Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. More common side effects include infection, acne, and mouth sores. If Sotyktu side effects become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor about coping tips or other treatment options.

Sotyktu comes as an oral tablet and is used in adults to treat plaque psoriasis.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Sotyktu can cause. To learn more about Sotyktu, including its uses, dosage, and cost, see this Sotyktu overview.

Sotyktu can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult for you to tolerate.

Examples of Sotyktu’s commonly reported side effects include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Side effect specifics.”

Mild side effects have been reported with Sotyktu. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking Sotyktu unless your doctor recommends it.

Sotyktu may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Side effect specifics.”

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Sotyktu may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Sotyktu’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Sotyktu, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Sotyktu include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Sotyktu and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Sotyktu can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They can determine whether you should continue Sotyktu treatment. They may also suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms, such as:

  • an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Sotyktu, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about Sotyktu’s side effects.

Do side effects of Sotyktu go away?

It’s possible for Sotyktu to cause long-term side effects. These include those that may start at any time you’re taking a drug, even if you’ve taken it for a long time. It also includes side effects that may not go away, even after you stop taking the drug. Examples of long-term side effects reported in Sotyktu’s studies include:

Some side effects of Sotyktu, such as mouth sores, go away over time. Others may require treatment. For example, infection symptoms may resolve with antibiotic treatment. Rhabdomyolysis, a condition causing severe muscle damage, is a side effect that may only go away if your doctor has you stop taking Sotyktu permanently or temporarily.

Do not stop taking Sotyktu if your side effects aren’t going away. If you’re concerned about the side effects you’re experiencing and how long they may last, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend tips to help manage side effects or suggest a different treatment option for your plaque psoriasis.

How do side effects of Sotyktu compare with those seen with Otezla?

Sotyktu and Otezla are both used to treat plaque psoriasis. But Otezla also treats psoriatic arthritis and mouth sores in people with a condition called Behcet disease.

Although both drugs may cause upper respiratory tract infections, Sotyktu and Otezla have mostly different side effects. When used to treat plaque psoriasis, Otezla may cause diarrhea, nausea, and headache. On the other hand, Sotyktu’s common side effects include infections, mouth sores, increased levels of creatine phosphokinase in the blood, and acne.

To learn more about how the side effects of Sotyktu and Otezla compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Sotyktu cause weight loss?

No, weight loss isn’t a reported side effect of Sotyktu. But if you have an infection, you may experience weight loss.

Sotyktu increases your chances of getting an infection and can make any infection you have worse. Depending on the type of infection, weight loss may be a symptom.

If you have an infection, tell your doctor before starting Sotyktu. If you have unexpected weight loss while taking this drug and think you have an infection, talk with your doctor.

Is Sotyktu bad for your liver?

It’s possible for Sotyktu to cause high levels of liver enzymes. This can be a sign of liver problems or liver damage, but liver damage wasn’t reported in Sotyktu’s studies.

Symptoms of liver injury may include:

  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
  • pale-colored stool
  • dark-colored urine
  • abdominal pain

If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Sotyktu, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects Sotyktu may cause.

Infection

Infection was a common side effect reported in studies of Sotyktu. This drug is an immunosuppressant, which reduces the strength of your immune system. A weakened immune system increases the risk of mild to severe infection. Infections reported with Sotyktu include:

Symptoms of an infection depend on the type of infection but may include:

Factors that can increase the risk of infection when taking this drug include:

  • having an active infection when starting Sotyktu
  • having a history of an inactive infection such as herpes or tuberculosis
  • receiving live vaccines

What you can do

If you have an infection before or during Sotyktu treatment, talk with your doctor. Resolving your infection may require additional prescription medications, such as antibiotics or an antiviral. You may need to wait for your infection to resolve before starting or restarting Sotyktu. Do not stop taking Sotyktu without your doctor’s recommendation.

Before prescribing Sotyktu, your doctor will test you for TB. If you test positive, you may only start Sotyktu after starting TB treatment.

If you need to receive a live vaccine, tell your doctor. Live vaccines contain parts of active viruses. These types of vaccines may cause an infection if you’re taking Sotyktu.

Mouth sores

In studies of Sotyktu, some people reported mouth sores. These included tongue sores, canker sores, and swelling and discoloration inside the mouth.

What you can do

A dental checkup before starting Sotyktu may help prevent or minimize mouth sores. Effective treatments for mouth sores are lacking. Certain mouth rinses and maintaining proper oral hygiene may help avoid this side effect.

Your dentist may recommend tips such as using a soft toothbrush or foam swab. Depending on the severity of the sores, they may also recommend baking soda, salt water, or antibiotic rinses.

If you’re concerned about mouth sores with Sotyktu, talk with your doctor or dentist.

Before taking Sotyktu, discuss your health history with your doctor. Sotyktu may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Like most drugs, Sotyktu can cause a number of side effects that range from mild to serious. However, most are temporary and go away after a few days to weeks. If you have questions about side effects that Sotyktu can cause, talk with your doctor.

Examples of questions to help get you started include:

  • Is my risk of developing cancer with Sotyktu higher if I have a history of breast cancer?
  • If I already have acne, will Sotykyu make it worse?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

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.