Vtama (tapinarof) is a prescription cream used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. Vtama can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include swollen hair follicles (pores), skin rash, and itchiness.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Vtama treatment. The following side effects were commonly reported in studies:

  • discolored and swollen hair follicles (pores)*
  • inflammation of the nose and throat
  • skin rash or irritation, including peeling, burning, or stinging where cream is applied
  • headache
  • itchiness
  • flu or flu-like symptoms*

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

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

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. But if you have ongoing or bothersome symptoms, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop Vtama treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Vtama 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.
† An allergic reaction is possible after applying Vtama, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

There were no serious side effects reported in Vtama’s studies. But serious side effects, such as severe allergic reaction*† could still happen.

If you develop serious side effects with Vtama, 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.
† An allergic reaction is possible after applying Vtama, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

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 Vtama, visit MedWatch.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Vtama’s side effects.

How do side effects of Vtama compare with those of Zoryve?

Even though both Vtama and Zoryve treat plaque psoriasis, they work differently. Their common side effects are compared below:

  • Zoryve: upset stomach, difficulty sleeping, bladder infection
  • Vtama: skin rash, itchiness, and bumps
  • Zoryve and Vtama: headaches, cold symptoms, or flu symptoms

In addition, Zoryve is not recommended for people with moderate to severe liver problems.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about Vtama or Zoryve. They can help you decide which treatment option is better for you.

Does Vtama cause long-term side effects?

Long-term side effects weren’t reported in 1-year studies of Vtama. More studies are needed to evaluate the safety of Vtama treatment for extended periods. If you’re concerned about possible long-term side effects from this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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

Discolored and swollen hair follicles (pores)

Folliculitis (discolored and swollen hair follicles) was a common side effect reported in studies of Vtama. Folliculitis may cause symptoms such as:

  • “razor burn”-type pain
  • pus-filled follicles
  • discolored, raised areas around hair follicles
  • area feeling warm to the touch

Factors that can increase the risk of folliculitis during treatment with this drug include:

  • getting overheated
  • shaving the application area
  • wearing tight clothing over the application area

Additional risk factors for folliculitis include diabetes, obesity, a weak immune system, or long-term antibiotic treatment.

What might help

If you develop folliculitis during Vtama treatment, keep the area clean and dry and wear loose clothing. You can use a cool compress or soak the area in lukewarm water with some Epsom salts to reduce swelling. Watch the area for signs of infection, such as fever, pus-filled follicles, discolored streaks, and the area feeling warm to the touch.

If you develop signs of infection, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend an urgent medical evaluation.

Flu or flu-like symptoms

Flu was a common side effect* reported in studies of Vtama. Flu may cause symptoms such as:

  • fever or chills
  • runny nose
  • sinus congestion
  • cough
  • body aches
  • fatigue (low energy)
  • sore throat

Factors that can increase the risk of flu or flu-like symptoms during treatment with this drug include:

  • being an older adult (age 65 years or older)
  • having chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease

* Vtama itself won’t cause the flu, which is caused by a virus. But treatment with this medication may increase your risk of getting the flu.

What might help

If you have flu symptoms during Vtama treatment, consider increasing your fluid intake and getting more rest. Over-the-counter medications may help relieve your symptoms. These include:

Ask your pharmacist to help you choose the best products and follow the drugs’ package instructions.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or you develop a fever. They’ll likely recommend a medical evaluation.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Vtama can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies. 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 Vtama, they’ll decide whether you should continue treatment with it.

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 Vtama, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Vtama 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 applying 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 Vtama affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before starting Vtama.

Alcohol and Vtama

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Vtama. However, if you drink alcohol, your doctor might suggest you cut down since it can make plaque psoriasis more severe.

If you’re concerned about alcohol consumption during treatment with this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you how much, if any, is safe for you to drink.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Vtama

There’s limited information about the safety of Vtama treatment during pregnancy.

Pregnancy

There isn’t enough study information to know if applying Vtama cream during pregnancy can increase the risk of the following:

  • problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects)
  • pregnancy loss
  • other problems for the pregnant person or fetus

If you’re pregnant or considering becoming pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting Vtama treatment. They can help you decide whether this drug is safe for you to apply during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Vtama is safe to apply while breastfeeding. There’s no study information on whether the drug affects milk production, passes into breast milk, or affects a child who’s breastfed.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.

Like most drugs, Vtama can cause side effects. But most of these are mild and temporary. If you have questions about side effects this drug can cause, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions to help get you started include:

  • How long does it take most of Vtama’s side effects to go away?
  • How should I manage side effects if they occur?
  • Are there specific signs or side effects of Vtama that indicate I need to contact you immediately?

To learn more about Vtama, see these articles:

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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.