Apremilast for Psoriatic Arthritis User Reviews (Page 5)

• how...
• January 19, 2016

Apremilast "Thought this would be a perfect treatment for newly diagnosed but relatively minor hand PsA for the past 13 years. Did experience some weight loss that I attribute to frequent and loose BMs. There was a detectable mood change, but again, tolerable. My worst problem was muscle spasms that started in one hip, migrated to the lower back, and then to the other hip, to the point of not sleeping. I stopped and ramped up slower, which seemed to help, but started coming back. Never had any previous problems with side effects of any meds before. I have what should be good benefits working for a world-class employer, but they would not cough up without trying the immune suppressive stuff first. Currently on sulfasalazine, which seems to help enough."

• Ote...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2021

Apremilast "My doctor put me on Otezla for my psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. I have been on it now for a month and a half. Last week, I went to the ER with severe stomach pain. After having a CT, blood work, and other tests that came up with nothing to cause this pain, I went home with a prescription for pain meds. After reviewing 'new' things in my life, I decided that Otezla would have to be the next thing to try. So I contacted my doctor, and she agreed to have me go off of it for a week to see what would happen. Every day since then my pain has lessened and lessened. Now, four days later, I can breathe without pain, get up by myself, walk semi-normally, and go almost all day without a pain pill. I can only expect that this will continue until the pain is totally gone - at least I hope that will be the result as there is no other reason for this pain. I hope no one else experiences what I have. I will be dropping Otezla permanently."

• Hau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2018

Apremilast "When ointments are not as effective as they used to be, I started researching other treatments for psoriasis. It's a constant battle on my head, and wearing black is becoming more difficult. I'm not considering injection therapy, so Otezla seemed the perfect solution. Side effects began on day 2 and started to subside after 2 weeks. However, the tension headaches got worse, and I stopped treatment after 2 1/2 weeks. I saw little impact on my psoriasis, but I probably didn't take it long enough. However, my psoriatic arthritis was completely gone, which of course is acting up again. I so wished this would have worked for me."

• Sev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2023

Apremilast "Ever since I started this a few weeks ago, I wake up with terrible headaches, vivid dreams, and night sweats. I can live with nausea, but the upper belly back pain and indigestion are too much. Not sure so far if it is worth what I’m living with."

• Ana...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2024

Apremilast "It really helps, but I have had a cough all day, and before I go to bed, I always throw up this bubbly phlegm, then I feel better. I have taken it for several months and wanted to think it wasn't the med, but since the hurricane, I have been without it for 15 days and have had no cough."

• Bri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 25, 2018

Apremilast "I took this drug for 11 months and finally had to come off it. From February to May, I did notice an improvement with pain, but in June, my hands and feet had such nerve pain I could hardly walk and had trouble planting my little garden. I was told the nerve pain could not be from Otezla. From day one, I had 2 hours with diarrhea and was told that too would pass. It didn't. I stopped the drug in December before Christmas, and the nerve pain and diarrhea completely stopped. Mind you, I still have sore feet and hands but feel so comfortable. I had been on Methotrexate and Humira before this drug, and they too had massive problems. I have always had Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), but now my surgeon said it was undiagnosed diverticulitis that I had kept controlled by diet. These drugs made my bowel much worse, and now I need a section removed. How sad is that? Is there even a good drug out there?"

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2017

Apremilast "On Otezla for a short time, 4 weeks. Must come off it because of surgery, right shoulder rotator cuff. Up to this point, minor side effects, but did cause some sleep issues, which could also be contributed to by my upcoming surgery. Had such good results with biologics for 15 yrs. until they lost their effectiveness. Now, as I get older, 67, would like to try something less immunosuppressive. Not encouraged by comments I read. But everyone is different, so I will stick it out for four months."

• non...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2021

Apremilast "After getting psoriatic arthritis, I was told to sign up for Otezla with the no copay card by a doctor. So I went online, got the no copay card, and started the process to obtain Otezla. The company sent me a 28-day starter pack. And that was it. At my next doctor visit, the doctor asked how it was going. I explained the 28-day supply I received was great, but I didn't get anymore. The doctor had a nurse call to find out why I only received one month's worth. The nurse managed to get another month sent to me after that visit, and again, that was all. When I called the doctor to explain I only received one month, I was told by the nurse that the company said I was noncompliant. The company never told me what I was noncompliant for. So I suppose if you get the no copay card, this is the way they treat people."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2022

