roflumilast

Modality

small molecule

Mechanism

12.1 Mechanism of Action Roflumilast and its active metabolite (roflumilast N-oxide) are inhibitors of PDE4. Roflumilast and roflumilast N-oxide inhibition of PDE4 (a major cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate [cyclic AMP] metabolizing enzyme) activity leads to accumulation of intracellular cyclic AMP. The specific mechanism(s) by which roflumilast exerts its therapeutic action is not well defined.

Targets

PDE4

Storage

—

Approved

psoriasis — FDA · atopic dermatitis — FDA · seborrheic dermatitis — FDA

In trial

rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, vitiligo, hidradenitis suppurativa

Sources

DailyMed (FDA label)DrugBank ClinicalTrials.gov

Last verified

2026-04-23

No curated MOA diagram yet. See lib/moa-data.ts for the shape; add an entry keyed by roflumilast.

Formulations

0.3% cream0.3% foam (scalp/body, sebderm)0.15% cream (AD peds)