Otezla and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

• Yo ...
• May 18, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "Started Otezla aftertaste years of psoriasis and the onset of psoriatic arthritis. I saw results within two weeks and was completely clear after the second week. I did not have any side effects except a slight headache, I did nothing different, drank beer while on it, no side effects."

• 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..."

• Mea...
• August 13, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Been taking Otezla for 3 weeks. The first week, I had a mild but persistent headache, bad heartburn, and nausea, bloating, and muscle cramps in my legs. By the second week, the headache was gone and down to slight nausea for a few hours after taking a dose. PsA is much improved, lesions are slightly better. By the 3rd week, I am having very slight nausea, but the PsA is almost gone. My knees, back, hands, and feet feel almost normal. Lesions are still improving but very slowly. I'm still using steroid topicals and an occasional dose of Naproxen for joint pain."

• Mim...
• July 12, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "So far, so great! I've had zero gastrointestinal side effects or headaches and tremendous clearing of my skin after only 2 weeks (started with the starter pack). I am full of energy and my body feels great! I have 1 bridging pack, and now comes the challenge of getting my insurance to cover it... fingers crossed!!!"

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

For Plaque Psoriasis "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."

• Mid...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 17, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have now been taking Otezla for 2 years. I have never had bad psoriasis, but psoriatic arthritis has affected me for about 5 years. It took me almost 9 months for my psoriatic arthritis to see any improvement. After 1 year of taking it, I thought it was a wonder drug. I have had constant stomach and headache issues that I was willing to accept. I figured it wasn't as bad as having PsA. About 6 months ago, it stopped working for me. I started experiencing pretty bad moods and felt like I was falling into depression. I have since moved on to a single dose at bedtime. I recently started using CBD oil, and it seems to be working pretty well. It worked for a while, but side effects were almost as bad as the condition."

• Jea...
• September 30, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "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."

• 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."

• Yan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I took Otezla for about 5 months for psoriatic arthritis. I experienced headaches and upper respiratory infections almost the entire time. I saw little, if any, improvement to my arthritis pain and inflammation."

• Net...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I've been on Otezla for about 6 weeks. I don't know if I'm imagining it, but I feel worse than before I started on it. Lower backache, horrible pain in my head and face. Can't get a good night's sleep as my hips hurt. The headaches are the worst, trying to work with a daily headache. I don't have much psoriasis as it cleared up years ago, just some on my scalp now. The doctor says to give it at least 14 weeks to work. Don't know if I'll last that long with the pain in my head/face. I get the meds straight from the company, so don't know how much they actually cost."

• Mar...
• October 19, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "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

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."

• HHa...
• March 7, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "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."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2019

"I have been on Otezla for sixteen weeks now. I have Behçet’s disease, a rare form of vasculitis, which my doctor said Otezla will be approved by the FDA to treat by the end of this year. At first, I had headaches and horrible nausea, which wasn’t helped if I took it with food. The headaches have stopped, but not the nausea. I also have high blood pressure, which this drug has made worse, along with folliculitis. My hair has gotten very thin. I also have times when I have to hold myself back from vomiting. The pain in my joints has increased to the point that I can barely walk. I get pain in my spine (from my neck to my tail), knees, and hips. And it is severe. I take a large amount of opioids for chronic pain, and Otezla has negated any effect these have had. I was hoping I could quit taking the opioids with Otezla on board. I’m going to have to stop taking it because I can’t stand the pain and nausea."

• Kar...
• June 21, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "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."

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

For Plaque Psoriasis "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."

• Mar...
• November 15, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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!"

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

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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."

• TG6...
• December 27, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "I'm 4 days in to starting Otezla, not even to the full 30 mg per day, and I'm quitting. The nausea, headaches, and awful stomach pain are just not worth it. It is really bad. Going to try something else."

• DDa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2021

For Plaque Psoriasis "I broke out with psoriasis about a year ago. It was mild and I tried using creams. The steroid cream made my blood sugars extremely high and uncontrollable. Nothing was helping. I started Otezla a month ago. A few bouts of diarrhea. Nothing terrible. A few headaches, but I am also trying to quit caffeine, so that could be the headaches. My problem is the tiredness. I want to sleep all day. An hour or so after taking my pill, I literally pass out. Nights I cannot sleep. It made my days and nights switch. The scalp psoriasis has cleared, but the rest is still itching and scaling as it was. A slight change for the better in the redness. I have just finished my starter pack. I am hoping and praying for an end to the psoriasis. After reading these reviews, I am not as hopeful."

• Dee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 2, 2019

For Plaque Psoriasis "I was on all Otezla for 6 months, could not take the headaches anymore, so I stopped taking it. Psoriasis came back with a vengeance!!! I had always had a mild case of psoriasis. I have psoriasis places I've never had it before. Worst medication ever. Take my advice, don't ever start this medicine."