Deucravacitinib is a medicine used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who may benefit from treatment with a systemic medicine. It belongs to the group of medicines known as tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitors.
How does it work?
Deucravacitinib works by reducing the activity of certain proteins involved in the immune system’s inflammatory response.
It blocks a protein called TYK2, which is involved in signalling pathways linked to inflammation in psoriasis.
By blocking TYK2, deucravacitinib helps reduce the inflammation that causes psoriasis plaques.
What is it used for?
Deucravacitinib is used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are suitable for systemic treatment.
It may be offered when psoriasis is having a significant effect on the skin and quality of life, and when other treatments have not worked well enough, are not suitable or cannot be tolerated.
How does it work?
Deucravacitinib can reduce the redness, scaling and thickness of psoriasis plaques. It may also help improve the impact psoriasis has on everyday life and wellbeing.
Everyone responds differently. Your specialist will assess how well the treatment is working.
For psoriasis, the response is usually assessed after around 16 weeks. Treatment may be stopped if there has not been enough improvement.
How is it used?
Deucravacitinib is taken as a tablet.
The usual dose is:
- One 6 mg tablet once a day.
It can be taken with or without food.
Try to take it at around the same time each day. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not crush, split or chew it.
What are the possible side effects?
Like all medicines, deucravacitinib can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Possible side effects include:
- Colds and other upper respiratory tract infections.
- Cold sores.
- Feeling tired.
- Mouth ulcers.
- Inflammation of hair follicles, which may appear as small spots or bumps on the skin.
- Raised levels of certain blood tests, including creatine phosphokinase (CPK).
Because deucravacitinib affects the immune system, it may increase the risk of infections.
Tell your healthcare team if you develop an infection, particularly if you have a fever, a persistent cough or feel unusually unwell.
Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms that concern you or if side effects are persistent or severe.
Before starting deucravacitinib
Your specialist will check whether deucravacitinib is suitable for you before treatment begins.
Tell your healthcare team if you:
- Have an infection or frequently get infections.
- Have tuberculosis, or have been in contact with someone who has tuberculosis.
- Have or have previously had liver problems.
- Have recently had cancer or are being investigated for cancer.
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Are taking any other medicines, including medicines that affect the immune system.
- Are due to have any vaccinations.
Your healthcare team may arrange blood tests before and during treatment. These may include checks of your liver function, blood count and other relevant blood results.
Treatment may need to be delayed if you have an active infection.
Vaccinations
Speak to your healthcare team before having vaccinations while taking deucravacitinib.
Live vaccines should generally be avoided during treatment. Other vaccines, such as the seasonal flu vaccine, may usually be given.
Do not have a live vaccine without first discussing it with your specialist, nurse or pharmacist.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your specialist before starting or continuing deucravacitinib.
There is limited information about the use of deucravacitinib during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your healthcare team can discuss the possible benefits and risks with you.
Women who could become pregnant should discuss suitable contraception with their healthcare professional if advised.
How do I get deucravacitinib?
Deucravacitinib is a prescription-only medicine and should be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional experienced in treating psoriasis.
Marketed by
Deucravacitinib is known commercially as Sotyktu and is marketed in the UK by Bristol Myers Squibb.
Reviewed: September 2026
Version ID: 1/DEU/PST/09/26
