Indications
Approved Uses Otezla® (apremilast) is a prescription medicine used to treat adult patients with:
  • Plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate. Read more >
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. Read less >

What’s it like taking Otezla?

Find out from

real people like you.

See how Otezla made a difference for people with plaque psoriasis*

*Patients have been compensated for their time.

And there it was again: hope.”

Watch Sarah’s Story

Actual patient. Not everyone responds to Otezla, and those who do respond may respond differently.
  • Meet Sarah

    When Sarah noticed the flakes, redness, and dry patches on her scalp and elbows, she thought she’d have to give up her favorite pastime of fly-fishing.

    The creams and shampoos her dermatologist prescribed for her plaque psoriasis weren’t fitting with her lifestyle, and she knew there had to be another option. That’s when she saw a commercial for Otezla. After weighing side effects and benefits with her doctor, she decided to give Otezla a try.

    After 4 months, Sarah achieved clearer skin and was pleased with the results. There was less redness, and less flaking after 4 months. Most importantly, she was able to get back to fly-fishing and enjoying the great outdoors.

  • Meet Charlie
    Charlie actual Otezla patient

    Charlie struggled with plaque psoriasis since he was a child. He tried to cover up, but the plaques on his arms, legs, and hands would crack and bleed, making it difficult to play with the other kids. And as an avid video gamer, his symptoms were getting in the way of his hobbies. Through most of his life, Charlie was embarrassed and believed his plaque psoriasis defined him.

    By the time he was an adult, he felt he’d tried everything—topicals, home remedies, phototherapy. Every day he would wake up wondering if his plaques would be there. So when a doctor recommended Otezla, Charlie felt skeptical that a pill could help, but he gave it a chance and began a sample Starter Pack his doctor gave him.

    Charlie has been on Otezla for over a year now and has clearer skin. He now wishes that he would have tried it sooner!

  • Meet Jillian

    Jillian was in college when she first started noticing red, itchy patches on her skin. At first, her doctor thought it might be an allergy, but after 3 years of cutting out perfumes and changing her diet, she was diagnosed with plaque psoriasis.

    The worst symptom was the itching. Jillian found herself digging her nails into her skin just to avoid scratching off the plaques. She was managing her condition somewhat, but felt like she was using topicals all the time. She knew there had to be something different. After talking to her doctor, Otezla seemed like a better fit for her lifestyle.

    Thanks to the help of the Amgen® SupportPlus team, getting on Otezla and signing up for the co-pay program was easy. Overall, Jillian has had a good experience with Otezla, and most days she says she doesn’t have to cover up her skin.

  • Meet Pat
    Pat actual Otezla patient

    When Pat first noticed a red, itchy patch on his back at age 18, he had a hunch it might be plaque psoriasis since his mom also had the condition. Turns out his hunch was right—he was diagnosed with plaque psoriasis shortly after. Because he grew up swimming and surfing, covering up felt weird at first, but by the time he was in college, Pat had simply gotten used to wearing clothes that hid his plaques. Over the years he’d experienced a lot of trial and error with different doctors and topical treatments, but the idea of switching to a systemic treatment was scary.

    After moving cities for a job, Pat was on the lookout for a new dermatologist, though at this point he’d learned to live with his symptoms, including pitting in his nails and head-to-toe plaques. But this time, something was different. His doctor told him about a pill called Otezla. Pat was tired of sticky ointments and scared of injections, so this sounded like the right choice.

    At first he had some stomach side effects, like diarrhea and nausea. But over time they went away, and he’s glad to say, he started seeing clearer skin after 4 months and has now been on Otezla for 6 years.

See how Otezla also made a difference for people with psoriatic arthritis

For the first time in their lives, my boys know what it’s like to see their mom living well.”

Cindy

Actual Otezla patient

Cindy, real Otezla® (apremilast) patient
  • Meet Cindy

    Cindy has always been confident and outgoing, but when her psoriatic arthritis showed up, the things she loved most, like playing sports and keeping up with her twin sons, became difficult.

    She fought back the only way she knew how—research. This led her to Otezla, a pill that was different from the other treatments she had tried. After her doctor agreed Otezla was a good fit, she left her appointment with a sample Starter Pack that same day.

    Cindy noticed less swelling, tenderness, and pain in her joints after 4 months. And now, she’s able to spend more time with her boys and feels like a better version of herself.

Group of friends dancing at a party

Why consider Otezla?

Read about the benefits of Otezla for plaque psoriasis. Talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you.
Two woman at a brunch gathering

What to expect on Otezla

Find out about managing side effects, seeing results, and more.
how is your treatement treating you

How’s your treatment treating you?

Your doctor wants to know how you’re feeling.

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,