Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) is a prescription drug used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. Sotyktu can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include infection, acne, and mouth sores.

Sotyktu comes as an oral tablet. It contains the active ingredient deucravacitinib. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Sotyktu can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Sotyktu treatment. A few examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

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. And 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.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

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

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.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Sotyktu, visit MedWatch.

Get answers to some frequently 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:

  • tumors, such as lymphomas
  • increased liver enzymes
  • increased triglycerides

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.

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.

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 might help

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 might help

A dental checkup before starting Sotyktu may help prevent or minimize mouth sores. Effective treatments for mouth sores are lacking. Some interventions that may help include oral hygiene and certain mouth rinses.

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.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Sotyktu can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

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. Examples include:

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

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Sotyktu, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble 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.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Sotyktu 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 taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking 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

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

Below is important information you should consider before taking Sotyktu.

Warnings

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

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

  • a history of tuberculosis
  • an active infection
  • a history of long lasting infections
  • liver disease
  • a history of herpes infection
  • previous allergic reaction to Sotyktu
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Alcohol and Sotyktu

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Sotyktu. If you have questions about consuming alcohol while taking Sotyktu, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Sotyktu

There is limited information about the safety of Sotyktu use during pregnancy.

Pregnancy

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Sotyktu during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with this drug.

If you take Sotyktu while you’re pregnant, consider reporting it to the Bristol Myers Squibb’s Adverse Event reporting line at 800-721-5072. This reporting line collects information about the safety of certain drugs when taken during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

It isn’t known whether Sotyktu is safe to take while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.

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?
  • Where can I report side effects in my child who is breastfed?

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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.