Pediatric Psoriasis Treatment | Otezla® (apremilast)
Indications
Approved Uses Otezla® (apremilast) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of:
  • Adult patients with plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate. Read more >
Approved Uses Otezla® (apremilast) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of:
  • Adult patients with plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate.
  • Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 20 kg with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
  • Adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
  • Adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease. Read less >

With Otezla, kids & teens can see clear or almost clear skin

after 4 months for those aged 6 years and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

  • WHY CHOOSE OTEZLA?
  • WHAT TO EXPECT
  • PAYING & STARTING OTEZLA
  • TOOLS TO SUPPORT YOU & YOUR CHILD

For patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

Otezla is a pill with an established safety record and proven efficacy for kids and teens

More than 1 million Otezla® (apremilast) patients

Over 1 million adult patients have been treated with Otezla globally*

Calendar

Doctors have been prescribing Otezla for over a decade

With Otezla more than half of patients felt less itchiness

More than half of Otezla® (apremilast) patients

*Estimates of patients treated reflect global data since launch (Apr 2014-Mar 2024; US=59% of data). Calculations based on observed drug utilization parameters and number of units distributed. Utilization patterns change over time to best represent current markets.

In a clinical study of 245 patients, 52% of patients treated with Otezla felt less itchiness after 4 months versus 32% on placebo. There's a chance that the difference seen between Otezla and placebo may be coincidental, so patients should interpret these results with caution.

What happens the first few weeks on Otezla?

We know helping someone you care for begin a new treatment can be scary.
Let’s go over what you can expect in the first few weeks so you can feel more comfortable and confident as your child begins Otezla.

Here’s how to get started with Otezla

So, you and your doctor have decided Otezla is right for your child. Here’s what happens next.

Enroll to pay as little as $0

The Otezla Co-Pay* Program may help eligible patients with commercial insurance pay as little as $0 out of pocket for Otezla per month. Caregivers of kids and teens 18 and under can contact
Amgen® SupportPlus at 1-844-4OTEZLA (1-844-468-3952) to complete enrollment, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 8 PM ET.

*Eligibility criteria and program maximums apply. See AmgenSupportPlus.com/copay-terms for full Terms and Conditions.

Whether you are considering Otezla for your child, or they’re just beginning treatment,

Here are a few resources to help as your child starts and stays on Otezla

Patient brochure

Patient Brochure

Get even more information about Otezla, how it works, and getting started with treatment. All in a downloadable brochure.

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Amgen® Nurse Partners

Amgen® Nurse Partners

Have questions about paying for Otezla or getting your prescription? Help is just one call away with Amgen® Nurse Partners, available 8 AM – 8 PM ET, Monday – Friday.

Call 1-844-4OTEZLA (1-844-468-3952)

I was 14 when I discovered I had plaque psoriasis. It was very overwhelming, but my mom helped advocate for my health.”

When Kayla’s skin became itchy and flaky at age 14, her mom acted quickly to find answers, first from a pediatrician and then a dermatologist, who diagnosed Kayla with plaque psoriasis. Kayla may have been overwhelmed and even a little scared, but her mom was a consistent champion for her health.

Kayla
Actual Otezla patient

For people with severe kidney disease, Otezla is one pill a day.

Otezla goes where topicals can't- it treats from the inside out

Topical creams

Topicals treat what you see on the surface…but plaque psoriasis actually begins on the inside

Otezla® (apremilast) tablet

No mess: Otezla treats plaque psoriasis from within where inflammation begins

Think Otezla might be right for your child?

Your child can start Otezla today

No blood tests with Otezla® (apremilast)

With no initial or routine blood tests required with Otezla, your child can start treatment right away and see clear or almost clear skin after 4 months.

No mess. No needles. Otezla is a pill.

Otezla comes in two dose strengths prescribed based on your child’s weight:

Two dose strengths of Otezla® (apremilast)

After completing their sample pack:

  • Patients weighing more than 110 lbs take one 30 mg pill of Otezla two times per day
  • Patients weighing 40 to 110 lbs take one 20 mg pill of Otezla two times per day
  • Patients weighing more than 110 lbs take one 30 mg pill of Otezla two times per day

When your child starts Otezla, they will slowly increase their dose over the first 5 days of treatment until they reach the recommended dose. This is known as titration. Kids and teens with severe kidney disease will follow a different dosing schedule.*

