And, as with any medication, you may experience side effects
Click below to expand the table that includes the most common side effects of Otezla compared to placebo (sugar pill) seen in clinical studies involving adults with plaque psoriasis:
| Most common side effects (up to week 16) |
Otezla 298 people |
Placebo 296 people |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea | 49 (16.4%) | 15 (5.1%) |
| Headache | 39 (13.1%) | 15 (5.1%) |
| Nausea | 38 (12.8%) | 13 (4.4%) |
| Nasopharyngitis | 22 (7.4%) | 8 (2.7%) |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 17 (5.7%) | 15 (5.1%) |
| Most common side effects (up to week 16) |
Otezla 920 people |
Placebo 506 people |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea | 160 (17%) | 32 (6%) |
| Nausea | 155 (17%) | 35 (7%) |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 84 (9%) | 31 (6%) |
| Tension headache | 75 (8%) | 21 (4%) |
| Headache | 55 (6%) | 19 (4%) |
| Most common side effects (up to week 16) |
Otezla 143 people |
Placebo 145 people |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea | 37 (25.9%) | 12 (8.3%) |
| Headache | 33 (23.1%) | 16 (11.0%) |
| Nausea | 32 (22.4%) | 11 (7.6%) |
| Nasopharyngitis | 12 (8.4%) | 12 (8.3%) |
| Most common side effects (up to week 16) |
Otezla 298 people |
Placebo 296 people |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea | 49 (16.4%) | 15 (5.1%) |
| Headache | 39 (13.1%) | 15 (5.1%) |
| Nausea | 38 (12.8%) | 13 (4.4%) |
| Common Cold | 22 (7.4%) | 8 (2.7%) |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 17 (5.7%) | 15 (5.1%) |
| Most common side effects (up to week 16) |
Otezla 920 people |
Placebo 506 people |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea | 160 (17%) | 32 (6%) |
| Nausea | 155 (17%) | 35 (7%) |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 84 (9%) | 31 (6%) |
| Tension headache | 75 (8%) | 21 (4%) |
| Headache | 55 (6%) | 19 (4%) |
| Most common side effects (up to week 16) |
Otezla 143 people |
Placebo 145 people |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea | 37 (25.9%) | 12 (8.3%) |
| Headache | 33 (23.1%) | 16 (11.0%) |
| Nausea | 32 (22.4%) | 11 (7.6%) |
| Nasopharyngitis | 12 (8.4%) | 12 (8.3%) |
These are not all the possible side effects of Otezla. Ask your doctor about potential side effects, and be sure to let them know about any side effects that bother you or don’t go away.
Don’t be afraid to speak up. Your doctor may be able to offer tips for managing any side effects of Otezla.
Did you know you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 per month through the Otezla Co-Pay Program? For eligible, commercially insured patients, your co-pay can be applied to deductible, co-insurance, and co-payment,* and is available regardless of your income level.
First-time co-pay card user? Find out more about how it works, and how it can help.
No insurance? Learn about other ways to access Otezla.
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.
Otezla® (apremilast) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of:
You must not take Otezla if you are allergic to apremilast or to any of the ingredients in Otezla.
