Apremilast User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• LynnS...
• August 19, 2016

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "I was optimistic about Otezla because nothing else worked. I tried Humira, creams, Kenologe injections..everything. The 30day sample pack was like a miracle and then the let down happened. My Psoriasis got so bad that it was bleeding and my depression was crazy. The headaches were everyday and I was screaming and crying for no reason. I stopped the Otezla waited a month and tried it again to make sure I was right. Unfortunately I was correct. Otezla didn't work for me."

• Dead...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 1, 2016

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "I am 60 and I have had Psoriatic Arthritis since I was 20. So 40 years of trying all kinds of topical medications, cortisone creams, sun light and UVB treatments, Dead Sea Trips and eventually Methotrexate. 6 months ago, my Dermatogist suggested I try Otezla. My Insurance refused to pay for it and suggested all kinds of Biologic medications. I refused the Biologic meds after reading of dangerous side effects. Otezla approved me on a temporary Bridge program while we are fighting the Insurance. Initial results were astonishing. Both the Arthritis pain and the Psoriasis were gone! I stopped taking the Methtrexate. About 3 months after I started taking Otezla, some Psoriasis patches came back, though the Arthritic pain is minimal."

• linni...
• January 2, 2016

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "Couldn't go up 1 flight of stairs without my heart rate jumping to 140 and was very short of breath. I also experienced severe pain in hip joints 40% of the time. My body felt like it was dying. I was only on it 1 month."

• Jmj
• April 29, 2016

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "Initially stomach ache, diarhea and headache, feeling of unease. After 2 months most side effects gone. Never any at night so I make sure I take on full stomach. This helps me. It has been highly effective. Psoriasis started to clear within weeks. Now 99 % clear. When a spot shows up I hit it with one or two doses of topical and it's gone. So far great."

• Mr Ra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2019

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "I experienced way too much in 6 days. At first things were okay. I got side effects not even said in the starter pack. I ballooned up. My eyes vision narrowed. The eyes changed to dark green from my beautiful blue eyes. My level of irritation at at others I would give a full 11 out of 10. Plus the other side effects. Having said that it not for everyone. Some people respond better than others. I am going back to my diet that was helping my Psoriasis. Pretty much no eating out. I only eat between 1,000-1,800 calories. Once in awhile I will go to 2,000 calories. I stay away from process foods when it possible. I did get rid of white spot on my back when I was doing that diet. Eating more vegges and less meat."

• Carol...
• July 13, 2016

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "Otezla has changed my life for the better. My arms, legs, stomach, scalp and personal areas were covered with psoriasis for decades. It was very depressing, I hid under clothes no thought everyone was staring at my horrible looking skin. I had tried every ointment and cream know to treat psoriasis. Nothing worked. I finally, went to anew dermatologist and asked him about Otezla - I have been researching many oral melds but were afraid of the side affects. He said that Otezla could work, that the side affects were minimal but the success rates were not super high. I started on the Otezla pills long with Enstilar spray cream. After 2 months I was free and clear. It has been miraculous, my skin is smooth, & my self confidence has gone up."

• Shado...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2017

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been on Otezla for 2 months now and have experienced a remarkable clearing of my lesions. Both knees, which were 90% affected have almost entirely cleared up. The face lesions have dried up and are almost unnoticeable now. The scalp, which was almost completely affected, has cleared up to the point that I'll soon be getting rid of the ever-present ball cap! (YES!!!) I feel that in one month, at my follow up appointment with my dermatologist, I am going to kiss her smack dab on the lips! My Wife has given me permission. Still haven't noticed a pronounced difference in my two thumbs, which have swollen at the joint over the last year or so. Hopefully, they will get better as well so I can get back to playing the guitar."

