Otezla and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Aut...
• May 22, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I am 19 and started taking Otezla 4 months ago. The first 3 weeks had terrible stomach upset and loose stool. Also got headaches. Continued with meds as directed, and to this day, see no improvement. And still occasionally get GI upset. Now I am moving on to Stelara. I have severe plaque psoriasis, and without the use of my creams, I saw no improvement for Otezla and only gained stomach problems."

• cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "Went on starter pack of Otezla. Am on second week now, and hands are again horrible, swelling, splitting open and bleeding on almost every finger and one palm. Have it on feet also, but not nearly as bad. I am trying to hang on to see if it will turn around. I did have a headache and diarrhea last week, eating more before taking it. I am back on a tapering dose of Prednisone to help with the horrible symptoms. Trying to last a month with Otezla to see if it will, in fact, work for me, but trying to go on trips or be seen out and about is not easy when everyone focuses on your hands and their leprosy-like appearance. Luckily, my work friends are very supportive, even bringing in lotions they made and holistic medicines for me."

• Ish...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "I really wanted Otezla to work. I've stuck with it for five months now with zero result on my skin. I've pushed through the fatigue, headaches, generally feeling down, total apathy, and weight gain. Yes, you heard that right, I of course did not lose weight on Otezla. I've gained a huge swollen pot belly. This despite working out with a personal trainer and eating the same as before. My dermatologist confessed to me that the real numbers for those helped by Otezla are closer to 20%. The other 80% of people see absolutely no change whatsoever. I appear to be among the latter group. I wish that information on this drug was more accurate. I also wonder at encouraging people to stay on this drug for six months. I've yet to hear from anyone who said it took that long to kick in. I'm starting to suspect that it's really all about sales. If anyone here has been on it for six months before seeing any results, I'd be really interested to hear about it."

• hbm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2020

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have been on Otezla twice, once for 12 months until December 2018 and then again, November 2019 until now. I stopped taking it originally because it stopped working. However, once I started taking it again, I received the same results as the first time. It has cleared my plaque psoriasis by about 60%, guttate by about 95%, and psoriatic arthritis by maybe 30%. I still have significant joint pain, but the clearing of the skin has been nice. I no longer experience side effects, but at first, I had minor GI upset and headaches that eventually resolved. I hope my results last longer than a year this time."

• SFS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I am coming up on 2 months of using Otezla. So far, I am thrilled with my results. Some of the psoriasis spots have completely gone away, others have faded, and the white flaky buildup is gone. Winter is the really bad time for me, and it looks better, a light pink. I had headaches and stress headaches the first 2 to 3 weeks and thought the pain was not worth it, but they went away. I also had loose stools and waking up a few times a night where I am completely awake for an hour or two. I have also had 2 colds this winter, and I usually get 1 the entire season (not sure if related)."

• dbk...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 28, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have been taking Otezla for over a year. Usually take 30 mg daily, but sometimes 60 mg when skin gets worse, and sometimes 15 mg when side effects are too awful and/or skin is better. Worked amazing for me in the beginning and totally cleared my skin, including scalp plaque that I've had since a teenager (I'm 45 years old). However, side effects have been bad and have never let up. Did not have depression, but definitely lots of reflux, with burping, burning, etc., especially at night. Gross, watery stool with constant urgency and having to race to the toilet after everything I eat. Sometimes helps to take the pill with a big meal - but not always. Have also had some headaches. Also, just a weird feeling of nausea and unwellness - usually passes after a few hours. Recently developed an extremely itchy rash (torso, arms, legs, feet), and this may be the last straw for this drug."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I am heading into my 4th week with Otezla. My hands are clear of scales. They are looking very good. My scalp has stopped itching and feels like scales are disappearing. My legs, on the other hand, are red and itching. I do not see any improvement on my legs at all yet. I did experience severe nausea for the first couple of weeks, but it has gotten much better. Slight occasional headaches. I am still hopeful."

• Mar...
• September 29, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "So far, so good! Otezla customer service is the best! I have just started Otezla, and no side effects at all -- in fact, it seems I have more energy and less itching of my scalp already! No headaches or stomach issues, but will keep an eye out for that later. I am so happy to be able to try this drug as the biologics scare me with cancer issues. I will keep in touch!"

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

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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."

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

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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."

• Cin...
• February 2, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "I’ve had plaque psoriasis on my scalp/right ear for less than one year. I’ve read many of the reviews here, but I’m not letting the negatives discourage me from Otezla because some negative reviews could be from drug competitors and (since each person reacts differently to drugs) without knowing a person’s medical history or if they’re taking other drugs, there’s no way to be sure if their results/side effects are a direct result of Otezla. So (while it’s good to know others' experiences) don’t necessarily allow them to dictate your choice to try it (especially if your plaque psoriasis affects you like it affects me.) I have a history of headaches (mostly sinus), occasional depression, and irregular sleep patterns; however, the condition itself adds to my depression and sleep problems. It’s only been 7 days – no noticeable improvement but experiencing NO side effects. I’m still positive and hopeful. I’ll continue posting updates!"

