Otezla and Vomiting: What Users Say

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2020

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I began with two starter kits so I can double the time to gradually get to 30 mg twice a day. I hate it! Pain went from a 5 to a 9 within a day or two of starting. Severe back pain all over, hip pain, tightness around my ribs, and joint pains come and go in places I didn’t have problems with prior to Otezla. I'm experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, terrible GERD started two days ago, thought I was having a mini heart attack, my blood pressure jumps high all of a sudden. The first day or two became extremely weak. That’s a bit better. I am not convinced I even need to be on this, but my rheumatologist recommended it because I’m 47 and have had scalp psoriasis since I was 16. (Guttate covered my body for months until methotrexate saved me!) I also have severe back injuries. He thinks it will prevent bone erosion in my spine that he explained happens with this autoimmune disease. But honestly, I want to quit...when the future hits, I can deal with that then... what do you think?"

• Age...
• April 21, 2019

For Plaque Psoriasis "I had a horrible reaction to this drug. I am a healthy 29-year-old with awful scalp plaque psoriasis. I’ve tried every topical steroid with no change. After years of desperation, my new dermatologist recommended Otezla. I was excited for something different to treat this disease. The first day taking it, I immediately felt strange: lethargic, slightly dizzy, and just “out of it,” but I didn’t think anything of it. The next morning, I woke up hardly able to move my body, severe nausea, and vomiting immediately. I slept all day, and the worst part was that my body felt pain in every area. My back hurt, my joints, my muscles. It was absolutely horrible. There is no way I could continue taking this medication and function normally; it’s very perplexing to see people successful on this medication, but I guess everyone has a different reaction. Anyone else have the same experience? I would take an itchy, flaky scalp a MILLION times over this medication."

• Ben...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2015

For Psoriatic Arthritis "When I first started taking the medicine, I experienced diarrhea as expected. My nausea began to get worse. I thought I would give it a chance and ride out the side effects. They started getting worse, I am four months into this. I have been very sick because of this medicine. I went three days without being able to hold a meal down without vomiting. I have lost 15 pounds since starting. This medicine reacted badly with me, the bad outweighs the bad for me. I hope no one else has to go through this."

• Car...
• April 25, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have had severe psoriasis on my arms, legs, knees, back around, my waist, my buttocks, inside my urinary tract, and scalp. I work with middle school students, and some would ask questions about the thick plaque on my body. Some were sweet, some fearful that they would catch it, and some couldn't have cared less. After taking the Otezla pills, I saw rapid improvement within a few days. I also sparingly use endear spray, not often. The first two weeks, I either vomited or had diarrhea after I took the Otezla pills. After two weeks, I started taking the pill one hour after breakfast and one hour after dinner. No problems now. This pill has been a miracle pill for me. My entire body has healed up. My depression has gone, and I feel smooth."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I did read reviews before starting Otezla and was scared of the adverse reactions mentioned in almost every review. I am taking Otezla for a month now. I do not see any changes in my psoriasis yet, but I don't have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Just a mild headache, manageable. A couple of nights of light insomnia, but it went away in a week. I am kept going, will see how it works."

• eer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2019

For Plaque Psoriasis "I was okay with pushing through the vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and headaches. Then all of a sudden, the muscles in my legs cramped and seized up. Unrelenting, excruciating pain for 3 days. Went to a sports medicine clinic. They gave me a shot and muscle relaxers. Things started to improve. Well, yesterday, Christmas Eve, my muscles in my legs, then in my arms and hands, started up. I started getting pustular psoriasis in places I never had it. Horrible. Cannot sleep. I purposefully missed a dose of this stuff to see what would happen, and after about 12 hours it faded. Needless to say, it ruined my Christmas, and I’m stopping this drug."

• 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."