Body
Weight
Day 1
 AM
Day 2
AMPM
Day 3
AMPM
Day 4
AMPM
Day 5
PMPM
Day 6 &
Beyond
AMPM
110 lbs or
more
10 mg 10 mg10 mg 10 mg20 mg 20 mg20 mg 20 mg30 mg 30 mg30 mg
40 lbs to
110 lbs
10 mg 10 mg10 mg 10 mg20 mg 20 mg20 mg 20 mg20 mg 20 mg20 mg

*Pediatric patients with severe kidney disease: for initial dosage titration, it is recommended that Otezla be titrated using only the AM schedule shown above for appropriate body weight category and that the PM doses be skipped. From day 6 on, for pediatric patients weighing more than 110 lbs, reduce dosage to 30mg once daily. For pediatric patients weighing 40 lbs to 110 lbs, reduce dosage to 20mg once daily.

Otezla has some side effects

As with any treatment, your child may experience side effects with Otezla.

These are a few side effects that are possible with Otezla––Ask your doctor about potential side effects, and be sure to let them know about any side effects that bother your child or don’t go away.

Most common side effects
(up to week 16)
Otezla
163 people
Placebo
80 people
Diarrhea 32 (20%) 8 (10%)
Nausea 32 (20%) 2 (3%)
Abdominal Pain 32 (20%) 8 (10%)
Vomiting 29 (18%) 2 (3%)
Headache 17 (10%) 4 (5%)
Fever 10 (6%) 1 (1%)
Common Cold 10 (6%) 3 (4%)
Upper Abdominal Pain 9 (6%) 4 (5%)

An Otezla prescription takes 2 easy steps to fill.

Get Otezla in 2 steps

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Enroll in the Otezla Co-Pay Program to pay as little as $0*

Call 1-844-4OTEZLA (1-844-468-3952) to complete enrollment, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 8 PM ET.

Mail

Receive your digital co-pay card immediately by email

Co-pay card

Screenshot, save & share your co-pay card information for when your specialty pharmacy contacts you

2-circle

Don’t miss the call from your specialty pharmacy

Prescriptions

Once your doctor has given your prescription to a specialty pharmacy, they will call you to arrange delivery of Otezla

Smartphone

The ONLY way to receive your Otezla is to answer the specialty pharmacy’s call, so save them as a contact in your phone

Medication mail delivery

Your Otezla will be on its way to your door

*The Otezla Co-Pay Program is for commercially insured patients only. Eligibility criteria and program maximums apply.

See AmgenSupportPlus.com/copay-terms for full Terms and Conditions.

Want tools to help you and your child as they start and stay on treatment?

Parent and child watching TV on couch

Questions about Otezla?

If your child has already been prescribed Otezla, call 1-844-4OTEZLA (1-844-468-3952) to find out how to get started. If you’re still considering Otezla, you can find even more key information here.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

You must not take Otezla if you are allergic to apremilast or to any of the ingredients in Otezla.

Otezla can cause allergic reactions, sometimes severe. Stop using Otezla and call your healthcare provider or seek emergency help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: trouble breathing or swallowing, raised bumps (hives), rash or itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or arms.

Otezla can cause severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, especially within the first few weeks of treatment. Use in elderly patients and the use of certain medications with Otezla appears to increase the risk of complications from having severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Tell your doctor if any of these conditions occur.

Otezla is associated with an increase in depression. In clinical studies, some patients reported depression, or suicidal behavior while taking Otezla. Some patients stopped taking Otezla due to depression. Before starting Otezla, tell your doctor if you have had feelings of depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior. Be sure to tell your doctor if any of these symptoms or other mood changes develop or worsen during treatment with Otezla.

Some patients taking Otezla lost body weight. Your doctor should monitor your weight regularly. If unexplained or significant weight loss occurs, your doctor will decide if you should continue taking Otezla. For children 6 years of age or older, their doctor should monitor their growth (height and weight). If they are not growing or gaining weight as expected, their doctor will decide if they should continue taking Otezla.

Some medicines may make Otezla less effective and should not be taken with Otezla. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines.

The most common side effects of Otezla include diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, tension headache, and headache. These are not all the possible side effects with Otezla. Ask your doctor about other potential side effects. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or planning to breastfeed.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-332-1088.

Please click here for the Full Prescribing Information for Otezla.

APPROVED USES

Otezla® (apremilast) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of:

  • Adult patients with plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate.
  • Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 20 kg with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
  • Adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
  • Adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

You must not take Otezla if you are allergic to apremilast or to any of the ingredients in Otezla.

Otezla can cause allergic reactions, sometimes severe. Stop using Otezla and call your healthcare provider or seek emergency help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: trouble breathing or swallowing,