The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) for adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The drug was already approved for plaque psoriasis.

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For people living with PsA, Sotyktu adds a new oral treatment option. It’s also the first tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor approved for PsA, giving people another approach beyond injectable biologics and other oral drugs.

What Is Sotyktu and How Does It Work?

Sotyktu is a once-daily pill that targets a specific part of the immune system known as tyrosine kinase 2. TYK2 helps control signals from certain proteins (called cytokines) that play a role in inflammation. The drug was initially approved in 2022 for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

By blocking TYK2, Sotyktu helps calm inflammation in PsA by interrupting signals from proteins such as interleukin (IL)-23, IL-12, and type 1 interferons.

This gives people another treatment option because it targets inflammation differently from biologics and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors.

Key Findings From Clinical Trials

The FDA approval was based on two large phase 3 clinical trials that studied adults with active PsA.

Here are some of the key study results:

• More people saw symptom improvement — About 54 percent of people taking Sotyktu achieved at least 20 percent improvement in symptoms, compared with 34 percent to 39 percent of those who took a placebo (inactive treatment) at 16 weeks.
• Higher-level responses were also more common — Up to 29 percent achieved a 50 percent improvement, compared with 14 percent to 16 percent who received a placebo.
• Some reached minimal disease activity — Around 19 percent to 26 percent of participants reached low disease activity, compared with 10 percent to 15 percent who took a placebo.
• Physical function and quality of life improved — People taking Sotyktu reported better physical functioning and reduced pain compared with placebo.

These results suggest that Sotyktu may help reduce joint symptoms and improve daily functioning for some people living with PsA.

Side Effects and Safety Considerations

Like all medications, Sotyktu may cause side effects. In clinical trials, the most common side effects included:

• Upper respiratory infections (colds)
• Increased levels of creatine phosphokinase (a muscle-related enzyme)
• Herpes simplex infections
• Mouth ulcers
• Folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles)
• Acne

Less common but more serious risks may include:

• Serious infections (such as pneumonia)
• Tuberculosis
• Allergic reactions
• Certain cancers, including lymphoma
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle injury)
• Changes in lab values, such as liver enzymes or triglycerides

Because Sotyktu affects the immune system, healthcare providers typically weigh the potential benefits and risks before prescribing it.

What This Means for People Living With Psoriatic Arthritis

PsA can affect joints, skin, and overall quality of life. Having more treatment options can be important, especially since no single therapy works for everyone.

The approval of Sotyktu introduces:

• A new class of medication for PsA
• Another once-daily oral option
• Another choice for people who may not respond well to existing treatments
• A treatment that is now approved for both psoriasis and PsA

If you’re living with PsA and are curious about new or different treatment options, consider talking with your healthcare provider. They can help you understand how this newly approved medication — or other therapies — might fit into your care plan.

Join the Conversation

On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you found a treatment that works for PsA? Let others know in the comments below.