Apremilast for Plaque Psoriasis User Reviews (Page 2)

• Rya...
• November 4, 2015

"I have been on Otezla for 4 months. At first, the side effects were severe, and I was feeling sick every day, but I continued with the optimism that it would clear. Those side effects began to die down, but I started to feel more along the lines of depression and anxiety, feelings I had not previously had. All the while, in these 4 months, I have seen zero improvement on my skin, it is the same as if I had not been taking any medication at all. My doctor recommended staying on it for 2 more months to see if there are any results at all. But after having so much optimism when first starting, I have become disheartened and frustrated with both the side effects and the lack of results. I feel worse now than I did 4 months ago."

• Jau...
• November 30, 2016

"I have severe plaque psoriasis. I have tried coal tar shampoo, steroids, creams, lotions, injections to get rid of it. In less than 2 weeks, I went from embarrassing plaque on my forehead, all over my scalp, behind my ears, hand, foot, chest, and torso to the plaque being mostly gone, no more flaking skin, and the redness is starting to subside. I haven't felt this comfortable in my own skin in years. Yes, some of the stomach issues aren't great, but I'll take side effects that will go away once my body gets used to the medicine vs. being embarrassed to go on dates."

• Bar...
• October 3, 2017

"After reading endless negative reviews, I feel almost guilty to say how big a fan I am of Otezla. I developed mild to severe psoriasis around 33. Tried all the ointments, cortisone injections, laser, and light treatment options with light/temporary relief. Started Otezla 1/1/17, had immediate positive results. Little nausea at first, along with a slight headache and bowel issues, all side effects subsided within a couple of weeks. Haven't lost any weight. Not depressed or sad. In fact, quite the opposite - due to clear skin and confidence, I'm happier than I've been in years. I'm 99% clear! Never thought I'd be able to wear little shorts and be at the beach with clear skin again. Big fan and feel blessed. Hope this helped if you're on the fence."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2019

"I have had psoriasis symptoms for 25 years. I tried Ultravate, Dovonex, and light with no success. Changed my diet, symptoms faded, a few spots here and there. I had strep and developed guttate psoriasis. Tried cyclosporine, was like dying each dose. BP climbed to 200/100 but cleared up. Strep throat again, onto prednisone. I gained weight, couldn't sleep, and was moody. Insurance refused Otezla. Doc put me on methotrexate. Methotrexate requires blood draws and liver biopsies; worked on the spots caused strong brain pain. Discontinued methotrexate, started Otezla. Initially diarrhea and headaches, the headaches ended after two or three weeks, the diarrhea lasted 3 weeks. The sores on my hands were the first to go, then the irritated skin on my forearms. It's been 4 weeks and the progress is slow but visible. I use the Otezla app to track the spots using photos. The wife noted she is seeing clearer skin also."

• Hsa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2019

"Today is day 10 of my starter pack. I have to say that I was very afraid to take this medication because of the reviews. There were only a few that were positive. But so far, so good. Small headaches, but I get them anyway. I think I’ve run to the bathroom once. I always take medicine after eating. It has definitely helped more than hurt. If it changes, then I will re-review this. But so far, I’m happy, and I can tell a change in my psoriasis this early. Nothing has helped as much as Otezla, the creams are for the birds. CBD didn’t help. Enbrel didn’t help, and it hurt more than helped. The only thing that is relatable to this treatment is tanning bed sessions at the local parlor when I don’t do, because that will hurt more than help in the end. So I’m very pleased. Don’t knock it before you try it. Trust me, it’s helped, and again I’m 10 days in."

• 1 m...
• April 15, 2017

"I was reluctant to try this, but after 20+ years of fighting psoriasis, I figured it was worth a try. I read all the reviews first, so I'm contributing to the database for others. I had some stomach discomfort for a few days, some brain fog, and a few nights of bad sleep. My skin started to clear by day 5 (not sure about nails yet), but I really struggled with the afternoon second dose, so I'm sticking to just 1 tab in the AM and nothing else. That keeps my skin about 80% clear, and I can take care of the rest via topical steroids. A month into this, and I still feel a little 'high' after my AM tab, but very happy with the results. Good luck."

• Car...
• April 25, 2016

"I have had severe psoriasis on my arms, legs, knees, back around, my waist, my buttocks, inside my urinary tract, and scalp. I work with middle school students, and some would ask questions about the thick plaque on my body. Some were sweet, some fearful that they would catch it, and some couldn't have cared less. After taking the Otezla pills, I saw rapid improvement within a few days. I also sparingly use endear spray, not often. The first two weeks, I either vomited or had diarrhea after I took the Otezla pills. After two weeks, I started taking the pill one hour after breakfast and one hour after dinner. No problems now. This pill has been a miracle pill for me. My entire body has healed up. My depression has gone, and I feel smooth."

