Otezla for Psoriatic Arthritis User Reviews (Page 4)

• RLT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2016

"I have moderate/severe RA overlapping with PSA. I developed a worsening of psoriasis on Humira. I stopped Humira, and the doctor wanted me to try Otezla to clear my psoriasis. I can say this is the worst drug I have ever taken. I had a severe migraine for 5 days. I had very low energy levels, loss of appetite, and nausea. I also developed really bad spasms. I took Methotrexate for 5 years and didn't feel this bad. I stopped Otezla, going back to Humira and Methotrexate... I hope!"

• ari...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2023

"I was on it for about a month. There was no change in my psoriatic arthritis, but my psoriasis started showing mild improvement. However, I had to stop taking it because I couldn't bear it anymore. I felt extremely anxious and irritable as if I were on edge all the time. I'm not sure how my wife managed to tolerate me during that time; I was ready to snap at everyone. It just wasn't the right medication for me. I also take medication for epilepsy seizures, so I'm not sure if it was due to my existing condition or a reaction to the medication I was taking, but I have read that it can cause anxiety in some people. I have now started Skyrizzi, and I'm hopeful for the best outcome."

• Jam...
• August 30, 2016

"I've been taking Otezla for about three weeks now. I feel my psoriasis is a bit better, but the side effects have been so bad that I haven't been able to work for a week. I'm so tired all the time. But I'm not giving up, keep taking the pills."

• spa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2017

"I have been taking Otezla for five months with no improvement in my psoriatic arthritis. I had minor psoriasis plaques on my elbows. It is definitely clearer. My joints have shown no improvement. I have lost a considerable amount of weight while on Otezla and am now quite underweight. I will have to discontinue the drug because of the weight loss and the fact that it has done nothing for the arthritis."

• Mar...
• November 15, 2016

"So it's been 2 months now. I have been self-controlling a little as I had a headache from hell, only two times though. So why it's random I do not understand, but it's so bad I can't touch it with 10 Tylenol. It's crippling. BUT, even so, I hate psoriasis so much. My life is altered by it. I continued on the Otezla with half the dose for a while, back to full dosage, but my psoriasis had returned due to the reduced dosage. Hoping it goes away again and those headaches as well. Nothing else is troubling. The headaches need to subside so I can function normally at life and my job!"

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2016

"Recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Achy, stiff joints in fingers, toes, ankles, knees, and hips. Plaque psoriasis on elbows, knees, behind ears, and above eyes. After several medications, because insurance requires it, my rheumatologist gave me a couple of choices, including Otezla. I will do anything to stay away from immune-suppressive drugs, I don't want to trade one problem for another and likely worse. Been using starter packs for a month with good improvement in plaque psoriasis and no noticeable difference in joint pain. Doc says 2-3 months to see full effect. Unfortunately, my insurance slammed the door on me and is refusing to pay for the drug, appeal was denied. They have no problem paying for immune-suppressive drugs because they are cheaper."

• Tes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2020

"Started Otezla a month ago. Within a few days, I felt like I started to lose short-term memory, and it kept me awake with sinus pain and drip. Very hard to focus and stay interested at work and home. Overall feeling of awful and heavy for no reason. Sleeplessness and very difficult to get enough sleep. Sinus pain constant and depression. I stopped taking Otezla after I couldn’t drive without fear of getting into an accident. Did wreck my car. With psoriatic arthritis. Chronic joint pain. Sinus and severe headaches/migraines. Upper back scoliosis. Suboxone and Sudafed interaction most likely increases unusual side effects."

• Ven...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2019

"I have only tried for 3 weeks and am so disappointed. My one severe spot of psoriasis improved but didn’t totally clear. I had all 3 common symptoms of headache, diarrhea, and nausea. The worst, however, is my PA felt like it worsened. I don’t want biologics as I’m only 40, but I'm not sure what other option is next."

• rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2016

"Ohhhh crap, what a nightmare. This did soften my plaques. But after a week, I am quitting. 3 massive migraines. I thought the one I'm currently having would kill me. Went to the hospital. Typical diarrhea. I had massive tendon spasms last night. This drug is good for some, but not for me. This was my last hope."

• Gb7...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 15, 2016

"My psoriatic arthritis started about 36 months ago. I tried light therapy and was on Enbrel for about 8 months with limited improvement from either treatment procedure. My back, head, and legs were very covered with psoriasis and were extremely itchy. My scratching exacerbated the problem, and I had bleeding sores all over my legs. One year ago, I went on Otezla, and within 4 months, my back and head were completely clear, and my legs were vastly improved. I did not experience any side effects to speak of, although I did lose 10 lbs. Currently, my legs are about 80% clear, however, after about 5 months of use, the palms of my hands and my feet were severely infected with psoriasis to the point where they were cracking and bleeding no matter how much I tried to look after them."

• Bou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2019

"I took Otezla for 6 months. I didn't experience any side effects while taking this. Although it helped with my arthritis, this drug did nothing for my psoriasis. My Dr said he has heard that after 6 months, Otezla has stopped working for some patients, and he prescribed me a different medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2016

"I gave it a try for 2 months, but the abdominal pain, diarrhea, and pounding headaches never went away. I verified that you can cut the pills to try to taper up the dosage, and they start you on smaller dosed pills to begin with anyway. After 2 months, I never got up to the full dose, and my side effects never got better. I did try taking the full dose and had rapid diarrhea and had a pounding headache that lasted 3 days. It was less successful than 3 of the 4 TNF-alpha inhibitors I had tried and less effective than Xeljanz (tofacitinib) at treating my psoriatic arthritis."

• Tex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2021

"I’m one week into my starter pack. I don’t usually have side effects from my many other meds I’m taking, but Otezla is much different. The side effects for me are exactly the same as when I had Covid. I have diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, extreme weakness, and tiredness. They are lowering the dosage to see if that helps the symptoms. If I don’t get some relief pretty quickly, I’m not sure I’m going to continue this medication. The cure is worse than the disease."

• Kan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2017

"I was diagnosed with HLA-B27 (a specific protein on your white blood cells that can be a sign of autoimmune disease). Dr. told me I had Psoriatic Arthritis, gave me a starter pack of Otezla, took it for 12 days, during which all of the stiffness and joint pain left. I am also on Phentermine and Topiramate for weight loss, so I didn’t experience any headaches, however, I did get somewhat depressed and had no energy to do anything. I ran out of the starter pack and had to get another, but I was off of it for 3 days. While off of it, I noticed my mood was better and back to normal, but this morning, oh my, all my stiffness and pain are back, so I am going back on the new starter pack and trying to deal with the mood thing because this pain is crazy. I also do have a sinus head cold that I have had for 4 days, but I kind of chalked that off to the time of year and weather."

• Bil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2015

"Otezla did not work for me. The good part was that the pain in my fingers and toes went down about 50%. The bad part was that my stomach was upset most of the time. I was dead dog tired all of the time. I would get up, eat breakfast, and need to lay back down. Otezla neutralized the flow max I am taking for my prostate. I had headaches every day or two. It was not a good experience for me."

• May...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 9, 2023

"Experienced many of the bad side effects, which did not get better over time. Eventually suffered severe dehydration and metabolic imbalance, resulting in 3 months of hospitalization and permanent injuries. Still in therapy after almost 3 years. Do not use."

• Mar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 13, 2023

"OMG, this was a game changer! I have tried Methotrexate, Humira, Embrel, and Stelara but failed all of them eventually, and always had some psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms. With Otezla, I'm one hundred percent clear of psoriasis (a first in 20 years!!!) and only get a psoriatic arthritic flare rarely. I can now walk without a cane and sleep at night. I have not had any stomach upset or any other symptoms with it. Wish I did get the weight loss, but you can't have everything."

• Mim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2018

"I've been taking Otezla since June 29th, 2018. I was prescribed Otezla by the dermatologist, but plaque was not present, just dry skin. A small patch of dry skin on my arm prompted a biopsy, and that's how I got my psoriatic arthritis diagnosis. My issue is I do not and never had any plaque skin issues, just joint pain, and I don't find this medication handling the joint pain on a daily basis. Every so often, I'll get a severe pain in a finger joint, a bone in my foot, or shoulder pain. I'm not sure if I need to continue taking this. I also have osteoarthritis, have had knee replacement, and now was told I need a hip replacement. I'm going to give this medication one more month and see what the outcome will be. One good thing is I had no side effects at all."

• Sti...
• February 18, 2018

"Was prescribed and took for 8 months for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. After a month, began to notice a big reduction in plaques, but only mild relief in pain. After 4 months, began to experience depressed feelings and random dark thoughts while nothing had changed in life circumstances. Decided to go off when scared myself with thoughts of crashing my vehicle while driving. However, be warned, the psoriasis plaques are worse now than before I took the meds, and the joint pain is back. Would not recommend."

• Den...
• September 17, 2017

"Been on Otezla for about 6 months. The first few months, I thought my prayers had been answered. My skin cleared up by 75 percent in 3 months. I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. My pain had decreased as well. I did have stomach issues, severe headaches, and major pressure in my ears and can hardly hear! The medication has quit working. Not clearing up my scales or itching at all! And the pain! The pain in my fingers, elbows, and feet is worse than ever. I'm up all during the night from joint pain, now have nerve pain in my feet and cannot open a bottle of water in the mornings. Very sad this didn't work out because I refuse to take immune suppression medication."

• Mik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 19, 2024

"Otezla gave me my life back after years of high levels of pain and inability to even walk for several months due to psoriatic arthritis. Once going on this medication, I dealt with GI upset and other side effects for a couple of months but eventually calmed down to only here and there. I always take with food which helps. This medication got me back on my feet and working again, however, I still have a good deal of pain and limitations at times, especially if I miss doses. I'd hope to get on infusions one day and get off this medication."

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2018

"Coming off Enbrel after 14 years, I had numerous bouts with kidney stones. Then, most recently, last year, I had numerous blood clots in the leg I gave myself shots in. Asked my PA about any other drugs. He suggested Otezla. I have been on it for 3 months, and my legs, feet, toes, ankles, and Achilles ligaments have continually been in pain, switching from day to day, and I am currently barely able to walk. I am a very good bowler and bowl in highly competitive competitions. I have gotten to the competition and couldn't even move. I never know from day to day if I will be able to compete or not. It costs hundreds of dollars to compete, and I have not even come close to being competitive at any. I have had to withdraw from some because of the pain I'm in."

• Jmj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2016

"Within weeks, my plaque psoriasis disappeared. Chronic diarrhea caused me to stop taking it. Psoriasis came back within weeks. Several months ago, I was in a motorcycle accident and sprained my wrist. Never got better, got worse. Diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. Thinking of trying it again. Don't know if I can take living on the toilet. Hoping my body will get used to it, but not optimistic."

• Uni...
• June 1, 2017

"8 days in. No relief, and as the Enbrel I was taking wears off, I am hurting so bad I had to start a course of prednisone. I feel nauseous and depressed. Beautiful weather outside, and I don't care. I'm in a farm room watching TV. Miserable and not myself. Called my doctor, so we will see what he says to do. I may follow up this post with further results. To be fair, it's only Day 8, maybe it will improve."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 31, 2023

"I have been on Otezla for over 2 years, and it appeared to be working just fine. Great reduction in swelling and arthritis pain. Very little itching and skin flares. Six months ago, I started having stomach issues with severe cramping and constant diarrhea after a colonoscopy. Upper GI diverticula were found, and once inflamed, caused severe cramping and pain. That problem was solved with antibiotics. Two months more of cramping and an 8 lb weight loss was solved within a day by stopping Otezla. Never again. These are known side effects."