Vtama

Pronunciation: Vee-TAM-uh
Generic name: tapinarof
Dosage form: cream 1%
Drug class: Topical antipsoriatics

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 26, 2024.

What is Vtama cream?

Vtama cream is a steroid-free, once-daily cream used to treat psoriasis in adults. Vtama helps to decrease inflammation, normalize skin barrier proteins, and increase antioxidant activity to improve or clear psoriasis, and reduce itch. The cream starts working as early as four weeks, and after 3 months, 40% of patients had clear or almost clear skin in clinical trials.

Vtama cream can be applied to plaque psoriasis on all body areas including on sensitive skin areas like your face, neck, armpits, chest/breasts, and groin. Cream should not be applied to your eyes, mouth, or vagina. The cream is well tolerated and can be used long-term. In 12-week clinical trials, only 2.9% of patients stopped treatment due to contact dermatitis and 2.8% due to folliculitis.

Vtama cream works on receptors in the skin called aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) which are important regulators of your skin. Although the mechanism of action is not fully understood, the active ingredient tapinarof activates AhR, which reduces inflammation and helps clear plaque psoriasis. The active ingredient tapinarof is from a group of medicines called aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists.

Vtama cream is an FDA-approved prescription medicine used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults.

Vtama Side Effects

Common Vtama side effects may include:

folliculitis (redness or crusting around your hair follicles);
stuffy nose, sore throat;
skin rash or irritation;
itching, peeling, burning, or stinging skin;
headache; or
flu-like symptoms.

Serious Vtama side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficult breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Important information

This cream is for use on the skin (topical use) only, it should not be applied to your eyes, mouth, or vagina.

Before using this medicine

Before you start treatment, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this cream will harm your unborn baby.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if this cream passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment.

What other drugs will affect Vtama cream?

Medicine used on the skin is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How should I use Vtama cream?

Use the cream exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
Apply a thin layer of the cream only to your psoriasis skin lesions one time each day. Avoid applying the cream to unaffected areas of your skin.
Wash your hands after applying the cream unless you are using it to treat your hands.
If someone else applies the cream for you, they should wash their hands after application.

Vtama Dosing information

Usual Adult Dosage for Plaque Psoriasis

Apply a thin layer of cream to areas of plaque psoriasis once daily.

Use: topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults

Storage

Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
Do not freeze the cream.
Protect the cream from exposure to excessive heat.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets.

General information

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use this cream for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give it to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information that is written for health professionals.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: tapinarof
Inactive ingredients: benzoic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, citric acid monohydrate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, edetate disodium, emulsifying wax, medium chain triglycerides, polyoxyl 2 stearyl ether, polyoxyl 20 stearyl ether, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, purified water, and sodium citrate dihydrate.