Plaque Psoriasis Patient Stories | Otezla® (apremilast)
Indications
Approved Uses Otezla® (apremilast) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of:
  • Adult patients with plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate. Read more >
Approved Uses Otezla® (apremilast) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of:
  • Adult patients with plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate.
  • Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 20 kg with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
  • Adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
  • Adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease. Read less >

Otezla has made a real difference for real people just like you.

See stories of people who take Otezla for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis*

Do you want to help others by sharing your experiences?

Individual results may vary.

Meet Kayla

Kayla used topicals to help treat her plaque psoriasis symptoms of dryness, itching, and cracking skin. She didn’t like how the greasy, sticky creams and lotions made her feel. After talking to her doctor, they recommended she try Otezla. A twice-a-day pill is a great fit for Kayla, and she is thankful she has Otezla.

Your results may vary.

*Patients have been compensated for their time.

See stories of people who take Otezla for psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis*

KAYLA’s Story
PAT’S Story
Michael’s Story
CINDY’S Story

Your unique Otezla
experience matters

Your unique Otezla experience could make a difference for other people living with plaque psoriasis. Here are just a few ways you can share your story in a way that works for you:

Paper and pen

Write a short story about your plaque psoriasis journey

Video recorder

Tell your plaque psoriasis story in your own words for a professionally filmed interview

Photos

Share before and after photos of your plaque psoriasis with Otezla

Get started by answering a few questions about yourself.

Or, you can call 1-855-697-3968 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET, Monday – Friday.

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
Your results may vary.

PAT’S STORYPAT + OTEZLA

CINDY’S STORYCINDY + OTEZLA

MICHAEL’S STORYMICHAEL + OTEZLA

KAYLA’S STORYKAYLA + OTEZLA

SARAH’S STORYSARAH + OTEZLA

CHARLIE’S STORYCHARLIE + OTEZLA

JILLIAN’S STORYJILLIAN + OTEZLA

Meet Pat, a real Otezla® (apremilast) patient

Meet Pat

Pat had gotten used to covering up his plaque psoriasis and learned to live with the pitting in his nails and head-to-toe plaques. Over the years, he’d experienced lots of trial and error with different doctors and various topical treatments. But as time passed, Pat grew tired of sticky ointments on his skin. He decided it was time to try something different, and his doctor told him about a pill called Otezla. Pat is happy to say he started seeing clearer skin after 4 months and has now been on Otezla for 6 years.

Your results may vary

Meet Cindy, a real Otezla® (apremilast) patient

Meet Cindy

When Cindy’s 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. She learned about Otezla, a pill that was different from the other treatments she had tried. Cindy’s doctor agreed Otezla was a good fit, and she left her appointment with a sample Starter Pack that same day. She noticed less swelling, tenderness, and pain in her joints after just 4 months of treatment with Otezla.

Your results may vary

michel-portrait

Meet Michael

At first, Michael treated his plaque psoriasis with topicals. He felt frustrated by the messiness and stickiness of the topicals and began to seek out a different treatment option. He and his doctor decided that Otezla would be a good fit for him. Michael is excited to share that after 4 months of treatment, with the help of Otezla, his symptoms have been reduced.

Your results may vary.

kayla-portrait

Meet Kayla

Kayla used topicals to help treat her plaque psoriasis symptoms of dryness, itching, and cracking skin. She didn’t like how the greasy, sticky creams and lotions made her feel. After talking to her doctor, they recommended she try Otezla. A twice-a-day pill is a great fit for Kayla, and she is thankful she has Otezla.

Your results may vary.

sarah-portrait

Meet Sarah

Sarah had been prescribed various creams and shampoos for her red, flaky, and dry plaque psoriasis—but they just didn’t fit her lifestyle. She knew there had to be a better option. After just 4 months on Otezla, Sarah achieved clearer skin and was pleased to see less redness and flaking. Most importantly, she was able to get back to her favorite pastimes of fly-fishing and enjoying the great outdoors.

Your results may vary.

charlie-portrait

Meet Charlie

Throughout most of his life, Charlie was embarrassed by his plaque psoriasis. He tried to cover it up, but it became difficult when his plaques became dry and cracked and started to bleed. Before his doctor prescribed Otezla, he felt he’d tried everything—topicals, home remedies, phototherapy—and was skeptical that a pill could help. Charlie has been on treatment for over a year now and has clearer skin. He only wishes he had tried Otezla sooner!

Your results may vary.

jillian-portrait

Meet Jillian

Jillian’s most frustrating plaque psoriasis symptom was itching. She found herself digging her nails into her skin just to avoid scratching off the plaques. She was trying to manage her symptoms but felt like she was using topicals all the time. She knew there had to be a different treatment option, so she discussed it with her doctor, and they decided Otezla would be a better fit for her lifestyle. Jillian has had a positive experience on treatment with Otezla, and most days, she says she doesn’t have to cover up her skin.

Your results may vary.

  • 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.

Pay as little as $0*

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.

*For commercially insured patients only. Eligibility criteria and program maximums apply.
See AmgenSupportPlus.com/copay-terms for full Terms and Conditions.
Caregivers of kids and teens under 18 can contact Amgen® SupportPlus at
1-844-4OTEZLA (1-844-468-3952) to complete enrollment, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 8 PM ET.
Hand holding copay card from Amgen® SupportPlus program
Hand holding copay card from Amgen® SupportPlus program

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. 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.

APPROVED USES

Otezla® (apremilast) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of:

  • Adult patients with plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate.
  • Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 20 kg with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
  • Adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
  • Adult patients with 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,