How to Take Otezla® (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis
Indications
Approved Uses Prescription Otezla®/Otezla XR® (apremilast) is used for the treatment of:

Plaque Psoriasis:

  • OTEZLA/OTEZLA XR: Adult patients with plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy. Read more >
Approved Uses Prescription Otezla®/Otezla XR® (apremilast) is used for the treatment of:

Plaque Psoriasis:

  • OTEZLA/OTEZLA XR: Adult patients with plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
  • OTEZLA: Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 20 kg (44 lbs) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
  • OTEZLA XR: Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 50 kg (110 lbs) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.

Active Psoriatic Arthritis:

  • OTEZLA: Adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 20 kg (44 lbs) with active psoriatic arthritis.
  • OTEZLA XR: Adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 50 kg (110 lbs) with active psoriatic arthritis.

Oral Ulcers Associated with Behçet’s Disease:

  • OTEZLA/OTEZLA XR: Adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease. Read less >

You are leaving the Otezla website

Do you wish to leave this site?

YES No

Skip the wait—no blood tests required

Otezla is available in two doses—your doctor will recommend the one that’s right for you

Otezla® (apremilast) 30mg tablets

30 mg twice-daily pills

Or
Otezla® (apremilast) 75mg extended release tablet

75 mg once-daily extended-release (XR) pill

Not actual pill sizes.

Taking your Prescription

  • You can take Otezla/Otezla XR with or without food. Do not crush, split, or chew the pill
  • Otezla should be stored below 86° F and Otezla XR should be stored between 68° F and 77° F
  • Be sure to take Otezla/Otezla XR as directed by your doctor
  • Do not be concerned if you see part of the Otezla extended-release tablet in your stool—it has already been absorbed into your body
  • Otezla XR is not recommended for adult patients with severe kidney disease. The appropriate dosing for these patients has not been determined
  • Talk to your doctor about managing any side effect that bothers you or won’t go away

Once prescribed, you may receive a 14-day Treatment Initiation Pack* Sample during your appointment

*Treatment initiation pack can be 14-day or 28-day. You should use the pack as instructed by your doctor.

  • Your first week on treatment

    Once your doctor prescribes Otezla or Otezla XR, you can get started with a titration pack right away, with no blood work or routine lab testing required.

    Your doctor may send you home with a 14-day treatment initiation pack† sample. With this, you will slowly increase your treatment dose until you reach the recommended dose. This is known as titration.

    Titration is meant to help reduce the stomach and digestive side effects (nausea and diarrhea) that may occur when starting your prescription.

    Once you have completed your titration pack as instructed by your provider, you will then continue with either your Otezla 30 mg twice-daily, or start Otezla XR 75 mg once-daily prescription.

    People with severe kidney disease will follow a different schedule. Otezla XR is not recommended for patients with severe renal impairment. Be sure to take as directed by your healthcare professional.

    See the titration details for adults below:

    Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 & Beyond
    AM 10 mg 10 mg 10 mg 20 mg 20 mg 30 mg Or
     75 mg
    Otezla Extended-Release
    PM — 10 mg 20 mg 20 mg 30 mg 30 mg
     

    †Treatment initiation pack can be 14-day or 28-day. You should use the pack as instructed by your doctor.

    Kids and teens have a specific titration and dosage based on weight.‡ You can learn more about the first week and dosing for kids and teens here.

    When taking Otezla XR, you may sometimes see part of the tablet in your stool. This is not a cause for concern, this is the outer shell of the tablet. By the time you see it, the medicine inside has already been absorbed by your body.

    Talk to your doctor about managing any side effects that bother you or don’t go away.

    ‡Pediatric patients ages 6 and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis or active psoriatic arthritis.

  • What happens if I miss a dose?

    If you do miss a dose, talk to your doctor about when you should take your next one. Don’t double up on your dose. It’s important to take your medication as it was prescribed by your doctor.

Prescription delivery

Getting your prescription

Otezla will be delivered to your doorstep by a specialty pharmacy.
OTEZLA COMES TO YOU

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take Otezla 30 mg tablets or Otezla XR 75 mg extended-release tablets if you are allergic to apremilast or to any of the ingredients in Otezla/Otezla XR.

Otezla/Otezla XR can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Allergic reactions, sometimes severe. Stop using Otezla/Otezla XR 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.
  • 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/Otezla XR may increase the risk of complications from having severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Tell your doctor if any of these conditions occur.
  • 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/Otezla XR, 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/Otezla XR.
  • Weight loss. Your doctor should monitor your weight regularly. If unexplained or significant weight loss occurs, your doctor will decide if you should continue taking Otezla/Otezla XR. 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/Otezla XR.

Some medicines may make Otezla/Otezla XR less effective and should not be taken with Otezla/Otezla XR. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines.

The most common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, tension headache, and headache. These are not all the possible side effects with Otezla/Otezla XR. 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 XR.

APPROVED USES

Prescription Otezla®/Otezla XR® (apremilast) is used for the treatment of:

Active Psoriatic Arthritis:

  • OTEZLA: Adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 20 kg (44 lbs) with active psoriatic arthritis.
  • OTEZLA XR: Adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 50 kg (110 lbs) with active psoriatic arthritis.

Plaque Psoriasis:

  • OTEZLA/OTEZLA XR: Adult patients with plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
  • OTEZLA: Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 20 kg (44 lbs) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
  • OTEZLA XR: Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older and weighing at least 50 kg (110 lbs) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.

Oral Ulcers Associated with Behçet’s Disease:

  • OTEZLA/OTEZLA XR: Adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take Otezla 30 mg tablets or Otezla XR 75 mg extended-release tablets if you are allergic to apremilast or to any of the ingredients in Otezla/Otezla XR.

Otezla/Otezla XR can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Allergic reactions, sometimes severe. Stop using Otezla/Otezla XR 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.