[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [JAK inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/jak-inhibitors/) › Deucravacitinib # Deucravacitinib ## JAK inhibitors? JAK inhibitors An oral, selective TYK2 inhibitor for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis; it binds the kinase's regulatory domain rather than its ATP site. Updated Nov 1, 2026 ## Quick facts **Group** [JAK inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/jak-inhibitors/) **Target** Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), regulatory pseudokinase (JH2) domain **Used for** Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis **Key effects** Runny nose · Mouth sores · Acne and folliculitis **Monitor** Latent tuberculosis test before starting **ATC** L04AF07 No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline. On this page - The basics Mechanism of action - Indications - Adverse effects - Pharmacokinetics - Memory aid - Safety Contraindications - Key interactions - What is monitored - Administration and safety - Pregnancy and breastfeeding - Nursing care - Study Test yourself - Connections Connections ## Mechanism of action ✂**Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), regulatory pseudokinase (JH2) domain**Deucravacitinib ⓘ The figure shows the human TYK2 pseudokinase (JH2) domain with the deucravacitinib molecule bound (the crystal ligand is recorded without its deuterium atoms). **Target in 3D:** Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), regulatory pseudokinase (JH2) domain. PDB structure 6NZP (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6NZP) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom Deucravacitinib is a selective inhibitor of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), a member of the JAK family. TYK2 carries the signals of IL-23, IL-12 and type I interferons; blocking it lowers the IL-23–Th17 drive behind psoriasis. It binds the regulatory pseudokinase domain of TYK2, not the shared ATP site, which keeps it selective for TYK2. - Drug binds the regulatory (JH2) domain of TYK2 - TYK2 is locked in an inactive form - IL-23, IL-12 and interferon signals are damped - Psoriasis plaques and joint inflammation improve ## Indications - Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis [Psoriasis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriasis/) - Psoriatic arthritis [Psoriatic arthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/) ## Adverse effects ### Common - Runny nose, congestion, sore throat - Mouth sores - Acne and folliculitis ### Serious (rare, important) - Serious infections, including tuberculosis - Muscle injury (dark urine, muscle pain or weakness) - Liver injury - Possible higher risk of lymphoma and other cancers - Raised triglycerides ## Contraindications - Hypersensitivity to deucravacitinib - Active serious infection, including active tuberculosis ## Key interactions **Live vaccines** Avoided during treatment; age-appropriate vaccines are given before starting. **Other medicines that suppress the immune system** Added infection risk. ## What is monitored - Latent tuberculosis test before starting - Laboratory tests ordered by the team - Signs of infection ## Administration and safety - Tablets are swallowed whole, not split, crushed or chewed. - Taken with or without food. - Vaccines are brought up to date before starting. ## Pregnancy and breastfeeding Human data are limited; pregnancy and breastfeeding are discussed with the treating team. ## Nursing care - Confirm the tuberculosis test and ask about hepatitis, zoster and liver disease. - Teach to report dark urine, unexplained muscle pain or weakness, or extreme tiredness. - Teach to report yellow skin or eyes, fever, chills or warm, painful skin. ## Pharmacokinetics **Absorption** Oral tablet, with or without food, swallowed whole ## Memory aid DEUCRAVACitinib: DEUterium, TYK2-only, works from the 'back door' (JH2), not the ATP front door. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which kinase does deucravacitinib block? Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2). ## Where on TYK2 does deucravacitinib bind? The regulatory pseudokinase (JH2) domain, not the ATP site, which makes it selective. ## Which cytokine pathway blocked by deucravacitinib is central to psoriasis? The IL-23 pathway (TYK2 also carries IL-12 and type I interferon signals). [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/deucravacitinib/) [More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology) ## Connections ## Related drugs 3 - [Upadacitinib](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/upadacitinib/) - [Tofacitinib](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/tofacitinib/) - [Guselkumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/guselkumab/) ## Related conditions 2 - [Psoriasis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriasis/) - [Psoriatic arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/) [← Back to the class: JAK inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/jak-inhibitors/) Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [Deucravacitinib: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a622067.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [RCSB PDB - 6NZP: CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF TYROSINE KINASE 2 JH2 (PSEUDO KINASE DOMAIN) COMPLEXED WITH COMPOUND-11 AKA 6-CYCLOPROPANEAMIDO-4-{[2-METHOXY-3-(1-METHYL-1H-1,2,4-TRI AZOL-3-YL)PHENYL]AMINO}-N-(?H?)METHYLPYRIDAZINE-3-CARBOXAMIDE](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6NZP) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2019); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L04AF07) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/deucravacitinib/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). 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