• CW9...
• June 4, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "I was given this medication after my insurance stopped covering Enbrel (which worked awesome for me) at the beginning of 2015. To me, this medication was the worst of all worst for my body. While taking this medication, I experienced every side effect that it stated and never subsided. I experienced massive headaches, diarrhea, and MAJOR weight loss. I had lost 10 - 15 pounds within a 3-month period. Now that it has been almost a year and a half, I am STILL struggling to gain my weight back. The extreme weight loss now has caused joint issues that have prevented me from doing my daily routine activities. It didn't do much for my plaque psoriasis either. I wouldn't suggest this medication to anyone."

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

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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."

• JXW...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 13, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "On Otezla for 5 weeks and seems to be doing its job. Rashes have gotten pale and very quiet. Only problems have been some AM headaches and slight nausea. Corporate has been very helpful in getting me this medication."

• pro...
• August 11, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "Third and last day on Otezla. Took fourth 10 mg pill at 6:30 a.m. with breakfast. Slight headache, no nausea, no depression. Not feeling myself. I had to make a conscious effort not to 'zone out' all day. BP is up. Had disturbing dreams last night and woke up with pain in hands, ankles, and back. Every plaque is itching like crazy. I have stopped taking this drug."

• sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "Ladies and gentlemen, I have been using Otezla for at least 45 days. At first, it was making me run to the bathroom all the time, gave me the runs. Then, around a month into the drug, I started experiencing headaches after every use. I stopped after about 45 days, I didn't want to be damaging my brain. And after all the symptoms, no signs of clearing. Although I haven't had any arthritis, but not worth the headache, literally."

• 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."

• J J...
• November 27, 2020

For Plaque Psoriasis "Pros - Side effects of apremilast have not seemed particularly debilitating (unlike meds like acitretin) - No need for regular blood tests and checkups - No risk to kidney functionality - It alleviated certain aspects of my psoriasis, such as skin dryness and irritability - Can drink alcohol and take over-the-counter medication. Cons - Being on the medication seems to have slowed the spread of my guttate psoriasis but has NOT stopped it - My psoriasis patches are still visually very present (despite dryness improving) - I've had psoriasis appear on areas of my skin that it has previously never affected - face, hands, forearms in particular. To remedy this, I've upped my use of steroid-based ointments, which I had hoped to kick - Mild side effects, occasional insomnia + I will need to go to the toilet about an hour after taking a tablet. Headaches occasionally, but not debilitating. - The few occasions where I have missed a day's treatment, I've noticed my psoriasis will flare dramatically."

• Den...
• September 17, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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."

• Aur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "This was for my guttate psoriasis. PROS: Easy to take and digest. No adverse side effects other than occasional headache. CONS: Didn't really work. Improved flaking and dryness, but red patches are still there and still itchy/burning skin. If you have mild psoriasis, it may work, but for anybody with moderate to severe, I would be very doubtful. Let down, as I was hoping it would be a wonder drug, and it's definitely not. Some creams work better."

• Jim...
• January 24, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "All was okay while I was taking Enbrel injections, and then after months my doctor told me to take a new medicine that was safer. So I took Otezla. I took the starter kit and continued to 2 pills per day. Nausea, diarrhea, and headaches started then. The doctor told me that in the first month all these things happen. Then, after 2 months, I had brutal headaches, fatigue, and pain in some of my fingers, my legs, and also in my back. The back pain is the worst of all. I wake up early every morning with strong back pain. When I cough, I also have pain. First, I thought that the pain was because of the bed, then I realized that it was the side effects of the medicine. I still continue the therapy and am waiting to change back to injections."

• Thr...
• September 30, 2021

For Plaque Psoriasis "Have you ever felt like you had the flu, morning sickness, and needed a toilet strapped to your rear end? Welcome to Otezla! I'm a 49-year-old healthy female with great blood work, no obesity, and overall decent health besides plaque psoriasis. I tried Otezla for three weeks! Not only did I feel like someone kicked my ass during the whole three weeks, I also felt like I couldn't go anywhere without an emergency exit for my rear end. Nausea? Yup. Diarrhea? Yup. Headache? Yup. Fatigue? Yup. I normally walk 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. I was lucky to get over 3,000 with Otezla. I've been living off ginger ale and crackers for the most part. When I do eat 'real food,' my stomach is tied up in knots, and I either throw up or poop. Or both. Usually, it's both. The amount of sleep I have lost, the meals I haven't enjoyed, and the minimal effect it's had on my psoriasis are not worth it. At all."

• Top...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have been taking Otezla for about 6 months, after about 6 years of Neotigason and various creams. The Neotigason can have side effects on the liver and requires constant monitoring via blood tests, with the result that I was often noncompliant with horrible flare-ups of my moderate to bad plaque psoriasis. Now with Otezla, the outcome is fantastic, 98 percent clear up, with just light pink marks on forearms left. Scalp and face totally clear, which is great. If I cut down on a dose, it comes back. Had the odd headache, loose stools, odd patch of insomnia. Can live with all of it. Biggest problem is the cost, extremely expensive, even after being subsidized here in Israel."

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2022

For Plaque Psoriasis "Otezla was very effective for me! After the first week of use, I noticed a tremendous improvement with my skin. BUT, LOL, it wasn't long before the diarrhea started and headaches. I didn't mind the diarrhea so much, as the headaches are what made me stop using Otezla. I would certainly recommend Otezla to anyone suffering from plaque psoriasis. Hopefully, your side effects will be more tolerable for you."