Otezla and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• joe...
• September 21, 2019

For Plaque Psoriasis "Was on Enbrel and about 95% clear after over 40 years of itch... Side effects were not bad, stinging on injection... Some bruising after 5 years... And needle aversion. I just started getting emotional every time I was going to inject... So I asked the doc for Otezla... All those slow-mo commercials couldn't be lying, could they? After 13 days of Otezla, the headache was constant and unpleasant... Do you know the sugar headache one gets after drinking too much red wine from the day prior? How about that headache every minute of the day? The nausea came on too... An acid reflux I never experienced in my life... Nothing could get me to endure that every day. I wasn't vomiting, but I was 99% uncomfortable. Stopped Otezla 13 days into the titration pack... Threw it in the garbage along with my 30-day bottle. Filed a formal complaint with the FDA.gov site too. Was thinking about Cosyntx, but I'm not sure after reading those reviews. These reviews for Otezla are dismal and accurate."

• Wia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "After failing Enbrel and Humira, my doc moved me to a different class. Otezla has been great for my severe psoriasis on the palms of my hands and psoriatic arthritis. I went from 100% coverage with extremely painful lesions, unable to use my hands, to 100% clearance in three weeks. My rheumatologist and I both are amazed with the results. I will put up with the side effects as the massive improvement makes it all worth it. Side effects I've had: headaches/migraines, indigestion, stomach pain, loose stools, and nausea. All but headaches have started to subside as of my 3rd week in! Very, very happy here!!"

• Spo...
• June 3, 2020

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Started Otezla 4 months ago. I had had a strep throat that caused me to develop guttate psoriasis, which I've never had before. That alongside my psoriatic arthritis and regular psoriasis. I was pretty much covered head-to-toe and miserable. After having six months of methotrexate, I really didn't want to be back on a med. The pain from it all got unbearable, so I went in for an appointment and was recommended Otezla because of my concerns with some of the stronger medicines. At first, it felt similar to methotrexate with the nausea and stomach issues, so I was used to that. However, I am now almost 5 months in, and at 40 years old, I feel like my memory is gone. I've never had any issues with my memory or fogginess. I have read that psoriatic arthritis can cause this, so who knows. All I know is that I can't take the nausea, the headaches, the GERD, and I believe severe memory issues. I am discontinuing it."

• fhw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2019

For Behcet's Disease "I took this medication for 18 days and was really hoping the side effects would be minimal, as there are very few good choices for Behçet's disease (BD) and I do not want to take a biologic. Began with the starter pack. Diarrhea was the first side effect but was managed with Imodium. This was followed by increasing nausea, insomnia, and complete loss of appetite. Then crying jags set in. The final straw for me was the excruciating headaches that were not responsive to any medication. I became unable to work or function on this medication and had to discontinue. You couldn't pay me to take another dose."

• Tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been on Otezla going on my 4th year. I had plaque psoriasis and swelling of joints. I was nauseous for maybe 2 weeks when I started. My ring finger was a size nine, and now it’s a size five. That’s how much swelling has gone down for me. All my plaque was completely gone by the 3rd month, which included my whole head, my ears, and unmentionable parts! I don’t have depression or any other side effects. For me, this drug is amazing!"

• Str...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Was on the starter pack of Otezla, progressively ramping up the dose. Nausea, diarrhea, and eventually vomiting as I reached higher doses. I don't think I was on it long enough to notice any positive effect because the side effects were debilitating and left me nearly bed (toilet?) ridden. Maybe you'll have better luck than me :/ If you are someone who is sensitive to meds and/or generally gets side effects, keep that in mind."

• 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."

• JM9...
• November 22, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have been on Otezla since February. My insurance would not cover it, so I am part of the company's bridge program. My psoriasis is completely gone--I haven't had normal, clear skin since I was a baby, and I am 36. I finally can wear shorts and tank tops without being self-conscious that my scaly, red skin is ugly and people are looking at it. When I first started the medication, I did have some bad headaches and nausea. It went away after a few weeks if you just stick with it. I recently went away and forgot to bring the Otezla with me, so I didn't take it for about 5 days, and now that I am back on it, I have headaches and nausea again, but I anticipate that they will subside like they did before. I haven't had any other side effects."

• Wat...
• October 1, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "When I started Otezla, I was having moderate arthritis effects. Right away I had head and neck pain. Throughout the 4 months I was on it, I lost 10 lbs, had no appetite, nausea, bad flu flares, sometimes rapid heartbeat, and no discernible relief. At the 4-month mark, I experienced a massive spasming of my scalp and neck muscles. As in tetany. You need your neck to sit up, lay down, walk, drive. I couldn't do anything. I like to think my pain threshold is high, but this brought me to my knees. I've been on more prednisone with Otezla than ever before, just to counteract all the flares and tendon pain. I'm off Otezla now for 4 days and still cannot move my neck properly. I hope with time it goes away. No benefits, lots of aggravation. Not a good med for."

• 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."

• Mol...
• December 1, 2015

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I was on the 28-day starter pack, made it to the regular dose of 30 mg 2x a day. Severe headaches like I have never experienced before, I have had migraines for over 40 years, these were worse. MD reduced the dose to 30 once a day. Still had some headaches, jaw pain, and nausea. The side effects have outweighed the good-no real improvement in hands-will stop taking Otezla. It also made me extremely moody and angry."

• 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."

• Pou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 30, 2015

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I started taking this in August 2014. Initially, I did get the headaches and nausea. Once I got through the starter pack, it was starting to resolve. I have lost about 18 lbs, but that's a good thing. I'm not finding that it works really well for me - not like the injectables. I have large patches of psoriasis on my legs and arms, and a smaller one on my scalp. I'm using steroid ointment on these, but nothing is making them go away. I was still hurting pretty badly, even with the drug. My rheumatologist gave me something called Leflunomide 20 mg (Arava) to boost the Otezla. It seemed to work a little better for my joints after that. I am still on 5 mg oral prednisone and Diclofenac 2x a day for inflammation. I'm a pretty tough case."

