If you have tried these treatments and they have not worked, Deucravacitinib might be a good option for you. Deucravacitinib can only be prescribed by a dermatologist.
Deucravacitinib is a tablet that should be taken once a day, orally. The tablet can be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole and not crushed, cut or chewed. People taking Deucravacitinib may require regular blood tests every three to six months to monitor for infections or other possible effects of the treatment. These are usually carried out by a dermatology nurse or by your GP.
The blood tests will examine your blood count, kidney and liver function. Before starting Deucravacitinib, your cholesterol and triglyceride (a type of fat in your blood) levels will be checked.Who should not take Deucravacitinib?
Can I have immunisations (vaccinations) whilst on Deucravacitinib?
‘Live’ vaccines such as the nasal flu vaccine should not be taken before or whilst on Deucravacitinib. The COVID-19 vaccines/booster jabs, the injectable flu vaccine and pneumococcal pneumonia are okay to take before/whilst on Deucravacitinib.
Check with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, if you are taking any other medications or before getting any other vaccinations and let them know you are on Deucravacitinib.
How long will Deucravacitinib take to work?
For some people Deucravacitinib will start working as quickly as a few weeks. For others, the improvement may happen gradually over time in the first 6 months.
Your response to the treatment will be reviewed 16 and 24 weeks after starting Deucravacitinib. If an improvement is not seen in 24 weeks, it's likely Deucravacitinib will be stopped and you may start an alternative treatment.
Considerations when taking Deucravacitinib
Unlike other treatments such as methotrexate or acitretin, there is no need to limit alcohol use when taking Deucravacitinib. However, it is sensible to follow current NHS Guidance on safe alcohol limits.
You should let your GP know you are taking Deucravacitinib, as it may interact with other medications and supplements.
It is not recommended to take other medications that suppress the immune system alongside Deucravacitinib.
Deucravacitinib is a new medication that was approved for use via the NHS to treat psoriasis in England and Wales in June 2023 and Scotland in December 2023. ‘Real-world’ (i.e. non-clinical trial) safety and effectiveness data is being collected by a long-running study, the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register (BADBIR).
It is recommended that all people taking biologic or small molecule treatments for their psoriasis should be asked for their information to be included in this register. For more information on BADBIR, please visit the website: www.badbir.org.
The information on this page is also available in our Deucravacitinib information sheet.
March 2025 (Review Date: March 2028)