Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a long-lasting condition that affects the joints in people who have a skin condition called psoriasis. When you have PsA, your immune system mistakenly attacks your own joints and surrounding tissues. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and tiredness. You may also have redness or discoloration and swelling in the fingers or toes.
Several medicines are available to treat psoriatic arthritis. One option is Sotyktu (deucravacitinib), an oral tablet that helps control inflammation.
The FDA first approved Sotyktu for plaque psoriasis in 2022. In March 2026, the FDA also approved Sotyktu for active psoriatic arthritis. Active means that the condition is causing symptoms, such as swollen or tender joints. A health care provider can help decide if Sotyktu may be right for you.
How Does Sotyktu Work for Psoriatic Arthritis?
Sotyktu belongs to a class of medicines called tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors. These medicines help lower inflammation caused by an overactive immune system.
More specifically, Sotyktu works by targeting a protein in the immune system called TYK2. TYK2 is part of a group of proteins called Janus kinases (JAKs), which help send signals that trigger inflammation in the body.
Sotyktu binds to TYK2 and blocks its activity. This reduces signals that normally activate certain immune pathways. As a result, the immune system releases fewer inflammatory substances.
Lower inflammation may help improve symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, such as joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Although Sotyktu helps control symptoms, it does not cure psoriatic arthritis.
How Do I Take Sotyktu for Psoriatic Arthritis?
Sotyktu comes as a tablet that you can swallow whole. The typical dosage for adults is 6 milligrams (mg) once daily. You can take Sotyktu with or without food.
If you have questions about how to take Sotyktu, contact your health care provider for guidance.
How Was Sotyktu Studied for Psoriatic Arthritis?
Two clinical studies were done to test how well Sotyktu works and how safe it is for treating psoriatic arthritis in adults.
The studies included a total of 1,294 adults aged 18 or older who had active psoriatic arthritis. To qualify, people had to have active PsA for at least three months, including three or more swollen joints, three or more tender joints, and a certain test result (C-reactive protein) showing inflammation in the blood, and current or past plaque psoriasis. In the first study (PsA-1), participants also had to show at least one area of bone damage (erosion) on an X-ray of the hands or feet.
Across both studies, the participants’ average age was 51 years. About half were men, and half were women. Most of the participants were White (78%), 11% were Asian, and 0.4% were Black; 23% identified as Hispanic or Latino. People had been living with PsA for about four years. Many participants had PsA affecting multiple joints, and some also had related symptoms such as swelling of fingers or toes (dactylitis). About half also had active psoriasis affecting at least 3% of their skin.
Most people in the studies had not previously used biologic treatments for PsA, but most had tried other medicines such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or apremilast, but these medicines either stopped working, were not tolerated, or did not offer enough relief.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive Sotyktu or a placebo (a pill with no active medicine) once daily. The second study (PsA-2) included an extra comparison group that received apremilast, which is another medicine for psoriatic arthritis. Neither the participants nor the researchers knew which treatment each person received during the first 16 weeks of the study. After 16 weeks, people who had been taking a placebo switched to Sotyktu and continued treatment for up to a year (52 weeks).
The main goal of the studies was to see how many people had a response after 16 weeks. A response was defined as having at least a 20% reduction in symptoms, known as an ACR20 response. (ACR stands for American College of Rheumatology.) It means a person has at least a 20% improvement in the number of tender and swollen joints, along with improvement in other measures such as pain, physical function, or inflammation levels in the blood.
What Are the Benefits of Sotyktu for Psoriatic Arthritis Based on Studies?
In both studies, more people taking Sotyktu had improvements in their psoriatic arthritis symptoms than those taking a placebo.
After 16 weeks, 54% of people taking Sotyktu experienced at least a 20% improvement in symptoms (ACR20). In comparison, only 39% of people taking the placebo saw this level of improvement.
In addition to improvements in joint symptoms, researchers measured several other aspects of PsA during the clinical studies. Some people taking Sotyktu had greater improvements in their symptoms beyond the 20% improvement used as the main study goal.
The table below summarizes the percentages of people who had at least a 20%, 50%, and 70% reduction in symptoms in each study.
Trial PsA-1 | Trial PsA-2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Response at Week 16 | Sotyktu | Placebo | Sotyktu | Placebo |
| ACR20 (20% improvement) | 54% | 34% | 54% | 39% |
| ACR50 (50% improvement) | 25% | 14% | 29% | 16% |
| ACR70 (70% improvement) | 12% | 5% | 11% | 5% |
Researchers also measured improvement in skin symptoms using a score called Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI). About 41% of people taking Sotyktu achieved PASI 75, meaning their psoriasis skin symptoms improved by at least 75%. In comparison, about 15% of people taking the placebo reached this level of improvement.
Your results may differ from those seen in clinical studies.
What Were the Results of Longer Studies?
Improvements seen during the first 16 weeks of treatment continued after that point. People who stayed on Sotyktu generally maintained their symptom improvements through 52 weeks (one year) of treatment.
Some people who initially received a placebo during the first part of the studies switched to Sotyktu after week 16. After switching, many of these participants also experienced improvements in their symptoms, which were maintained throughout the year-long study.
Sotyktu was generally well tolerated through 52 weeks in the studies. Only a small number of participants stopped treatment because of side effects. Researchers did not identify any new safety concerns during the long-term study period.
These results suggest that Sotyktu may provide lasting symptom control for many people with psoriatic arthritis. However, individual results can vary.
How Fast Does Sotyktu Start to Work for Psoriatic Arthritis?
In studies, some people began to notice improvement in their psoriatic arthritis symptoms as early as one to two months after starting treatment with Sotyktu.
Some people may notice improvement within the first month, while others may need more time. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about what to expect during treatment.
What Are Other Unique Considerations to Be Aware Of?
Before starting Sotyktu, tell your health care provider about your full medical history. This can help them decide whether this medicine is a good option for you.
Also, your health care provider will usually check you for infections such as tuberculosis (TB) before you start Sotyktu. If you have active TB, you will likely start treatment for TB before starting treatment with Sotyktu.
Your health care provider will also review your vaccine records and recommend that you receive any needed vaccines before treatment begins. Tell your health care provider if you recently received a vaccine or plan to receive one soon. While taking Sotyktu, you should avoid live vaccines, which contain a weakened form of a virus. Examples include vaccines for chickenpox, rotavirus, yellow fever, and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
Your health care provider may also order blood tests before and during Sotyktu treatment to monitor certain lab results, such as liver function tests or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).
Also, tell your health care provider about everything you take. This includes prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Keeping an updated list of these products and sharing it with your health care provider and pharmacist can help them check for possible interactions and make sure your treatments are safe to use together.
How Can I Get Sotyktu?
Sotyktu is a specialty medicine. Your local pharmacy does not carry it. Instead, your health care provider will send your prescription to a specialty pharmacy. They can fill your prescription and ship the medicine to you.
Is There Any Cost Assistance Available for Sotyktu?
A cost assistance program is available from Bristol Myers Squibb, the maker of Sotyktu. It may reduce the cost of your medicine. Visit this website to see if you’re eligible for copay savings. You can also call 888-768-9588 to speak with a representative about financial support options.
