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How Does Otezla® (apremilast) Work for Plaque Psoriasis
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 >

How does

Otezla work?

Otezla treats plaque psoriasis where it starts.

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What causes plaque psoriasis?

Plaque psoriasis affects more than 8 million people in the US, so if you have it, you’re far from alone. There’s no simple explanation for when and why people get this condition, but we do know it has to do with an overactive immune system causing inflammation.

The itchy, red/purplish patches that appear on your skin actually start inside your body. They’re caused by a series of events triggered by your cells.

What can happen:

Immune system signal
first step of Plaque Psoriasis
Your immune system sends out the wrong signals, causing cell growth to speed up
Cell growth and build up
second step of Plaque Psoriasis
The cells grow faster than they fall off, causing them to build up on your skin
Plaque psoriasis patches and plaques on arm
third step of Plaque Psoriasis
Uncomfortable plaques show up on your body, most commonly on the scalp, elbows, and knees

Otezla takes on plaque psoriasis where it starts

Here’s how Otezla is thought to work:

Cell growth and build up
Plaque psoriasis happens when an overactive immune system causes cells to grow too quickly
Enzyme in immune PDE4 cell growth
An enzyme in immune and skin cells called PDE4* is believed to play a part in this speedy cell growth
*phosphodiesterase 4
PDE4 inhibitor
Otezla works inside cells to reduce PDE4 activity
Plaque psoriasis patches and plaques on arm
Less PDE4 activity means less inflammation and fewer plaque psoriasis symptoms

The exact way in which Otezla helps improve symptoms isn’t completely understood.

Watch this video to understand how Otezla is different from other plaque psoriasis treatments

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Find out how Otezla can help you achieve clearer skin after just 4 months.
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What to expect on Otezla

Find out about managing side effects, seeing results, and more.
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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,