Otezla is a needle-free option with no initial or routine blood tests required.
Otezla treats inside the body, where inflammation starts.
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.
With no initial or routine blood tests required, your child can get started on treatment right away.
Otezla comes in two dose strengths prescribed based on your child’s weight:
After completing their titration pack:
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.
| Body Weight |
Day 1 AM |
Day 2 AMPM |
Day 3 AMPM |
Day 4 AMPM |
Day 5 AMPM |
Day 6 & Beyond AMPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| >110 lbs | 10 mg | 10 mg10 mg | 10 mg20 mg | 20 mg20 mg | 20 mg30 mg | 30 mg30 mg |
| 44 lbs to <110 lbs |
10 mg | 10 mg10 mg | 10 mg20 mg | 20 mg20 mg | 20 mg20 mg | 20 mg20 mg |
Kids and teens with severe kidney disease will follow a different dosing schedule.
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 30 mg once daily. For pediatric patients weighing 44 lbs to less than 110 lbs, reduce dosage to 20 mg once daily.
As with any treatment, your child may experience side effects with Otezla.
The safety profile of Otezla in pediatric patients was established in a clinical study of 245 moderate to severe plaque psoriasis patients 6+. The most common side effects are seen below.
| Most common side effects (up to week 16) | Otezla 163 patients | Placebo 80 patients |
|---|---|---|
| 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%) |
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 as they may be able to help manage it.
So, you and your doctor have decided Otezla is right for your child. Here’s what happens next.
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.
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.
Receive your digital co-pay card immediately by email
Screenshot, save & share your co-pay card information for when your specialty pharmacy contacts you
Don’t miss the call from your specialty pharmacy
Once your doctor has given your prescription to a specialty pharmacy, they will call you to arrange delivery of Otezla
The ONLY way to receive your Otezla is to answer the specialty pharmacy’s call, so save them as a contact in your phone
Your Otezla will be on its way to your door
Whether you are considering Otezla for your child, or they’re just beginning treatment,
Get even more information about Otezla, how it works, and getting started with treatment. All in a downloadable brochure.
With the help from a dedicated Nurse Partner†, savings offers on Otezla and more, you'll never have to do it alone.
Call 1-844-4OTEZLA (1-844-468-3952)
to enroll
Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 8 PM ET.
†Amgen® Nurse Partners are not part of your treatment team and do not provide medical advice, nursing, or case management services. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider regarding medical decisions or treatment concerns.
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.
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
