Otezla for Plaque Psoriasis User Reviews (Page 5)

• Bamiyan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2018

"Been psoriatic since 1999, sometimes very bad. I am 51 year old. I have been on Otezla for about 3 months and skin has cleared. Initially it was bad when I followed a timed regime to take the medicine twice daily. I changed that (my decision) to take it along with two large meals which for me is brunch and dinner. Since my stomach movements are now too frequent, my skin is clear besides significant loss of weight, good bpm score, lesser exhaustion and more energy for exercise! Good job Celgene"

• tjm
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2015

"Now have 8 weeks completed with Otezla. The side effects are getting better. Less trips to the bathroom, nausea gone. Skin is getting better. Still have visible patches on my legs, but they are less angry looking. The itching has been reduced also. Taking 30mg twice a day."

• HHano
• March 7, 2017

"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. Everyones' 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 because 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 Dr. 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"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 20, 2016

"I have been on Otezla for about 18 months and am very satisfied. The only side effect has been the loose stool that most people have experienced. Prior to taking this medication I was getting 12 to 15 shots per month on my scalp and all over my legs directly into the outbreaks. Additionally was using prescribed creams, lotions and shampoo. My scalp was so bad that the psoriasis covered a patch of skin cancer that was probably growing for over a year. It was detected as I insisted on a biopsy of the area because that one area was not responding to treatment. Except for one or two small patches my skin is free and clear. Insurance is a problem, however, these is a prescription assistance program available and you can be reimbursed."

• Big...
• July 8, 2017

"I was on Humira for several years, and it worked great. Eventually though, my body started making antibodies against the Humira, and it started working with less efficacy. I then switched to Otezla. I once did a trial study of a pill version of a ps med (the only one I had ever heard of at the time), and it worked great, so I was pretty hopeful as I started Otezla. For me, I could literally feel the Humira leaving my body. For those of you with bad ps, I started feeling those pins and needles again. I gave Otezla almost 6 months before calling my Rheum doc and asking if I could try something else and here I am. I'm not scaling a ton, but I'm constantly itchy (hard to sleep). I've tried a lot and some have worked. For me, Otezla doesn't."

• Regre...
• January 3, 2017

"My experience with Otezla was brutal, I had extreme issues with the company itself it was as if no one was on the same page, some times the medicine wouldn't get there before I ran out and was being told 10 different things from their reps. Trying to get insurance to assist did not happen. I would never recommend this product or co. My usage saw very, very, minimal results after 3 months straight. I saw maybe a 1/2 of a percent change in appearance etc. And what they don't tell you is if you have to stop to taking this medication re: Can't afford it etc. Your Psoriasis will not only fully return but it sends it into Hyper drive creating way worse conditions than you started with."

• HGano
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 5, 2018

"After trying other treatments for 22 years, to no avail, my derm gave me a few starter packs when Otezla first came out. Within 6 weeks my skin was much better. Within 4 months my psoriasis was GONE. I kept taking for 3 years after a war with my insurance co (they finally covered it, thanks to my determined doctor who saw the results) and then decided to pull back to one a day instead of two afraid they’d stop paying when I had to switch insurance companies. I even went on vacation for 2 weeks and forgot my pills entirely. My psoriasis still didn't come back and hasn't despite the fact that I take maybe 3 pills a week. I think it may have actually cured me! This is truly a miracle drug for those whose systems can take it. And I never had side effects worse than some running to the bathroom issues in the first months. God bless whomever discovered Otezla!!"

• Mimim...
• July 12, 2016

"So far so great! I've had zero gastro-intestinal 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 body feels great! I have 1 bridging pack and now comes the challenge of getting my insurance to cover it... fingers crossed!!!"

• Sabrina...
• December 3, 2015

"I started on this in September 2014. Went through a very rough 3 months of sickness some weight loss, dizziness, diarrhea, 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 Dr telling me medicine shouldn't effect 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 in medicine and I'm not functioning. Headache, can't open my eyes of I do I throw up. I don't know what to think."

• Kate
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2019

"I started Otezla in April 2019. The nausea and stomach cramps were bad but with OTC anti diarrheal and a prescription for an anti nausea med I managed for the 2 weeks it took to end. My plaque psoriasis began to clear up and I ended up being about 85% clear. Then, in August 2019, I began to flare up. I have one more month of pills left (insurance ended and I don't have hundreds of $ to pay out of pocket) then I'm done."

• JeanG...
• September 30, 2016

"I have been taking Otzela 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 starting returning a couple of years ago and I had a severe flair last winter that would not respond to anything. 90% of my arms and legs were covered, with many lesions on my lower back and ears. The Otzela 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 and hoping for a compromise."

