Apremilast for Plaque Psoriasis User Reviews (Page 5)

• SKW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2019

"I have had plaque psoriasis for nearly 35 years. Tried all the topicals and just lived with it. I was having some minor depression, and the doctor gave me Wellbutrin, and about 2 weeks in, my body broke out in a Wellbutrin/bupropion-induced erythrodermic psoriasis, which is life-threatening. 85% of my body was covered with huge patches of open skin and extreme burning. You could feel the heat coming off my body. My dermatologist put me on 60 mg of prednisone that I took for a week until it made me so ill I couldn't function, and I stopped it. My skin cleared completely within a few days. At that point, I started Otezla. I'm 3 months in, and my skin is still clear, but it takes Otezla a few months to 'work,' so I'm not sure if I'm naturally clear or if the Otezla is actually doing something. The downside is the first few weeks I had a constant pressure headache, and after each dose, I would feel really lousy for a few hours. So, 3 months in, I have basically had a headache for 3 months and feel lousy, lethargic, and blah."

• Big...
• July 8, 2017

"I was on Humira for several years, and it worked great. Eventually, though, my body started making antibodies against the Humira, and it started working with less efficacy. I then switched to Otezla. I once did a trial study of a pill version of a ps med (the only one I had ever heard of at the time), and it worked great, so I was pretty hopeful as I started Otezla. For me, I could literally feel the Humira leaving my body. For those of you with bad ps, I started feeling those pins and needles again. I gave Otezla almost 6 months before calling my Rheum doc and asking if I could try something else, and here I am. I'm not scaling a ton, but I'm constantly itchy (hard to sleep). I've tried a lot, and some have worked. For me, Otezla doesn't."

• HGa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 5, 2018

"After trying other treatments for 22 years, to no avail, my derm gave me a few starter packs when Otezla first came out. Within 6 weeks, my skin was much better. Within 4 months, my psoriasis was GONE. I kept taking it for 3 years after a war with my insurance company (they finally covered it, thanks to my determined doctor who saw the results), and then decided to pull back to one a day instead of two, afraid they’d stop paying when I had to switch insurance companies. I even went on vacation for 2 weeks and forgot my pills entirely. My psoriasis still didn't come back and hasn't, despite the fact that I take maybe 3 pills a week. I think it may have actually cured me! This is truly a miracle drug for those whose systems can take it. And I never had side effects worse than some running-to-the-bathroom issues in the first months. God bless whomever discovered Otezla!!"

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2019

"I’ve been on Otezla for a week now, and have had loose stools and mild depression and foggy feelings, but am kicking myself for not reading reviews beforehand. It seems as though nobody who gave it high marks had tried stopping it yet—and everyone who’s stopped has had psoriasis come back worse. I’m stopping."

• Jea...
• September 30, 2016

"I have been taking Otezla since March 26, 2016 (6 mos). I had the typical GI and headache issues that are common, but I have also been struggling with a chronic cough. After years of being in a 'remission', the psoriasis started returning a couple of years ago, and I had a severe flare last winter that would not respond to anything. Ninety percent of my arms and legs were covered, with many lesions on my lower back and ears. The Otezla has cleared the psoriasis about 95%, but now to the cough. In July, I stopped coughing at night, and I hoped my body was adjusting, but alas, not. I caught a cold, and the cough is worse than ever. I am going to taper off, resolve the cough, and restart at a lower dose, hoping for a compromise."

• Mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 13, 2017

"For me, it works pretty well but not perfectly. It surely makes my psoriasis better, but it will not really disappear totally. I'd say it takes away 75% of everything, but when you stop with Otezla, it all comes back worse than ever. But a combination of Dervovat and Otezla works great for me. Here in Sweden, we pay a maximum of 220 USD/year for drugs. Then it's free :-). Since Otezla costs 750 USD/month here, I'm thankful for that."

• Wei...
• May 25, 2017

"This medication is like a miracle. I have gone from no fingernails, no toenails, no skin on my feet to almost completely healed. It takes some time for the medicine to kick in, but this has been a life changer. My fingernails are coming back, my psoriasis is much more manageable, all because of Otezla. The medicine I took before was a biologic, and it made me so sick, tired, fatigued, and depressed. So thank you to those that make this product, this is a great thing for people with horrible psoriasis. It is such an insidious disease."