Apremilast "Female, 54. Scalp psoriasis for 15 years. Psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis for 15 years. Giant cell arteritis, 2022. Mild atherosclerotic disease in main arteries for 4 years. Was put on Otezla 6 weeks ago. Had loose bowel movements for 4 weeks, settled now. No real other side effects. I don't drink, I don't smoke. I'm 3 stone overweight. Stopped eating processed food, fried food, crisps, chocolate, cake, fizzy pop. I feel Otezla is suiting me now, scalp calmed down, it used to bleed and was so scaly. Good luck to you all, it's not easy, is it? Just try small changes to enhance the drugs, not rely on them and carry in bad patterns. Personally, I quite like this earth we live on, so trying my hardest to stay on it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 30, 2017

Apremilast "I have been taking Otezla for psoriatic arthritis as well as psoriasis. At first, I thought it was a miracle drug helping with the pain and the patches. I did have terrible (and I mean terrible) problems with my stomach. While it improved slightly, after a year and a half, it still kills my stomach. I am going to get off of it because it stopped helping with the pain, and my skin is worsening. I stuck with it despite the nonstop bowel movements (and headaches) because I thought it was helping, but now that I'm reverting back, it isn't worth the nearly debilitating side effects."

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2016

Apremilast "Started taking Otezla 12 days ago. I have experienced headache, nausea, fatigue, swollen and painful joints, upper right abdominal pain, swollen belly on the right side, feet pain, back pain, mild diarrhea, no ambition, hoarseness, light-colored stools. I still have to take indomethacin for joint inflammation and pain. I thought this drug would relieve my pain and prevent inflammation and further joint damage, instead, it has made it worse. I don't see the advantage of continuing to use it along with an anti-inflammatory drug. I might as well stick with indomethacin."

• GAg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2018

Apremilast "My dermatologist put me on Otezla for granuloma annulare. Mine is rare in that it is widespread and 'recalcitrant.' I have been on it for almost 2 weeks now. I have nausea and bathroom urgency throughout the day, though it is lessening as the days go by. I have not yet reached the full dose as I was instructed to take a dose only on a full stomach and I am too nauseous to eat two large meals a day. So I'm up to 30 mg once a day. The headaches have mostly subsided, so it gives me hope that I will get acclimated to the other side effects. However, I am so uncomfortable and full of aches and pains and exhaustion that I can't tell if I'm depressed or not! I sure don't feel like doing anything at all. So time will tell. I revisit the derm at 5 weeks. So far, I have not noticed any changes in my GA lesions."

• syb...
• March 29, 2018

Apremilast "Though I had no side effects when taking other biologics - or any meds - I had terrible respiratory stuff while on this, so went off after a week or so. The way they tested it didn't allow me to know what to expect, as they seemed to have data only at a 4-month or so mark. I wouldn't recommend it."

• Jbu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2021

Apremilast "I started taking Otezla last week. I have had severe diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and mild dizziness. My doctor told me to wait until all symptoms disappear, then start with one pill and see. I don’t know how I’m going to tolerate this drug."

• Bat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 12, 2024

Apremilast "I have been on Otezla for 2 years and in this time I never lost weight or had intestinal upsets. Fast forward to 6 months ago, I had to STOP taking 2 pills a day and switch to one. I felt like my stomach was being eaten alive, which caused me to become anemic. I am still on one pill, and if I don’t eat before taking it, the pain is pretty bad. It doesn’t happen immediately, it occurs a few hours later and affects me for an entire day or two. I also had to have an iron infusion because they couldn’t get the anemia under control. I’m still okay with Otezla, but I think you need to pay attention to issues that arise."

• Spe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2022

Apremilast "I have been taking this medication for 10 weeks now. My psoriasis has progressively gotten worse. I'm about 90% covered. I'm miserable. The nausea, diarrhea, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, muscle cramps, stinging itching pain... Yeah, I need to get off of this medication. I've become agoraphobic, I don't want anyone to see me like this. I'm miserable."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 30, 2022

Apremilast "It worked with most side effects in the first month. My hands felt great, 30% swelling down. The toughest part of the long-term plan is being able to pay for it. At first, it is free, all is good until the copay runs out. Next, the pharmacy calls to say your prescription is ready, but they need an extra $1200 to refill. Next, I check my insurance plan. I picked the highest-level plan, the most expensive. They say, oh no, we won’t pay until it hits $4500. Then after that, we will only cover 70%, that would leave again $1200 a month to pay out of pocket. I don’t know anyone who is able to be on this drug for any long term. It’s the old drug dealer scam. Give it to you for free until you get hooked on it. Then start squeezing the money out of you. The company that makes this drug is no better than the street dealers. I had no choice but to stop taking it. Too bad they can’t make it affordable for the average person."

