Approved Uses Otezla® (apremilast) is a prescription medicine used to treat adult patients with:

  • Plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate.
  • Active psoriatic arthritis.
  • Oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease.
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Important Safety Information Approved Uses Full Prescribing Information Healthcare Professionals

How Otezla works

Though many people assume that plaque psoriasis is just a skin disease, it actually starts inside the body—so it’s important to keep that in mind.

Plaque psoriasis is associated with overactive inflammation in the body. Lab research has shown that an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), located inside cells, contributes to this inflammation.

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“Otezla works from the inside to help reduce inflammation.”
-Dr. Erin Boh, board certified dermatologist

Otezla is called a PDE4 inhibitor—meaning it works inside inflammatory cells to reduce PDE4 activity. A reduction in PDE4 activity is thought to help reduce the overactive inflammation that happens in people with plaque psoriasis.

Carole’s Story (Patient Testimonial)
Anita’s Story (Patient Testimonial)
Otezla is different

What makes Otezla different from some other plaque psoriasis treatments? It’s a pill that works inside the body.

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The details on how Otezla works

While the exact way in which Otezla helps improve symptoms of plaque psoriasis isn’t completely understood, here’s what we do know:

Plaque psoriasis is associated with overactive inflammation

Though it appears on the skin, it’s thought that plaque psoriasis is caused by overactive inflammation inside the body.

A source of this inflammation is thought to be caused by an enzyme called PDE4 (located inside inflammatory cells)

Overactive inflammation is thought to speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. These skin cells eventually build up, appearing as red, raised plaques on the skin.

Otezla is a pill that reduces PDE4 activity

Otezla works inside the inflammatory cells to reduce PDE4 activity—and by doing so, it’s thought to reduce inflammation.

Less inflammation can lead to a reduction in symptoms

Less inflammation can lead to less symptoms of plaque psoriasis: that can mean less redness, thickness, and scaliness of plaques.

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Benefits

Otezla isn’t an injection, biologic, or cream. It’s different—it’s a pill.
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Results

See before and after photos
of people who take Otezla.

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.

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 to treat adult patients with:

  • Plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate.
  • Active psoriatic arthritis.
  • 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, raised bumps (hives), rash or itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or arms.

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