• Mar...
• October 19, 2016

"I have been on Otezla for one month now, and my psoriasis is almost clear and no itching! I have scalp and ear psoriasis, and it also comes down on my forehead. Now you can see where it was by the discoloring, but no scales! I have had virtually no side effects. Once in a while, a slight headache that feels more like a sinus ache over one eye. No weight change. No nausea. Some wakefulness at night, but no tiredness during the day. I also take Tramadol for back pain. I don't see a big change in joint pain, but am hopeful for some relief. Happy so far!!"

• Sab...
• December 3, 2015

"I started on this in September 2014. Went through a very rough 3 months of sickness, some weight loss, dizziness, diarrhea, and some vomiting. Finally, they subsided. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago, I scheduled surgery on my back. The pre-surgery nurse told me to stop the medicine, so I did. I get a call this week from another doctor telling me the medicine shouldn't affect surgery, to continue as usual. So I start back up the same day, because of course both my hands and feet have already started with the blisters and peeling within 2 weeks of not taking the medicine. Now, 2nd day back on the medicine and I'm not functioning. Headache, can't open my eyes, if I do, I throw up. I don't know what to think."

• kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2017

"I am 8 weeks in now. Hands and scalp are pretty clear. I am noticing improvement on my legs and elbows. Feet are clearing nicely too. Still have occasional nausea in the morning. I feel better if I eat a good breakfast and hydrate. I am very optimistic I will be clear for summer. No headaches so far. No weight loss, unfortunately."

• HHa...
• March 7, 2017

"I gave it a 5 because of side effects. I have had guttate psoriasis for over 3 years now, and Otezla, combined with light therapy, is the only thing that has worked. I have been on it for almost a month now, and although it is working, the side effects are harsh. Everyone's body reacts differently, so don't let this discourage you, but for me, it has not been pleasant. The only reason I am still taking it is that it is clearing up my skin, and I am getting married in 17 days, and I don't want to be self-conscious about how I look, and my doctor said if I just stop, my guttate could flare up, which I don't need on my wedding day. I use Pepto-Bismol and Excedrin for tension headaches to control the symptoms, although it only controls it a tad bit."

• Reg...
• January 3, 2017

"My experience with Otezla was brutal. I had extreme issues with the company itself, it was as if no one was on the same page. Sometimes the medicine wouldn't get there before I ran out, and I was being told 10 different things from their reps. Trying to get insurance to assist did not happen. I would never recommend this product or company. My usage saw very, very minimal results after 3 months straight. I saw maybe a half of a percent change in appearance, etc. And what they don't tell you is if you have to stop taking this medication, re: can't afford it, etc., your psoriasis will not only fully return but it sends it into hyper drive, creating way worse conditions than you started with."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2019

"I started Otezla in April 2019. The nausea and stomach cramps were bad, but with OTC anti-diarrheal and a prescription for an anti-nausea med, I managed for the 2 weeks it took to end. My plaque psoriasis began to clear up, and I ended up being about 85% clear. Then, in August 2019, I began to flare up. I have one more month of pills left (insurance ended and I don't have hundreds of $ to pay out of pocket), then I'm done."

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

"I experienced way too much in 6 days. At first, things were okay. I got side effects not even mentioned in the starter pack. I ballooned up. My eye vision narrowed. The eyes changed to dark green from my beautiful blue eyes. My level of irritation at others I would give a full 11 out of 10. Plus the other side effects. Having said that, it's 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 and 1,800 calories. Once in a while, I will go to 2,000 calories. I stay away from processed foods when possible. I did get rid of the white spot on my back when I was doing that diet. Eating more veggies and less meat."

• Tom...
• April 18, 2018

"Had upset stomach for 5 days, but it went away. No other side effects. I took about 6 months to get the same level of clearance as Humira, which I was on before. No needles, no infections, no labs, essentially, I got clearance with zero side effects. Good luck to all."

• Won...
• June 19, 2017

"Thank you, Celgene, for creating such a wonderful medicine. I have been using it for a year, and it has really lessened the effects of my plaque psoriasis. As an added benefit, it has helped me to lose weight, and I no longer crave sweets! It's an all-around wonderful thing!"

