Otezla and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 4)

• ben...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "3 weeks in. Abdominal issues definitely present. Not diarrhea, but cramping, nausea, bowel urgency. Lasts around 2 hours after taking the medication. Can sleep through the side effects from the evening dose now. Not sure if having any emotional effects. Skin is clearing well for just three weeks on the med. I had been on Enbrel for around 3 years and alternated from the 25 mg dose to the 50 mg dose. Essentially stopped working. Must have developed antibodies."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "I had started Otezla and had the typical nausea and loose stool but was completely tolerable until I hit the 8th day, and then I had a rare reaction to this medication. I experienced severe dizziness, thought blocking, cluster migraine, extreme vomiting, and uncontrollable bowel movements and could not function. I had to cancel two days of work because my dizziness, a headache, and thought blocking were so bad. I became completely dehydrated. Of course, my doctor said to stop the medication immediately. I am now about a month post and still do not feel well - I had a minor bout of depression - constant tearfulness for no reason, and I am battling some sort of fatigue. I am an educated professional and have dealt with psoriasis for my entire life - this was my first time agreeing to take a medication orally. It was a horrific experience. Anything that can cause this type of violent reaction in my mind is unhealthy."

• 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."

• 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."

• Cou...
• September 3, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "I am day 5 into the starter pack, and I have to tap out. It gives me headaches. It causes nausea, and the second I eat something, it causes loose, somewhat urgent bowel movements. The worst part, though, is the acid reflux thing going on. I am burping often and cannot sleep due to the burn. It's so uncomfortable, and I have been popping Rolaids like Tic Tacs. My doctor thought it would help with my nail psoriasis since it is so difficult to get rid of. I did have pretty stubborn psoriasis on my elbows that has never gone away with anything, and it took about a month for my insurance to approve the Otezla, so in the meantime, he did give me Clobex spray to try, and it's the best thing I've ever used. My elbows were clear in two weeks, as well as the rest of my body, and I have not used it in a week since we started Otezla, and nothing has come back. I am going to ask for more of this and try to use it more aggressively on the nails."

• Sev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2023

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Ever since I started this a few weeks ago, I wake up with terrible headaches, vivid dreams, and night sweats. I can live with nausea, but the upper belly back pain and indigestion are too much. Not sure so far if it is worth what I’m living with."

• Bat...
• March 31, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I started Otezla in Nov 2016. I don't find it effective for my moderate to severe psoriasis at all, in fact, I'm having breakouts in places that never had them before, and to make my issues worse, I'm riddled with pain unlike anything I had ever felt in my 42 years of being a psoriasis sufferer. The worst pains happen when walking, and I can only pinpoint 2 possible reasons for the pain: Otezla or Synthroid, or a combo of both. I started Otezla and Synthroid roughly at the same time, but after reading many posts, the pain seems common with both meds. Personally, I could try and deal with pain if Otezla worked better, or at least not break me out in areas that never had them. I eat a little before and after taking the pill and have not suffered diarrhea or nausea at all."

• DrM...
• June 19, 2020

For Behcet's Disease "I started using Otezla twice. The first 30 days it seemed to help, but when I stopped, I immediately developed psoriasis. I don't think it caused psoriasis. The 2nd time I started it, I had the same diarrhea and nausea as the first time, only after the 3rd week, I started having frequent migraines and severe low back pain. My oral ulcers went away, but nothing else. My pain medication had already been slashed down, making me bedridden. I just couldn't handle any extra pain. I believe it helped the psoriasis and the ulcers. If I could have been given medication to control my pain instead of the abuse heaped on those of us suffering, it may have worked. It caused severe diarrhea, which made me incontinent, but the medication Lomotil was even stopped because of the insanity of the opioid hysteria, so I was left incontinent! One thing I know is that people should not have to suffer uncontrolled diarrhea and pain because of hysteria over others who abuse illegal drugs! I have started Humira."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I'm five days in and had to stop taking Otezla due to the horrible side effects from this drug. I'm having every side effect you could think of: nausea, diarrhea, headache, vomiting, pain in my upper stomach so bad it was unbearable, and chest pains. I haven't spoken to my rheumatologist yet, but I chose on my own to stop taking this drug. Nothing helped for pain, and I couldn't keep any food or liquids down. Joint pain, as well as back pain, started getting worse."

• KBo...
• January 16, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "I'm writing this review because I know how much I relied on them when I was trying to decide if I would start Otezla. I have only been on Otezla for 16 days. I am taking 30 mg 2x a day...seems like maybe I skipped the starter pack? Headaches and nausea the first 2 weeks. Aspirin helps. A little bit of loose stools and loss of appetite, but those have gone away by now. I have not experienced any depression. It does seem like my scalp is clearing up, but my shins/legs are my big problem area. So far, I haven't seen much improvement on them. I will report back in April unless something awesome happens before then. This lotion is great: First Aid Beauty: ULTRA REPAIR CREAM INTENSE HYDRATION."

• red...
• May 25, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "On day 14 of Otezla. The usual occasional headaches that I have been plagued with for years are now daily and can be quite intense, which is resulting in lost sleep. The nausea is almost constant. I was hoping for some weight loss, none yet. No diarrhea, in fact, it seems to be the opposite at times. My red spots on legs, arms, feet, and hands have doubled. It's the start of summer, and I am so discouraged. I wear a long-sleeve shirt and long pants every day. I am constantly paranoid about my skin, and I stand a certain way so people won't see my ghastly looking feet. I don't like anyone walking behind me. I'm stubborn, so I will stick with it for now and just live with a headache, nausea, and lots of red spots."