• Josch...
• September 1, 2017

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "I took Otezla twice, two years apart. My first experience helped my psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis within 3 months with minimal side effects. I had loose stool for a couple of days and a mild headache. THEN I developed a very aggressive breast cancer and was advised to stop Otezla.. I underwent chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomies and reconstruction. One year later, I began taking Otezla again because my psoriasis and PA came back with a vengeance, as predicted. Four months into treatment, I developed breast cancer in my sternum. Once again, I quit the Otezla and have since undergone radiation treatment. I did not tick the boxes for a patient at high risk for breast cancer. I feel my cancer may well have been a direct result of Otezla"

• Georgia
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2019

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "I’ve been taking Otezla for two months. It started out okay but now the side effects are starting - headaches, insomnia, agitation (including shaky hands) and extreme nausea. Not sure if this is related to the Otezla, but I have bronchitis which is actually a side effect. My psoriasis hasn’t started to clear, so I’m going to stop. The side effects are too overwhelming."

• Moldy...
• December 1, 2015

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "I was on the 28 day starter pack made it to the regular dose of 30 mg 2x aday Severe headaches like I have never experienced before, I have had migraines for over 40 years these were worse. MD reduced dose to 30 once a day. Still had some headaches, jaw pain and nausea the side effects have outweighed the good- no real improvement in hands - will stop taking Otezla It also made me extremely moody and angry."

• cdep
• July 23, 2017

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "Since the first pill on Otezla I started to get severe sinus headaches that could not be remedied by Tylenol or Advil. Nasal congestion began shortly after that as did steady head pain. I am now 7 days on the pills and I stopping due to these headaches, loose bowel movements, sinus congestion and pain, headaches and most importantly INSOMNIA!! I have been up 2 days straight and have stopped these pills last night. Since being on these pills I have not slept more than 2 hrs per night if at all. My foot pain has been lessened as well as the pain in my fingers but the side effects are just not worth it. Still getting sharp pains in my toes and difficulty with hip joint and knees while I did not have before starting Otezla. Not the drug for me!"

• Shawn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2016

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "Just one week in and my scalp is almost 100% clear. MY forehead is 100% clear. MY stomach , sides, back and legs have stopped producing scales and is starting to clear to a light pink , not red and angry anymore. THE only side effect I am having thus far is the tension headaches , in which I started taking i.b. profin when I start feeling it come on. So far I am very pleased with the medication."

• DCHr
• April 13, 2017

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "I've been using it for about 18 months. Had used ointments, creams, etc. They helped. This has me about 90% cleared 80% of the time, even in winter (when it's usually worse). No real side effects -- upset stomach the first few days but that went away. Miracle drug so far for me."

• Fionnd
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2016

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "My dermatologist put me on this medication using starter packs while they worked with the insurance to approve it. I lost my appetite completely I was exhausted, I almost lost my hearing and I got a serious upper respiratory infection. I had constant diarrhea and nausea and practically no sleep. I had to quit when I got the respiratory infection as I could hardly breathe. Why on earth is more testing not done with these drugs. The pharmaceutical companies churn our arthritis medication one after the other all of them with horrible side affects and outrageous pricing. How dare they try to charge almost $3000 a month for a drug with such poor results. Back to methotrexate and ibuprofen at least I can afford them."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2018

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "I’ve been on Otezla for almost 6 weeks for psoriatic arthritis. It improved my psoriasis almost immediately, but then the change slowed way down. No patches have totally cleared yet, though they do look better. No noticeable effect on pain yet. Unfortunately, the GI side effects seem to be getting worse instead of better, to the point where I don’t want to eat anything. I’m also consistently having headaches and increased fatigue. I’m going to try taking only one pill a day, but if that doesn’t get the side effects to a manageable level, I’ll have to stop."

• Sudar...
• November 16, 2019

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "I have severe plague psoriasis. I have been taking this for now 6 months. First 3 month it controlled and most of my skin looks clear. But now it’s back to severe situation. I am still taking but no result. It’s expensive but no result is really a bad experience. I don’t smoke, drink and even eat healthy food."

• Kgano
• July 18, 2019

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "I initially started Humira while in the military, and it worked wonders for me. I was basically clear of all psoriasis and it also helped with my colitis. After retiring, I went without for about 6 months until I could get back in with another dermatologist. I told them I was previously on humira, and she decided to go a different route? More creams and foams. Until I had a flare up and she decided to put me on otezla. It worked but at a cost. It’s been almost 3 months of otezla and the side effects have become unbearable for me. You have to make sure you eat something for sure, and you still might feel sick after taking it. Headeache and nausea can be expected. I actually had to be prescribed Zofan because of it. I’ve lost at least 10 pounds also. All in all, it’s a struggle and a routine that’s hard to get used to."

