Otezla and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jus...
• May 13, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have plaque psoriasis and PA for many years now. I was using Enbrel, which in comparison worked miracles. I started Otezla to try something new and not biologic. I was on Otezla for 3 months, however, I saw very little improvement in my skin and felt my PA became even worse. A finger completely swelled up, which had never happened to me in the past. I also felt more inflammation. The beginning symptoms of irregular bowel movements and major headaches were horrible, but gone after 2 weeks. What did remain up to the last minute were horrible, horrible allergies/sinus, as if I had a cold the entire time. The longer I was on the medication, the worse I got. I stopped taking Otezla, and all side effects are minimizing. I also felt very depressed."

• Cha...
• August 23, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "I was able to avoid most of the gastrointestinal side effects by taking my pill about an hour or two after eating. After week 1, my psoriasis seemed to get more ashy than red. The patches became very itchy, but I felt that the medication might be working. That was the furthest extent of any clearing for me. By week 2, I was feeling depressed with anxiety that I couldn't seem to shake. Around week 3, my anxiety was getting so overwhelming that I called my doctor to tell him that I couldn't take the medication anymore. If you still want to try Otezla and your insurance doesn't cover it, you should be able to work through your doctor to potentially get 2-week supplies directly from the manufacturer while your doctor is submitting an appeal."

• Oli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2022

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have had psoriasis for most of my adult life (60 years) in its various forms and severity, at times totally distracting, itchy/painful, and in remission other times, with never a hint of arthritis. I have tried everything, as you can imagine, without success, and it has never been in my family. Started Otezla 5 weeks back - within a week, plaques were shedding, and now it has largely disappeared! Absolutely no side effects whatsoever - my weight is stable, no nausea, diarrhea, or depression. I think it helped to approach the taking of Otezla with enthusiasm and faith in my body to accommodate its potential benefits."

• Uni...
• June 1, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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."

• La ...
• September 22, 2019

For Plaque Psoriasis "I was on Otezla for about 2 months, it was working on my psoriasis, but I became so depressed. The doctor said to stop, but the psoriasis came back tenfold! I’m starting again to see if I can get through this."

• J P...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 31, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "Since I have compromised immune systems (HIV), Otezla was the best choice, my dermatologist told me, and I started immediately. I have been taking strong medications for years, so I was willing to take unpleasant effects. Well, it almost killed me. My toenails, my whole body, I became very irritated, violent, depressed. Big crisis. I have been taking UV light treatments every other day for months, trying to reverse the damage, only wondering what's up inside me, what's coming next."

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

For Plaque Psoriasis "Awful. I was on Otezla for Behçet's syndrome (as an experimental treatment). I had depression, GI issues, severe fatigue, and no relief of symptoms while on it. After 4 months of suffering and still flaring, I stopped the medication. My skin has now become flaky and really itchy! My skin was always fine before this. I’ve heard it worked for some Behçet's patients but never worked for me."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2021

For Plaque Psoriasis "Started taking a few weeks ago and finally stopped taking it yesterday. Still get nausea and diarrhea after taking each dose. The last few days, my symptoms seem to worsen. I become severely depressed, couldn't concentrate, and felt lightheaded and short of breath all the time. Yesterday, I had to leave work because I became so shaky and lightheaded I almost passed out. I have no history of any of these issues and strongly feel it was the medication. After researching, the negative effects rate is higher than the success rate. I'm mad I started Otezla in the first place."

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 4, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "Ok, I am extremely upset! I have been on and off this drug for over a year. Last year around this time, I got a horrible rash on my hands, on the tops down to my wrists, pain in my breasts that is unbearable with four swollen lumps. I was set to go for a mammogram and ultrasound, but my breasts hurt so much I couldn’t imagine them squashing my dense breasts-no way! Then the depression the past year of wanting to hide away in my room, away from my family and wishing I don’t wake up, and no explanation as to why! I had palmoplantar pustulosis psoriasis and psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis as well as fibromyalgia. Well, my last visit, I told my doctor, and he, for the first time in six to seven years, was very flippant, saying to see my general practitioner, which he knows-he is mine."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2022

For Plaque Psoriasis "Be aware-this medication has a lot of negative side effects!! I was on Otezla for approximately 4 months, until I could no longer cope with all the side effects. The first week-stomach pain, diarrhea, I felt dizzy and couldn't focus. As I continued to take the medication, I started feeling extreme anxiety, panic attacks, physically and mentally stressed and depressed, it tore my guts up so bad it felt like I may have been trying to get an ulcer. Along with the weird stomach issues, I started not having an appetite whatsoever, which caused me to lose 20 lbs. (which I didn't need to lose). This made me feel weak and sicker. I also had bad insomnia, and if I did sleep, I awoke exhausted!!! I wish it had worked-but in my 6 years of dealing with my plaque psoriasis, this med has been the worst side effects I have had from a med. My skin did show some improvement, but the negative impact on my mental/physical well-being was just not worth it for me. I'm so happy for those it works for!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 5, 2019

For Plaque Psoriasis "The only effect that I obtained was depression, it never worked for me."

• LuJ...
• September 23, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "Tried this med for 6 days; had to stop. Almost went crazy! Severe depression, cried at the drop of a hat, extremely nauseous, IBS, and so irritable, it nearly cost my relationship!"