• Mommy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2016

"Started Otezla 7 days ago, I usually tolerate new drugs well but this was different, the nausea was the worst on the first three days but I think my body is starting to adjust. I have spent the last week in bed but I'm starting to see my plaque starting to clear . I will update in a week hopefully my body will be fully adjusted to Otezla"

• Wonde...
• June 19, 2017

"Thank you Celgene for creating such a wonderful medicine. I have been using it for a year and it has really lessened the effects of my plaque psoriasis. As an added benefit, it has helped me to lose weight, and I no long crave sweets! It's an all-round wonderful thing!"

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

"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."

• deb
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2019

"was on Otezla for one month, got severe bone pain, all my joints hurt, but severe back back that has never gone away. I'm going for MRI tomorrow. bone pain continues but low back is the worse, but did help with rash, soon as I stop, the rash came right back"

• MadSw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 13, 2017

"For me it works pretty good but not perfect . It surely makes my Psoriasis better , but it will not really disappear totally . I'd say it takes away 75% of Everything , but when you stop with Otezla , it all comes back worse than ever . But a combination of Dervovat and Otezla works great for me . Here in sweden we pay a maximum of 220 USD/Year for drugs . Then it`s free :-) . Since Otezla costs 750 USD/ Month here , I'm thankful for that ."

• early...
• June 23, 2017

"I have been on and off otezla for a year-and-a-half now. I took it for about four months with horrible upset stomach. I did see improvement with my plaque psoriasis on my knees and elbows. I quit otezla because it made my stomach so upset. My psoriasis came back worse than ever. Which freaked me out. Most other medications have even worse side effects so I chose to try otezla again. I have now been back on otezla for about a year. My plaque psoriasis is 75% clear. If I do not stay on a rigid Regiment of taking my pills twice a day my psoriasis immediately comes back worse and my stomach will become upset again. Still not sure what I think of otezla."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2018

"I hated this drug! I made me feel depressed, feel sick, and tired all the time! I would rather have what it is supposed to temporarily relieve symptoms of- than to go through all of the side effects. why do the pharmaceutical corporations always try just try to rent us reductions to symptoms rather than cure the problem? One word; "Profit!""

• katrins...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2017

"I am 8 weeks in now. Hands and scalp are pretty clear. I am noticing improvement on my legs and elbows. Feet are clearing nicely too. Still have occasional nausea in the morning. I feel better if I eat a good breakfast and hydrate. I am very optimistic I will be clear for summer. No headaches so far. No weight loss unfortunately."

• stace...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2019

"I took Otezla for two weeks. It caused extreme joint pain. My pain started in my shoulders and would go to various joints including my shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, hips, and toes. This pain became extreme and it also caused weakness. I was unable to get out of a bathtub due to the pain. This medicine is not worth the pain I experienced."

• Margot
• October 19, 2016

"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 wakefullness 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!!"

• biggest...
• September 8, 2017

"The very first day I took otezla it felt like I was going to vomit but I didn't so I continued taking it. Then after taking the second and third ones for the evening I started having pains on my right shoulder. I thought I slept funny. But the pain was still bearable and I thought it will go away so I continued taking it although I began having a hard time sleeping. The seventh day/evening it got worst. Right after I took the evening pill the pain on my right shoulder went all the way to my arms and my right fingers. I was up until 3 in the morning I couldn't sleep and thought of going to the urgent care. The next morning, both of my arms are in pain, I decided to stopped taking Otezla. I should have not taken it in the beginning."

• Tom
• April 18, 2018

"had upset stomach for 5 days but it went away. No other side effects. I took about 6 months to get the same level of clearance as Humira, which I was on before. no needles no infections no labs essentially, I got clearance with zero side effects good luck to all"

• Karly
• June 21, 2016

"I was on Otezla for 3 months and saw some clearing on my skin and definitely had severe headaches and diarrhea, but had to 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 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 places I never had psoriasis, to top it all off, I developed yet another respiratory infection and was told by 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."

• Vaneet
• August 12, 2017

"This medicine is miracle to me. I have psoriasis from last 7 years. I tried all diff type of med from prescription to over the counter tablets and creams but nothing was working. I was getting depressed and anti social. For me it was looks like my Dr was just making money from me and not doing enough. I changed my dermatologist and got new one, then my new Doc prescribed me Otezla which I start taking twice a day sometime once a day. I seen my skin start getting clear. Today was the first day my hands was totally clear. I was so happy. I lost few pounds while I am taking this pills also I am more sexually active. Thanks to the creator of this pill!!"