• carro...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 9, 2016

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "I have tried other biological and nothing worked. I started on the Otezla and it immediately started to see a difference. I have Sjogrens Secondary with the dry mouth and dry eyes and the Otezla stopped those symptoms and I was able to come off that medicine. My psoriasis is gone by 95 percent. I use a topical for the spot on my elbow. I occasionally have headaches and pain in my knuckles, but overall it is life changing for me."

• JustMe
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2015

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "After about a month and a half, with both psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, I don't think Otezla has helped either condition for me. Side effects have been minimal; very mild diarrhea and some limited loose stools. Joints seem the same to slightly worse, patches seem the same. After the fight I had to put up for insurance approval,.....the results are a huge disappointment thus far. Will continue to four months. This is my very first, non-topical, med."

• MDSX
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2016

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "I've been using Otezla for around three months now. I had some minor side effects of loose stool and headaches. They have subsided and don't affect me anymore. I'm probably 80% clear now. This time of year I normally have a large increase of lesions. Not only have the lesions gone away, no new ones have formed. It will be nice to wear shorts and short sleeve shirts again. For me, this med has worked great."

• Huck
• January 3, 2017

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been taking Otezla for about 8 weeks. I experienced nausea, frequent bowel movements, headaches, and a lack of appetite although the severity tapered off after a few weeks, they still continue. As I did more research into others who have taken it I have experienced 2 trips to the ER due to inflammation in my feet and I feel so fatigued and don't want to do anything...but I feel better if I move around a bit...but I get wore out pretty easy and then my feet are killing me. I'd like to say I feel better than when I started... and in some ways I do. I used to feel like my joints were fusing together, I couldn't walk up or down stairs, and I couldn't open a bottle of water. I feel a lot looser now and can do some things. I still hurt."

• Glicks
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 21, 2016

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "I've had psoriasis for 35 years and arthritis for perhaps 30. For about 9 years I took Enbrel and methotrexate with very good results. Despite my long-term success with this combo, about 6 months ago I decided to replace Enbrel with Otezla, primarily because I wanted to decrease my use of immunosuppressants and because of the cancer risks associated with Enbrel. For the first 2-3 weeks I had the expected side effects, the worst being having to move my bowels 5-6 times a day. Also some headaches. Now, six months in, I think I am ready to go back to Enbrel. My scalp psoriasis used to be almost non-existent but is now getting bad. Same for my elbows/forearms. I also have many aches and pains that I've never had before...."

• Jojo
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 21, 2019

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "It worked ok for the first six months. However, depression, worsened insomnia, eventually an extreme reaction of high heart rate and blood pressure landing me in the emergency room. I would not recommend this drug to someone who already has insomnia, or an already high or borderline high heart-rate/blood pressure."

• Pound...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 30, 2015

Otezla (apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis "I started taking this in August 2014. Initially, I did get the headaches and nausea. Once I got through the starter pack it was starting to resolve. I have lost about 18 lbs, but that's a good thing. I'm not finding that it works really well for me - not like the injectables. I have large patches of psoariasis on my legs and arms, and a smaller one on my scalp. I'm using steroid ointment on these but nothing is making them go away. I was still hurting pretty badly, even with the drug. My rheumatologist gave me something called Leflunomide 20 mg(Arrava) to boost the Otezla. It seemed to work a little better for my joints after that. I am still on 5 mg oral prednisone and Diclofenac 2x a day for inflammation. I'm a pretty tough case."

• tjm
• November 24, 2015

Otezla (apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis "I've been on Otezla for 4 weeks now. I've had partial clearing on arms and chest. Still have plaques on my legs, but not as itchy as before. Scaling has been reduced. I do have 3-4 bowel movements a day, mainly in morning and afternoon. Have not had nausea or headaches. No depression either. Some minor weight loss. I'm happy with the results so far and hoping that this is the answer. Been dealing with psoriasis for over 40 years now. Started on scalp, but over the past couple of years the legs have been the worst. Been using creams and UV light. The UV light did work at first, but then seemed to be ineffective. Never had the desire to use injections."