Otezla (apremilast) (Apremilast)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Otezla (apremilast) Used For?
Otezla is a selective immunosuppressant that helps reduce inflammation in your body. It’s specifically designed to treat certain inflammatory conditions that affect your skin, joints, and mouth.
Primary Uses
Otezla treats adults with plaque psoriasis (red, scaly, thick, itchy patches on skin that can also affect scalp and nails), psoriatic arthritis (inflammatory joint disease often with psoriasis), and mouth ulcers associated with Behçet’s disease (a rare inflammatory condition).
How It Works
Otezla works by reducing the activity of phosphodiesterase 4, a natural substance in your body’s cells. This helps regulate your immune response and control the signs and symptoms of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Behçet’s disease.
Quality of Life: Otezla has been shown to improve quality of life in patients, meaning the impact of your condition on daily activities and relationships should be less than before treatment.
How to Take Otezla (apremilast)
Otezla comes as tablets that you swallow whole with water. You can take them with or without food, but it’s important to follow the specific dosing schedule your doctor provides.
Dosage Instructions
You’ll start with a ‘treatment starter pack’ for the first 14 days that gradually increases your dose over 6 days, then continues at the full dose for 8 more days. After that, the standard dose is 30mg twice daily (morning and evening, about 12 hours apart) for a total of 60mg per day. If you have severe kidney problems, your dose will be 30mg once daily. Swallow tablets whole – don’t crush, break, or chew them.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Don’t take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. You only need to go through the gradual dose increase once, even if you restart treatment after a break.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- indigestion
- decreased appetite
- weight loss
- cough
- cold symptoms
- runny nose
- nose/throat/sinus/upper respiratory tract inflammation or infection
- tiredness
- difficulty sleeping
- headaches
- migraines
- back pain
- skin rash
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of face, lips, tongue, or other body parts
Important Warnings
Before taking Otezla, it’s crucial to discuss your medical history and current health conditions with your doctor to ensure this medication is safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Otezla (apremilast)
Don’t take Otezla if you’re allergic to apremilast or any ingredients in the tablets, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you’re under 18 years old (safety not established in children).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, experience severe diarrhea/nausea/vomiting, have experienced depression or suicidal thoughts (past or present), have lactose intolerance (Otezla contains lactose), or take any other medications.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Otezla must not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Mental Health Alert: Tell your doctor immediately if you feel depressed, have suicidal thoughts, experience mood changes, or notice these symptoms have worsened during treatment.
Drug Interactions
Some medications can interfere with how Otezla works in your body. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
Reduced Effectiveness: The medications listed may reduce how well Otezla works. You may need different amounts of your medicines or different medicines altogether.
- rifampicin (antibiotic for tuberculosis)
- carbamazepine (seizure/epilepsy medicine)
- phenytoin (seizure/epilepsy medicine)
- phenobarbitone (seizure/epilepsy medicine)
- St. John’s Wort (herbal medicine for anxiety/depression)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious about activities that require alertness until you know how Otezla affects you personally.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Otezla affects you.
Storage
Store Otezla below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in your car, or on windowsills. Keep out of reach of children. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Otezla, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you don’t feel unwell.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but Otezla can result in reduction of psoriasis skin plaques, improvement in swollen and painful joints, and fewer mouth ulcers. Your doctor will monitor your progress during treatment.
Yes, you can take Otezla either with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with water.
Don’t stop taking Otezla suddenly or change the dose without speaking to your doctor. Your doctor will guide you on when and how to stop treatment.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems. If you have severe kidney problems, your recommended dose will be reduced to 30mg once daily instead of twice daily.
No, Otezla must not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you experience severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting during treatment. These side effects are usually noticed at the start of treatment, and your healthcare provider should be informed.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.