• BSK...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2024

Apremilast "Interestingly Otezla can work at a once daily dose with fewer side effects. I never got to the twice daily dose & it was stopped by my doc because of weight loss & fatigue. However, I went back on it when other meds weren't helpful & tolerated it better."

• Mad...
• December 22, 2021

Apremilast "I started this medication about 3 weeks ago. I have psoriatic arthritis. I am having all the side effects of the medication. I’m going to the bathroom immediately after eating something small. I’m going to try to make it to 8 weeks. It has helped my pain levels, but it hits hard on the stomach. Hopefully, it goes away in the weeks to come. I’m allergic to steroids and biologics. I’m coming to a point where every medication doesn’t agree with me. I’m hoping it gets better!"

• Tom...
• September 24, 2018

"My doc treated me for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. He started me on both Cosentyx and Otezla. After 3 doses of Cosentyx and 6 weeks of Otezla, my psoriasis was completely gone, and my ankles and fingers felt better. He stopped the Cosentyx and got the Otezla approved. I was lucky, as I didn't have any side effects. Not sure how I would have known which drug was causing something anyway. I have now been on Otezla for 2 years. Only once have I had a flare with my ankles, and my doc just added Cosentyx for 3 more doses and then stopped it while keeping me on Otezla. Did the trick. I have lost about 10 pounds, but I think that is because I feel so good and can walk the dogs again. Funny thing is that my LDLs have gone down a bunch. Thankfully, I get Otezla through their zero-dollar deal. My only complaint is the jokers at the Otezla Support Hotline. They are rude, and it took my doc a long time to get it approved, so he had to give me samples for about the first 6 months."

• Chr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2017

"My rheumatologist put me on Otezla, September 2016. It cleared my scalp and ears about 4 weeks in. It has done minimal to help my psoriatic arthritis. My fingers swell, and my back, hip, and ankle still bother me. My biggest concern is I have been on Otezla for nine months now, and I'm developing severe eye pain. It's getting more annoying as the days go by. Also, the fatigue you have is overwhelming. This has been my experience so far: skin better, joints not. The flares are awful. I get fevers and joint pain and swelling."

• Mou...
• February 6, 2019

"I have had psoriasis since I was 16, now 79. Nothing has given me relief until now. Years ago, I took methotrexate and dealt with so many side effects that I couldn’t take the drug. Afterwards, plaques on my scalp would build in one day. My nails became painful and stayed loose to the cuticles, and my arthritis was extremely painful and disfiguring. I was given starter packs of Otezla in October 2018 and saw a difference in the first month. Minimum side effects, slight stomach discomfort, for me. I finally feel human without the pain and embarrassment."

• Rya...
• August 16, 2017

"I lasted 3 weeks and a bit more on this drug. If you don't like sleep, love headaches, and stomach pain all day, every day, and to top it all off, irritability, then this is the drug for you!!! I went from being my usual calm self to an enraged, confused moron. Not to mention the heart palpitations. Maybe just me, needless to say, I clearly don't recommend it."

• Zev...
• May 20, 2017

"This medication was the worst one yet. I felt like I was dying. I had a cough that lasted 3 months, and it brought on horrendous migraines, which I now must take anti-seizure medication to control, and throbbing pain in my temple, and wound up in the ER because the pain was blinding. Since I started this medication, I have been in the ER twice, once for the migraine that made me vomit for 2 straight hours and then the pain in my head. The day I stopped Otezla, the cough and pain in my head disappeared. I am getting discouraged because I have had this painful disease for 40 years, and I am tired of the disappointment after trying numerous drugs that make me feel worse. Humira worked the best, but unfortunately, it stopped working after 4 years."

• Bat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2021

Apremilast "I'm currently taking Cosentyx and Otezla for the absolutely life-sucking psoriatic arthritis pain that developed after I had a thyroidectomy for cancer, and it's my experience that both of these drugs together have helped my pain/skin a lot, and neither helped me much on their own. Crazy. For people experiencing an upset stomach with Otezla, you need to eat a little before taking it, and that feeling will go away, and the diarrhea will also subside."