• Huc...
• January 3, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been taking Otezla for about 8 weeks. I experienced nausea, frequent bowel movements, headaches, and a lack of appetite. Although the severity tapered off after a few weeks, they still continue. As I did more research into others who have taken it, I have experienced 2 trips to the ER due to inflammation in my feet, and I feel so fatigued and don't want to do anything...but I feel better if I move around a bit...but I get worn out pretty easy, and then my feet are killing me. I'd like to say I feel better than when I started...and in some ways, I do. I used to feel like my joints were fusing together, I couldn't walk up or down stairs, and I couldn't open a bottle of water. I feel a lot looser now and can do some things. I still hurt."

• Geo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2019

For Plaque Psoriasis "I’ve been taking Otezla for two months. It started out okay, but now the side effects are starting - headaches, insomnia, agitation (including shaky hands), and extreme nausea. Not sure if this is related to the Otezla, but I have bronchitis, which is actually a side effect. My psoriasis hasn’t started to clear, so I’m going to stop. The side effects are too overwhelming."

• tjm...
• November 24, 2015

For Plaque Psoriasis "I've been on Otezla for 4 weeks now. I've had partial clearing on arms and chest. Still have plaques on my legs, but not as itchy as before. Scaling has been reduced. I do have 3-4 bowel movements a day, mainly in the morning and afternoon. Have not had nausea or headaches. No depression either. Some minor weight loss. I'm happy with the results so far and hoping that this is the answer. Been dealing with psoriasis for over 40 years now. Started on the scalp, but over the past couple of years, the legs have been the worst. Been using creams and UV light. The UV light did work at first, but then seemed to be ineffective. Never had the desire to use injections."

• Kga...
• July 18, 2019

For Plaque Psoriasis "I initially started Humira while in the military, and it worked wonders for me. I was basically clear of all psoriasis, and it also helped with my colitis. After retiring, I went without for about 6 months until I could get back in with another dermatologist. I told them I was previously on Humira, and she decided to go a different route? More creams and foams. Until I had a flare-up, and she decided to put me on Otezla. It worked, but at a cost. It’s been almost 3 months of Otezla, and the side effects have become unbearable for me. You have to make sure you eat something for sure, and you still might feel sick after taking it. Headache and nausea can be expected. I actually had to be prescribed Zofran because of it. I’ve lost at least 10 pounds also. All in all, it’s a struggle and a routine that’s hard to get used to."

• Rol...
• August 13, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "This medicine has been unbelievable for me. I am now 100% clear, with only a couple of dry places on my scalp. I was so completely miserable and in pain, but since I started taking this drug almost two months ago, I'm clear! My insurance refused to pay for it, even after my doctor petitioned a second time. I'm now in another fight for coverage, and I will continue to fight! I have had some side effects (severe headaches, nausea, sleeplessness), but it's worth it! While I know this drug does not help everyone, I love it and so appreciate what it's done for me."

• rml...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been on Otezla for only a month. It has taken the pain from my fingers and elbows away. It is starting to work on my plaque psoriasis. I have had psoriasis for 56 years. I'm 73 now. Otezla is working the best out of anything else I have tried. I had very few side effects, just a little nausea, not much. I sure hope it keeps working."

• 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."

• Let...
• February 28, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have had psoriasis my entire life; for the last 6 years, it has been so bad on my feet that walking is a problem. I have been on Otezla for about 3 weeks. Here is what I have experienced: I have had some good results on my feet, but a bit of a trade-off. Loss of appetite, nausea occasionally, no headaches at all, and only one day of feeling lethargic and a bit sad. I also get itchy; sometimes my skin crawls, especially at night, and yesterday my bones actually ached. It is so random when this comes and goes. I am still on the fence a bit with it. I am hoping these things will go away. I haven't heard anything about long-term effects."

• BB ...
• October 31, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "Whelp, the psoriasis cleared (mostly) after having it on my arms, neck, stomach, and scalp (lost a lot of hair), so I broke down and started Otezla. I’ve been on it for almost a year, and after being an active and healthy adult (psoriasis aside), I’ve had the worst health issues I could imagine. The nausea, loss of appetite (lost 25 lbs in a year), depression, and immediate, runny bowel movements after eating have all driven me crazy. I hated the psoriasis more than anything (which kept me on the med this long), and my dermatologists (that’s right, there have been two) convincingly told me none of these were side effects and advised me to change other aspects of my life (stress levels, diet - which has always been healthy and balanced, etc.) as those were to blame for what I was experiencing. I’m sad that it’s taken me this long to do my own in-depth research only to find out these are common and ARE, in fact, side effects. I need my health back! Even if it means I’m itchy and bald!"

• CVL...
• September 16, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "I’ve been on Otezla for about 4-5 months now. The first month, I definitely saw some clearing in my original areas, which were always on the upper part of my feet, scalp, and a bit on my knees every now and then. Now, starting my 5th month on it, I’ve begun to get breakouts in places I’ve never had problems, like my fingers, wrists, and as of the past couple of days, the soles of my feet. I’ve never had so many breakout areas... When I told my dermatologist in my follow-up that I wasn’t completely sure it was working, her first reaction was to keep me on Otezla until the end of the year to give it time to work. When I told her I’d been feeling a bit down and had nausea... she told me straight up that statistically most people suffer from depression, so not to worry. I really got the vibe that she didn’t care and that she’s probably getting a commission from Otezla for keeping me on it. I’m really considering getting off it... Otezla for me has done more bad than good."

• 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."