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Started taking Otezla 12 days ago. I have experienced headache, nausea, fatigue, swollen and painful joints, upper right abdominal pain, swollen belly on the right side, feet pain, back pain, mild diarrhea, no ambition, hoarseness, light-colored stools. I still have to take indomethacin for joint inflammation and pain. I thought this drug would relieve my pain and prevent inflammation and further joint damage, instead, it has made it worse. I don't see the advantage of continuing to use it along with an anti-inflammatory drug. I might as well stick with indomethacin."

• TBB...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 20, 2023

For Plaque Psoriasis "Otezla has changed my life! I have been taking it for over a year. Prior to taking Otezla, I experienced severe scalp psoriasis and lost over 50% of my hair due to the constant scratching and picking at the scales. I was miserable. After 4 weeks, I saw an improvement, and after 4 months, my scalp was clear!! I have only had two “outbreaks” in the past year, and they have been very mild. My hair has grown back, my scalp is clear, and I am pain-free and happy. Otezla worked for me. I only experienced side effects in the first three weeks of nausea and headaches. No side effects since then."

• GAg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "My dermatologist put me on Otezla for granuloma annulare. Mine is rare in that it is widespread and 'recalcitrant.' I have been on it for almost 2 weeks now. I have nausea and bathroom urgency throughout the day, though it is lessening as the days go by. I have not yet reached the full dose as I was instructed to take a dose only on a full stomach and I am too nauseous to eat two large meals a day. So I'm up to 30 mg once a day. The headaches have mostly subsided, so it gives me hope that I will get acclimated to the other side effects. However, I am so uncomfortable and full of aches and pains and exhaustion that I can't tell if I'm depressed or not! I sure don't feel like doing anything at all. So time will tell. I revisit the derm at 5 weeks. So far, I have not noticed any changes in my GA lesions."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 22, 2024

For Plaque Psoriasis "Have had scalp psoriasis since I was a kid. Thin, almost like dandruff, no blood or large build up. Tried shampoos, steroids etc. This medicine cleared my scalp completely in just a few weeks, it was amazing. However, it stopped working after about 1 year. I took 1 pill 2x a day. I would forget to take it sometimes so I’m not sure if that’s the reason it stopped working. The side effects go away (nausea, diarrhea). Don’t be nervous to take this, this is actually one of the safer ones with less side effects. My doctor said it helps inflammation. Now I’m going to have to screw up my immune system with an injection"

• flo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2021

For Plaque Psoriasis "I started Otezla 6 weeks ago. The first weeks I had nonstop headaches, nausea, and stiff joints. With my doctor's approval, I backed down from the recommended 60 mg to 30 mg, and the side effects greatly improved. My skin was improving too! But then... the acid reflux hit. Brutal acid reflux, which aggravates my asthma, and those two together are not tolerable. I've had issues with GERD in the past, so Otezla is not all to blame. Just know if you are prone to GERD, Otezla may aggravate it even more so. I stopped Otezla 5 days ago. Acid reflux slowly improving with OTC meds. Disappointed that I could not continue with Otezla. Even with the lower dosage, my skin was looking much better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2021

For Plaque Psoriasis "I'm so happy I tried Otezla before reading the negative reviews. I was told it could take up to a month to start working, but I noticed results within three days of starting. I was worried about the doctor's warning that it could make me nauseous because I have a weak stomach, but luckily I never had ANY side effects. I've been dealing with psoriasis for 40 years and have tried many prescription medications. This is the first thing that has ever helped. Not only did it help, but after 5 weeks on Otezla, my psoriasis is now 90% cleared up. If it would have made me nauseous, I feel it may have been worth it for the results. I'm so grateful."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 24, 2021

For Plaque Psoriasis "Been on it for over 6 months now. Has horrible nausea and diarrhea from the start, with the symptoms still present but to a lesser extent now. My psoriasis really isn't getting better, and Betamethasone is the only one that seems to really work. Will probably have to find an alternative, but stuck through with it in hopes that it would work. Seems like a hit or miss for anyone who takes it."

• Spe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2022

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been taking this medication for 10 weeks now. My psoriasis has progressively gotten worse. I'm about 90% covered. I'm miserable. The nausea, diarrhea, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, muscle cramps, stinging itching pain... Yeah, I need to get off of this medication. I've become agoraphobic, I don't want anyone to see me like this. I'm miserable."

• pso...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2022

For Plaque Psoriasis "When I first started Otezla, I had pretty high hopes for it, especially when I saw my skin begin to clear up. Within the first month, I went from almost 90% coverage to maybe 10%, including some scarring. I was able to wear short sleeves/dresses again, but then Otezla lost its effectiveness around month 8/month 9 for me. In terms of side effects, I had some mild backaches and occasional nausea, but nothing I couldn't deal with. I'm now starting injection therapy, fingers crossed that it works for me!"

• mdg...
• October 9, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have had psoriasis since I was six years old (I am 22 now). My worst area has always been my scalp and elbows, with it extending to my torso, back, and legs. Recently, I have been under stress and I'm overweight, so my psoriasis is the worst it has ever been. My dermatologist decided on Otezla. They warn you about the most common side effects: nausea and diarrhea. I experienced these symptoms within two days of starting the medication. I will say right away it started working, clearing my scalp first (which is the first area it tends to start working on). Now, I am somebody who struggles with having diarrhea and can't deal with it emotionally. I had to stop the drug after only three weeks, which sucked because it was working amazingly for me."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2023

For Plaque Psoriasis "Otezla helped clear some of my psoriasis, but my whole body aches horribly. I did get nausea and diarrhea at the beginning, but it went away, however, my whole body is in pain, so I’ve decided to stop taking it. I feel like an eighty-year-old with horrible pain, and I wasn’t aware that this was a side effect, I thought it was menopause. As soon as I stop taking it, my body aches stopped."