• Kar...
• June 21, 2016

"I was on Otezla for 3 months and saw some clearing on my skin and definitely had severe headaches and diarrhea, but had to stop taking it because I developed a respiratory infection. At first, I thought there was no connection. After a month, I started back up and my skin became progressively worse, but I stuck it out as I was told by the dermatologist it takes time to adjust to it. By the 4th month, my skin was so badly inflamed it was pure agony to put clothes on. I broke it in places I never had psoriasis. To top it all off, I developed yet another respiratory infection and was told by the pulmonary doctor that it is a side effect of the medication and that I had to stop taking it due to its dangers to people with asthma, wish I knew that."

• Mar...
• September 9, 2018

"I started taking Otezla in 2015 for inverse psoriasis. I experienced nausea, diarrhea, migraine headaches, and extreme fatigue for the first 6 months. The intragluteal fold fissures and fissures under my breast and arms were gone in less than a month. I had plaque on my shins that was spreading painfully and rapidly, and my skin cleared in less than 3 months. The side effects were horrible, but tolerable. I reported the extreme fatigue because I was unable to drive a full ride home without calling for a ride when I was driving. I found myself pulling over to sleep because I couldn't keep my eyes open. I'm taking a stimulant now, and my skin remains clear. This medication has really helped me, and the side effects are now tolerable. I get sporadic headaches, nausea every day, but my skin is not open anymore."

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2016

"No real side effects except the loose stool. Seems to affect most everybody. I'm 70% clear now, was almost 99% clear for a time until my insurance co. decided it was going to cancel my script. Missed a few doses, never got back to where I was before. Only missed 3-4 days till I got the script back. I'd say never miss a day."

• MsT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2017

"I am now on my eighth day, and besides the slight nausea and the frequent bowel movements throughout the day (it's not affecting my work and taking care of my son's needs), I think that I'm going to stick it out. I was on the Enbrel SureClick last year, and because I caught an infection and my system was severely compromised, I was admitted to the hospital in serious condition; so, no more Enbrel. I stayed clear for a few months after being taken off of it, but once the psoriasis came back, it went rampant... please check back in a few weeks with an update."

• Anonymous
• December 27, 2016

"I took this medication last month, and the first 7 days were so bad I stopped. The normal side effects of nausea, diarrhea, and migraines. My doctor convinced me to give it another go. I must say it is not as bad the second time. I have been back on it for 3 days, and as long as I stay hydrated and take Tylenol as soon as I feel the headache come on, it hasn't been as bad, and I can manage the diarrhea. I wish I would have stuck through because I would be 2 months into treatment. Better late than ever. Don't give up."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2016

"Started Otezla 7 days ago. I usually tolerate new drugs well, but this was different. The nausea was the worst on the first three days, but I think my body is starting to adjust. I have spent the last week in bed, but I'm starting to see my plaque starting to clear. I will update in a week, hopefully, my body will be fully adjusted to Otezla."

• Wia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2016

"Update: Otezla is not working now like it did at first. My left hand is better, but my right regressed and is splitting in multiple places. Both feet, horrible flare now, thick peeling and lesions. My face now has spots where it didn't prior to Otezla. Headaches, migraines, and nausea are very common. How disappointing."

• Cli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2018

"I was prescribed Otezla about a year ago and was provided with a starter package. I was very pleased that my psoriasis, which is extreme, cleared almost 90% before I had finished the starter package. I continued with this medication for approximately 4 months thereafter, and the medication seemed to be effective. Unfortunately, after that four-month period, the psoriasis lesions returned - like gangbusters! - and the medication proved completely ineffectual. I restarted the medication twice, but it had no effect whatsoever, and my psoriasis was significantly worse than when I started the Otezla. It is only now, after approximately a year, that I seem to be returning to my original condition. I would be interested to know if anyone else had the experience of remission followed by an aggravated return of the psoriasis."

• ear...
• June 23, 2017

"I have been on and off Otezla for a year and a half now. I took it for about four months with a horrible upset stomach. I did see improvement with my plaque psoriasis on my knees and elbows. I quit Otezla because it made my stomach so upset. My psoriasis came back worse than ever, which freaked me out. Most other medications have even worse side effects, so I chose to try Otezla again. I have now been back on Otezla for about a year. My plaque psoriasis is 75% clear. If I do not stay on a rigid regimen of taking my pills twice a day, my psoriasis immediately comes back worse and my stomach will become upset again. Still not sure what I think of Otezla."