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2019

"My doctor gave me 2 starter packs, so I could slowly work my way up to tolerance without side effects. After about two weeks on the starter dose, I had noticeably clearer skin. I also had throbbing headaches, fatigue, and severe diarrhea. After 2.5 months (still not taking the full dose), the headaches are not a problem, but acid reflux, diarrhea, fatigue, and extreme (sometimes debilitating) nausea are issues. I love the clear skin, but cannot tolerate constantly feeling sick, so yesterday I took Otezla for the last time."

• eer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2019

"I was okay with pushing through the vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and headaches. Then all of a sudden, the muscles in my legs cramped and seized up. Unrelenting, excruciating pain for 3 days. Went to a sports medicine clinic. They gave me a shot and muscle relaxers. Things started to improve. Well, yesterday, Christmas Eve, my muscles in my legs, then in my arms and hands, started up. I started getting pustular psoriasis in places I never had it. Horrible. Cannot sleep. I purposefully missed a dose of this stuff to see what would happen, and after about 12 hours it faded. Needless to say, it ruined my Christmas, and I’m stopping this drug."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2019

"I have psoriasis on the soles of my feet only. Tried steroid cream to not much luck. Doc started me on Otezla, but after 20 days, the side effects are horrible. Missed work from headaches, cramping, diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, and joint pain. Joint pain started just 3 days ago with starting at the shoulders, then elbows, wrist in right arm, now going to left arm. Eating Tums like Tic Tacs candy."

• Chu...
• January 29, 2020

"My psoriasis healed quickly, however, three weeks into the starter packs, I developed what I can only describe as interior tremors. It's been 2 months with no medication, and I still feel like I'm shaking inside anytime that I sit still. It's hard to visually see, but my wife can hold my arm and feel me shaking. I would not recommend this medication."

• Har...
• January 9, 2020

"The percentages here are pretty close to what the clinical trials have shown. Only about 30-35% of people get to 75% clear. That's roughly the same percentage of people who gave a 7 or higher review. But the severity of some of the side effects is certainly concerning, as is the development of even worse psoriasis when the drug is stopped (and sometimes before). At best, it is a tricky cost/benefit call. Mainly comes down to whether someone is feeling lucky! Or not."

• joe...
• September 21, 2019

"Was on Enbrel and about 95% clear after over 40 years of itch... Side effects were not bad, stinging on injection... Some bruising after 5 years... And needle aversion. I just started getting emotional every time I was going to inject... So I asked the doc for Otezla... All those slow-mo commercials couldn't be lying, could they? After 13 days of Otezla, the headache was constant and unpleasant... Do you know the sugar headache one gets after drinking too much red wine from the day prior? How about that headache every minute of the day? The nausea came on too... An acid reflux I never experienced in my life... Nothing could get me to endure that every day. I wasn't vomiting, but I was 99% uncomfortable. Stopped Otezla 13 days into the titration pack... Threw it in the garbage along with my 30-day bottle. Filed a formal complaint with the FDA.gov site too. Was thinking about Cosyntx, but I'm not sure after reading those reviews. These reviews for Otezla are dismal and accurate."

• Jul...
• November 29, 2015

"Side effects went away completely after a few weeks. My severe skin psoriasis of 30 years is 75% gone. It took 2-3 months to fully work. That 75% clearance is not perfect, but it means so much to me. The monster dandruff is greatly reduced. My scalp is no longer flaming red lizard skin. The plaques on my forehead and neck are now light pink patches. I no longer frantically itch all day. I look healthy! Otezla appears to interfere with the absorption of anti-depressants or counteract it, but increasing the antidepressant dose a bit fixed the problem for me immediately. Take Otezla with crackers or a half a bagel, it helped calm the stomach. Also, ask about the zero co-pay program, it took 5 minutes to register, and I save $85 monthly."

• Jef...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 16, 2019

"I have been on Otezla for almost a year now for skin psoriasis. At first, it started working and clearing my skin, then it started to come back in the spring of 2019. Then when August came around, all of a sudden, all my psoriasis is gone, even the pustules are gone! On my hands, shins, and elbows, my hands have normal color and softness again. I take one pill a day, I was prescribed to take 2 a day, but with the side effects like diarrhea at times and some minor headaches. I have had more stiffness lately, but my skin is clear, and I don't use the topical creams anymore. I see my dermatologist in January and will go from there."

• Ang...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 30, 2019

"I have been taking Otezla since October 2018. Within a few weeks, I have seen results, I no longer have patches anywhere on my body-100% gone. Some side effects I do have are tension headaches. Not every day, but only once a week. This prescription says no need to take with meals, but I have to eat something before I take it in the morning, else I'll feel dizzy and jittery. Overall, I'm so happy with the results. After dealing with psoriasis for so many years, I finally can wear shorts and short-sleeved shirts (:"

• Kas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2016

"I had a little bit of an upset stomach once and two nights where I didn't get a full night's sleep. Otezla worked within days, and I am 99% clear. After 30 years of psoriasis affecting almost every area of my life in some way, I am enjoying such relief."

