Two medicines, side by side
Adalimumab vs apremilast
Adalimumab and apremilast are both labeled for psoriasis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of adalimumab since 2002 and of apremilast since 2014. Pharmacies paid $1,587.82 per mL (Adalimumab-adaz(cf) pen 40 mg/0.4 mL) and $90.57 per Otezla 30 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, adalimumab is a tumor necrosis factor blocker and apremilast a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the adalimumab FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 21, 2025); the apremilast FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 2, 2026).
Highlights of the adalimumab record
Adalimumab (Humira) · label of October 21, 2025
SERIOUS INFECTIONS and MALIGNANCY SERIOUS INFECTIONS Patients treated with adalimumab products, including Adalimumab-adaz, are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. Discontinue Adalimumab-adaz if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.
Used for
From the label: indicationsAdalimumab-adaz is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-blocker indicated for: • Reducing signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 31, 2002
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $1,587.82 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the apremilast record
Apremilast (Otezla) · label of September 2, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsOTEZLA/OTEZLA XR, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), is indicated for the treatment of: Adult patients with: Active psoriatic arthritis ( 1.1 ) Plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy ( 1.2 ) Oral ulcers associated with Behçet's Disease ( 1.3 ) Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with: Active psoriatic arthritis ( 1.1 ) Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 21, 2014
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $90.57 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Adalimumab label of October 21, 2025, Apremilast label of September 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do adalimumab and apremilast differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, adalimumab is a tumor necrosis factor blocker and apremilast a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Adalimumab, “Adalimumab products bind specifically to TNF-alpha and block its interaction with the p55 and p75 cell surface TNF receptors.”; Apremilast, “Apremilast is an oral small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) specific for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP).”
Half-life, in each label's words: Adalimumab, “The mean terminal half-life was approximately 2 weeks, ranging from 10 to 20 days across studies.”; Apremilast, “Elimination The plasma clearance of apremilast is about 10 L/hr in healthy subjects, with a terminal elimination …”
Only the adalimumab label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: adalimumab none approved; apremilast since 2021 (Drugs@FDA).
| Adalimumab | Apremilast | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Psoriasis | Psoriasis |
| Pharmacologic class | Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker | Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Adalimumab products bind specifically to TNF-alpha and block its interaction with the p55 and p75 cell surface TNF receptors. Adalimumab products also lyse surface TNF expressing cells in vitro in the presence of complement. | Apremilast is an oral small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) specific for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). PDE4 inhibition results in increased intracellular cAMP levels. |
| Half-life (label) | The mean terminal half-life was approximately 2 weeks, ranging from 10 to 20 days across studies. | Elimination The plasma clearance of apremilast is about 10 L/hr in healthy subjects, with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 6-9 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 31, 2002 | March 21, 2014 |
| First generic approved | none | February 17, 2021 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1,587.82 per mL (Adalimumab-adaz(cf) pen 40 mg/0.4 mL) | $90.57 per tablet (Otezla 30 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -0.3% | +5% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 712,308 | 145,481 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to adalimumab
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions