Otezla and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

For Plaque Psoriasis "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

For Plaque Psoriasis "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."

• acm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Otezla had recently been approved. After three months on Otezla, my skin was mostly clear (psoriasis returned fast post-Embril). I was able to stop ibuprofen completely. The pain was reduced to 1/10. Anti-nausea meds helped with stomach discomfort of Otezla side effects. Fourteen months in, the nausea was getting worse, lasting all day. Tremors. Appetite non-existent. Fatigue and anxiety increasing to unbearable levels. Spending more time in bed than not. Pain returning to joints... especially hands, feet, and lower back. Stopped Otezla three weeks ago. Appetite is back, nausea and diarrhea gone. Anxiety minimal. Energy level much higher. Was only going to stop Otezla for two weeks. I believe I am done with Otezla. Quality of life decision."

• CGK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Just started taking Otezla on March 20th. I started out with the low dosage, and I am now currently at 30 mg twice a day. In 6 days, I have lost 4 pounds, mainly from the diarrhea, and have had some headaches. However, I will keep going with this as I am waking up with no stiffness or pain from the psoriatic arthritis, which is a huge bonus. The only thing I really need to watch is the insomnia. Last night was not a good night for me as I tossed and turned all night, but that very well could be from the prednisone I am also taking, but only for another week or so. I am hopeful Otezla will continue to work for me because I refuse to take biologics that my doctor wanted to put me on."

• Jmj...
• April 29, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "Initially stomach ache, diarrhea, and headache, feeling of unease. After 2 months, most side effects gone. Never any at night, so I make sure I take on a full stomach. This helps me. It has been highly effective. Psoriasis started to clear within weeks. Now 99% clear. When a spot shows up, I hit it with one or two doses of topical, and it's gone. So far, great."

• Jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "I was prescribed Otezla 10 days ago for severe scalp and ear psoriasis. My dermatologist gave me the starter pack while I was waiting for insurance approval (which I just obtained), and in this short period of time, I have noticed a nearly 50 percent reduction in the itchiness and scaling, which was so bad that it often bled and my scalp was painful from just a shower. I have a salt-water pool, and the water stung so bad I tried not to get my head wet. I am astounded that I am already seeing a difference. I am even more astounded that I have had zero side effects. I was prepared for nausea, diarrhea, and headaches - anything to get relief from the misery of constant scratching, scabbing, and just plain pain. It hurt to even brush my hair."

• HRi...
• March 3, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I'm on Day 10 with this medication and am already seeing significant improvements in my psoriasis! My doctor told me it may take a month or more to see any change, so this is a pleasant surprise. I had read about the side effects and was expecting the first while to be rough, but man! I can't keep anything down, and the diarrhea is unreal! I've found aspirin helps the headaches, so those aren't so bad. I've lost 8 pounds since I started Otezla, which is a bonus, but I wouldn't say it's the best diet plan I've ever been on... I'm hoping the side effects subside as my body gets used to the medication, and I'm very hopeful to see more improvements in my psoriasis!"

• MDS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "I've been using Otezla for around three months now. I had some minor side effects of loose stool and headaches. They have subsided and don't affect me anymore. I'm probably 80% clear now. This time of year, I normally have a large increase in lesions. Not only have the lesions gone away, no new ones have formed. It will be nice to wear shorts and short-sleeve shirts again. For me, this med has worked great."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2015

For Psoriatic Arthritis "After about a month and a half, with both psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, I don't think Otezla has helped either condition for me. Side effects have been minimal; very mild diarrhea and some limited loose stools. Joints seem the same to slightly worse, patches seem the same. After the fight I had to put up for insurance approval, the results are a huge disappointment thus far. Will continue to four months. This is my very first, non-topical, med."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2015

For Psoriatic Arthritis "After about a month and a half, with both psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, I don't think Otezla has helped either condition for me. Side effects have been minimal; very mild diarrhea and some limited loose stools. Joints seem the same to slightly worse, patches seem the same. After the fight I had to put up for insurance approval, the results are a huge disappointment thus far. Will continue to four months. This is my very first, non-topical, med."

• cde...
• July 23, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Since the first pill on Otezla, I started to get severe sinus headaches that could not be remedied by Tylenol or Advil. Nasal congestion began shortly after that, as did steady head pain. I am now 7 days on the pills and I am stopping due to these headaches, loose bowel movements, sinus congestion and pain, headaches, and most importantly, insomnia! I have been up 2 days straight and have stopped these pills last night. Since being on these pills, I have not slept more than 2 hours per night, if at all. My foot pain has been lessened, as well as the pain in my fingers, but the side effects are just not worth it. Still getting sharp pains in my toes and difficulty with hip joint and knees, which I did not have before starting Otezla. Not the drug for me!"

• Fio...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "My dermatologist put me on this medication using starter packs while they worked with the insurance to approve it. I lost my appetite completely. I was exhausted, I almost lost my hearing, and I got a serious upper respiratory infection. I had constant diarrhea and nausea and practically no sleep. I had to quit when I got the respiratory infection as I could hardly breathe. Why on earth is more testing not done with these drugs? The pharmaceutical companies churn out arthritis medication one after the other, all of them with horrible side effects and outrageous pricing. How dare they try to charge almost $3000 a month for a drug with such poor results? Back to methotrexate and ibuprofen, at least I can afford them."

• Poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I began Otezla two weeks ago. I have extremely bad plaque psoriasis on the palms of both my hands, including terrible itching. The condition started a few years ago, at age 55. So far, the Otezla is going well as far as not having the negative side effects. I have no diarrhea, only a couple of minimal headaches, and no nausea. I am hopeful the Otezla will work out well. With my insurance, I pay zero out-of-pocket."

• per...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 5, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "Sweden's calling: I've been on Otezla for more than 9 months and most of my plaque psoriasis has cleared up! It seems like the scalp is showing some resistance, but I'm not giving up. Had some side effects like diarrhea and poor appetite in the beginning, but it's all fine now. Take care!"

• act...
• July 7, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I am technically taking this for reactive arthritis that I have struggled with on and off for 15 years. Most recently on a 4-year stint, where I have been taking steroids. The idea was that this would allow me to get off of steroids. It took a few months to seem to help, but now (6 months) I have been weaning off the steroids. In the beginning, I experienced migraines, which I never had before, about 2 per week. Now about 1 per month. I also regularly experience diarrhea, not having to go more often but lose stool when I do. Annoying but tolerable. It also seems to work as an appetite suppressant, which is a positive side effect for me at 40 years old, lost about 8 lbs so far. So overall pretty good med now that migraines are less."

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2020

For Behcet's Disease "I have had Behcet's disease for 33 years and can no longer take any drugs that suppress my immune system because after using Enbrel and prednisone, I developed two life-threatening systemic fungal infections. So we decided to try Otezla, considering it is a 3rd generation of thalidomide -- which has been used for Behcet's in the past. I used Otezla for two months before I just couldn't deal with the side effects. So I cannot recommend Otezla for these reasons: 1) it caused severe diarrhea and 8 lbs weight loss, despite treatments for these GI symptoms; 2) it caused severe headaches unresponsive to multiple other medications; and 3) it only helped my mucocutaneous ulcerations, which are annoying but not disabling, and did nothing for my painful Behcet's arthritis, CNS involvement, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, and other BD symptoms. If your main symptoms of Behcet's are oral, genital, and skin ulcers, sure, go ahead and try it. But be warned."

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2019

For Plaque Psoriasis "I am 49 and have psoriasis on my legs, back, shoulders, arms, back of scalp, and finally on the inside and outside back of both ears. It has progressively gotten worse since 1998. I was on Otezla for 7 days after receiving a sample packet from my doctor. I had nausea, diarrhea, headache, throwing up, and an upper respiratory infection for 5 of the 7 days. There was no improvement, and with only seven days, I didn't expect there to be. The sinus infection was the worst (lost my voice and missed work for 3 days). After reading so many reviews (good and bad), the negative far outweighs the handful of positive. I know after only seven days many would say I should give it more time, but I would rather just deal with the itching, flakes, and nasty looks people give seeing it on me. I guess I'll just wear my jeans all summer long. I made the decision to quit while I'm ahead and continue to use raw coconut oil, Eucerin, and steroid creams to control dryness and outbreaks."

• Jos...
• September 1, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I took Otezla twice, two years apart. My first experience helped my psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis within 3 months with minimal side effects. I had loose stool for a couple of days and a mild headache. Then I developed a very aggressive breast cancer and was advised to stop Otezla. I underwent chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomies, and reconstruction. One year later, I began taking Otezla again because my psoriasis and PA came back with a vengeance, as predicted. Four months into treatment, I developed breast cancer in my sternum. Once again, I quit the Otezla and have since undergone radiation treatment. I did not tick the boxes for a patient at high risk for breast cancer. I feel my cancer may well have been a direct result of Otezla."

• Sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2024

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been on Otezla for 18 days for psoriatic arthritis (no rash). The morning dose is brutal, with horrific nausea and vomiting, diarrhea with fecal urgency, and a slight headache. After only 2 weeks, my joints feel better, and I am trying with all my might to tolerate this med. I thought it would ease up by now, but day 18 so far has been the worst. Overall, it is a great drug if the GI symptoms would let up."

• Gue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Side effects are tremendous, severe headaches, diarrhea, and nearly living on the toilet, fever, and aches and pains all over. Been taking it for 3 weeks to see if I will ever get used to the side effects and they will subside, so far, no. Not sure how much longer I can last on Otezla. Was really hoping it would help..."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 20, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have been on Otezla for about 18 months and am very satisfied. The only side effect has been the loose stool that most people have experienced. Prior to taking this medication, I was getting 12 to 15 shots per month on my scalp and all over my legs directly into the outbreaks. Additionally, I was using prescribed creams, lotions, and shampoo. My scalp was so bad that the psoriasis covered a patch of skin cancer that was probably growing for over a year. It was detected as I insisted on a biopsy of the area because that one area was not responding to treatment. Except for one or two small patches, my skin is free and clear. Insurance is a problem, however, there is a prescription assistance program available, and you can be reimbursed."

• Nea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Was on Otezla for 4 months. Absolutely no improvement, and side effects were dreadful... splitting migraine headaches daily, chronic diarrhea, depression. I would never consider taking this medication again."

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

For Plaque Psoriasis "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."

• Hod...
• December 18, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I was prescribed Otezla for psoriatic arthritis. I took it for about 18 weeks. My arthritis improved only minimally. I experienced the side effects of nausea, diarrhea, and headaches throughout the 18 weeks. I stopped the treatment since it wasn't really working for me. And that is where the real trouble began - I had only suffered mild psoriasis over the years. I have not had a significant outbreak in over 25 years. In very short order, after I stopped this medicine, my psoriasis returned with a vengeance! It's now almost 6 months since I've stopped taking this drug, and I'm STILL trying to get the psoriasis under control. I would NOT recommend anyone take this drug."

• Sab...
• December 3, 2015

For Plaque Psoriasis "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."