• Wia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2016

"After failing Enbrel and Humira, my doc moved me to a different class. Otezla has been great for my severe psoriasis on the palms of my hands and psoriatic arthritis. I went from 100% coverage with extremely painful lesions, unable to use my hands, to 100% clearance in three weeks. My rheumatologist and I both are amazed with the results. I will put up with the side effects as the massive improvement makes it all worth it. Side effects I've had: headaches/migraines, indigestion, stomach pain, loose stools, and nausea. All but headaches have started to subside as of my 3rd week in! Very, very happy here!!"

• jro...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2019

"I have had psoriasis since my early 40s and was always able to maintain it and occasionally send it into remission using topical steroids (Clobetasol). My dermatologist strongly recommended Otezla to me, and I was dumb enough to make the switch. It gave me wicked headaches, and I swear I'm more forgetful. After months of being on it, I watched my psoriasis progressively get worse, and worse, to the point there isn't a part of my body that doesn't show it now. 100% this is the result of being on Otezla, as it is the only thing that changed in my treatment. Otezla was the worst decision I have ever made, and by the volume of posts I'm now finding all over the internet, my experience is far from an anomaly. Stay away from Otezla."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 18, 2019

"Because of another medical condition, I am unable to use the biologic drugs. I have been taking Otezla since March 2018. Within 2-3 months, all the outbreak areas were clear. I need to use a topical on the hairlines of my scalp occasionally. I had already had digestive issues before taking Otezla and had a real issue at the end of last year. Stopping Otezla temporarily did not relieve the symptoms, so I restarted it. The digestive issues are mostly gone now as I retired and lost a lot of stress. I also take a really good probiotic since my gut was an issue. I also use a liquid supplement for my joints and drink electrolyte-enhanced water. The diarrhea caused dehydration and severe muscle pain, so adding the electrolytes made a huge difference. Since I started, I have lost 35 pounds. It started slow but seems to be picking up. I have plenty of weight left I can lose, believe me. Eating healthier helps with energy levels."

• Tho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2017

"This worked very well, but I had bad nausea and diarrhea, so 2 months in, almost ALL my psoriasis was gone. So I stopped taking it for a week, the side effects were gone, BUT the psoriasis just returned, and worse. If you can handle feeling like you want to throw up all the time and soil yourself at any given time, try it. What they don't tell you in the ads is, yeah, it works, but you'll probably have to take this med for the rest of your life. If you stop, the psoriasis will return even worse. Anyway, this has been my experience."

• big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2020

"Started Otezla for psoriasis, and at first was convinced that finally, after suffering with psoriasis for over 50 years, I had discovered a cure. Well, was I wrong. After 1 month of runny nose, heartburn, and lower back pain, I had a sore throat and excessive mucus. Saw my PCP, and she diagnosed me with an upper respiratory infection and started to treat it with antibiotics for 10 days. After 3 days, I had difficulty swallowing and felt worse. Revisited the PCP 2 more times and was not getting better. Out of desperation, I discontinued the Otezla, and after 2 days, I was much better-no more runny nose, no more heartburn, and did not feel depressed by not feeling well. Unfortunately, within 4 days of stopping the Otezla, my psoriasis came back in places I never had it before, so I don't know what's next. Prior to Otezla, I had been on Enbrel for 20 years, and it stopped being effective."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2016

"I've been on Otezla for 3 weeks now, and all I can say is that this drug really works. I've been suffering from psoriasis for 6 years now. It mostly affected my scalp, but it also started to spread to the rest of my body. After just 3 weeks, the patches on my skin began to fade. My scalp is still scaly and itchy, but I can already see the improvement in that area too. As for side effects, I had some slight headaches and stomach aches at the beginning and more frequent bowel movements, but it didn't really affect my daily life whatsoever. I would really recommend this drug to anyone whose life has been affected by plaque psoriasis."

• JM9...
• November 22, 2016

"I have been on Otezla since February. My insurance would not cover it, so I am part of the company's bridge program. My psoriasis is completely gone--I haven't had normal, clear skin since I was a baby, and I am 36. I finally can wear shorts and tank tops without being self-conscious that my scaly, red skin is ugly and people are looking at it. When I first started the medication, I did have some bad headaches and nausea. It went away after a few weeks if you just stick with it. I recently went away and forgot to bring the Otezla with me, so I didn't take it for about 5 days, and now that I am back on it, I have headaches and nausea again, but I anticipate that they will subside like they did before. I haven't had any other side effects."

• Tim...
• May 6, 2017

"Works great! Slight headache to start, which doesn't last. After 4 months, 80% clear, and I had psoriasis over 75% of my body. Now, after 6 months on it, I am 99% clear. Unbelievable! This med has worked for me, and I take/use nothing else in conjunction."