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Is Otezla a biologic? What is Otezla used for?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on June 12, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

No, Otezla is not classified as a biologic agent. Otezla (apremilast) is a small molecule phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor approved by the FDA for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease. It is taken as an oral tablet.

Otezla, from Amgen, works by blocking the phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) enzyme to lower inflammation in the body. Patients may see an improvement within the first few weeks of treatment, but its exact mechanism is not known.

How do I use Otezla?

Otezla is approved to treat plaque psoriasis in adults and children 6 years of age and older (and weighing at least 20 kg), adults with psoriatic arthritis, and adults with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s disease.

Your doctor will slowly increase your dose of Otezla over the first 5 days when you start treatment will help to reduce the gastrointestinal (stomach) symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.

In adults, the oral dose will start at 10 mg per day and increase over 5 days to the recommended maintenance dose of 30 mg orally twice daily (in the morning and evening) starting on Day 6.

In children 6 years of age and older (and weighing at least 20 kg [44 pounds]) being treated for plaque psoriasis, the dosage is based on their weight.

Your healthcare provider will inform you of the exact titration schedule over the first 5 days to reach your maintenance dose.

In patients with serious kidney impairment, a dose reduction may be needed. Let your doctor know if you have kidney problems or disease.

Related questions

Side effects

Most stomach side effects, like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting and stomach pain, occur within the first weeks of starting Otezla treatment when they occur. In some cases, patients were hospitalized for these effects.

In addition, weight loss can be a significant side effect with Otezla. Your doctor will monitor your body weight regularly, and decide if it is safe for you to remain on Otezla.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had problems with mood or depression. You and your family members should be on the alert for signs of worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or other mood changes. If such changes should occur with your treatment, your doctor should be contacted immediately.

Other serious side effects may include severe allergic reactions.

Have your pharmacist or doctor review for Otezla drug interactions, as some “CYP inducers” medications that increase the action of CYP450 3A4 enzymes may lower the effectiveness of Otezla. Use of Otezla with these types of drugs is not recommended, and include carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and rifampin.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of the medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins and herbal or dietary supplements.

Bottom Line

References

Read next

Can you drink alcohol while taking Otezla?

There is no evidence that it is unsafe to drink alcohol while taking Otezla. However, there are other reasons why it can be beneficial to limit alcohol consumption if you have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Continue reading

How long does it take for Otezla to work?

Otezla (apremilast) is approved to treat plaque psoriasis in adults and children 6 years and older (and weighing at least 20 kg), as well as psoriatic arthritis and Behçet’s Disease in adults. Patients may start to feel an improvement within the first few weeks, but symptoms can further improve over 12 to 16 weeks. Continue reading

How to stop taking Otezla?

Otezla does not cause withdrawal symptoms when stopped, so it may be stopped suddenly, but there have been reports of people experiencing gastrointestinal complaints such as constipation, after they have stopped Otezla. This may be because Otezla tends to help bowels move much better, with some people reporting diarrhea or loose motions while on Otezla, and their stools become a lot harder once they have stopped Otezla. Other symptoms of their condition may also return. For this reason it may be better to reduce the dose of Otezla slowly over a week or two. Continue reading

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