Key Takeaways

  • Mild headache is a common side effect of Zoryve cream and Zoryve foam when used for any of its FDA-approved conditions. Some people experience application site pain with Zoryve cream used for plaque psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. Most mild side effects are temporary.
  • The more common side effects of Zoryve foam used for seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) treatment include nausea, headache, and nasopharyngitis (the common cold).
  • Zoryve cream and Zoryve foam have no known serious side effects.

Doctors prescribe the various forms of Zoryve to treat various conditions, as follows:

  • Zoryve cream 0.3%:
    • plaque psoriasis (including areas that have produced inflammation from skin chafing) in people ages 6 years and older
  • Zoryve cream 0.15%:
  • Zoryve foam 0.3%:
    • seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) in people ages 9 years and older
    • plaque psoriasis of the scalp and body in people ages 12 years and older

The active ingredient in Zoryve is roflumilast. The drug comes as both a topical cream and a foam. Both are applied to the affected area. For example, when used for plaque psoriasis, Zoryve cream can be applied directly to skin patches or plaques. These plaques are commonly located on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Zoryve can cause.

Side effects of Zoryve cream and Zoryve foam can vary depending on the drug’s form and the condition it’s treating.

More common side effects reported in studies by people using Zoryve cream for plaque psoriasis include:

More common side effects reported in studies by people using Zoryve cream for atopic dermatitis include:

  • headache
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • application site pain

More common side effects reported in studies by people using Zoryve foam for seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

Zoryve may cause mild side effects, some of which are listed here. See the prescribing information for Zoryve cream and Zoryve foam for details and other side effects.

Mild side effects have been reported with Zoryve cream for plaque psoriasis, including:

Mild side effects have been reported with Zoryve cream for atopic dermatitis, including:

  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • application site pain
  • insomnia

Mild side effects have been reported with Zoryve foam for seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff), including:

  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • headache
  • nasopharyngitis
  • insomnia

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

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

Zoryve cream and Zoryve foam have no known serious side effects. But it’s possible for Zoryve to cause serious side effects, such as allergic reaction.

If you think you’ve developed serious side effects while using Zoryve, 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 call your local emergency number right away.

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 medication safer for everyone. It gives doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Zoryve, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Zoryve may cause an allergic reaction. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Zoryve cream or Zoryve foam but still could occur with Zoryve treatment.

What might help

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

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

Your doctor can confirm whether you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Zoryve. If you have, they may switch you to a different treatment.

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

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

UTI was a mild side effect reported in studies of Zoryve cream when used for plaque psoriasis. UTI may cause symptoms such as:

What might help

If you experience any of the symptoms listed here while using Zoryve cream, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll order a urine test to confirm the infection and check for the presence of bacteria or fungi. If you do have an infection, they’ll prescribe either antibiotics or antifungals to treat it.

Headache

Headache was a mild side effect reported in studies of Zoryve cream and Zoryve foam. Headache may cause symptoms such as:

  • slow onset of head pain
  • head pain described as throbbing, dull, or sharp

What might help

If you have headache during Zoryve treatment, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely recommend taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) to help reduce the pain.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Zoryve treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start a new drug or combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were using when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Zoryve affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Is Zoryve a steroid?

No, neither Zoryve cream nor Zoryve foam is a steroid. Both forms of this medication belong to the drug group phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors (blockers).

Does Zoryve cause hair loss?

No, Zoryve cream and Zoryve foam are not known to cause hair loss.

Zoryve can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors also may affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Zoryve. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

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.