• ACa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2019

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have been taking Otezla for almost 2 months, and the side effects are terrible. I have had severe vomiting with or without meals. I am told to give it 16 weeks, yet also was told side effects would only last a couple weeks. In 8 weeks, I lost almost 20 lbs, but not in a good way. I just feel so unhealthy; the psoriasis at times looks better and other times worse. I’m considering coming off and seeing what else can be done. Doctors and pharmacies are really pushing this medication, but I am beginning to feel like a guinea pig. Side effects are just too severe."

• Sab...
• December 3, 2015

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

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2019

"I have been on Otezla for sixteen weeks now. I have Behçet’s disease, a rare form of vasculitis, which my doctor said Otezla will be approved by the FDA to treat by the end of this year. At first, I had headaches and horrible nausea, which wasn’t helped if I took it with food. The headaches have stopped, but not the nausea. I also have high blood pressure, which this drug has made worse, along with folliculitis. My hair has gotten very thin. I also have times when I have to hold myself back from vomiting. The pain in my joints has increased to the point that I can barely walk. I get pain in my spine (from my neck to my tail), knees, and hips. And it is severe. I take a large amount of opioids for chronic pain, and Otezla has negated any effect these have had. I was hoping I could quit taking the opioids with Otezla on board. I’m going to have to stop taking it because I can’t stand the pain and nausea."

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been on Otezla for 3 weeks for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It started out okay, but then I became nauseous, couldn't eat, had diarrhea, but I was managing. Then my joints got worse and worse, I couldn't move. The final straw was I took an evening dose and severely began vomiting. I stopped taking it and called the doctor. I have been without it almost 48 hours, and while my stomach is still a little queasy, I'm not nearly as sore and don't feel miserable. 90% of my symptoms came on as a result of this medication, it might have helped a little with my plaque psoriasis, but not enough to keep feeling miserable. We are looking into a new treatment."

• big...
• September 8, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "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 in my right shoulder. I thought I slept funny. But the pain was still bearable, and I thought it would go away, so I continued taking it, although I began having a hard time sleeping. The seventh day/evening, it got worse. Right after I took the evening pill, the pain in 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 urgent care. The next morning, both of my arms were in pain, I decided to stop taking Otezla. I should not have taken it in the beginning."

• son...
• July 5, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "I had to stop Otezla after 16 days due to vomiting and severe diarrhea. I felt generally fine until day 16 and was beginning to see improvements. Seven days now after stopping Otezla and still have 7-10 diarrhea episodes per day and significant fatigue. I do not plan to restart."

• Sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2024

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been on Otezla for 18 days for psoriatic arthritis (no rash). The morning dose is brutal, with horrific nausea and vomiting, diarrhea with fecal urgency, and a slight headache. After only 2 weeks, my joints feel better, and I am trying with all my might to tolerate this med. I thought it would ease up by now, but day 18 so far has been the worst. Overall, it is a great drug if the GI symptoms would let up."

• Ema...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2020

For Plaque Psoriasis "Was on it about 3 months, cleared my scalp psoriasis almost completely, but had terrible side effects. Continuous nausea and vomiting that Zofran could not help control. Every time I ate something, I either became very nauseous or got sick."

• 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."

• Oli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "I've just started Otezla and have had only the second day with some vomiting, but other than that, no real side effects. I'm hoping this is easier than I have read regarding the side effects. Will keep updating as I get further down the road."

• 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."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2024

For Plaque Psoriasis "I started on Otezla about 2 months ago. It's done wonders for my psoriatic arthritis and my psoriasis. However, I'm considering stopping the medication. The diarrhea, headaches, and vomiting continue. The worst part is the fatigue. I have zero energy and no ambition. I've had psoriasis for 61 years, and topical meds no longer work."

• Jbu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I started taking Otezla last week. I have had severe diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and mild dizziness. My doctor told me to wait until all symptoms disappear, then start with one pill and see. I don’t know how I’m going to tolerate this drug."

• Ana...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2024

For Psoriatic Arthritis "It really helps, but I have had a cough all day, and before I go to bed, I always throw up this bubbly phlegm, then I feel better. I have taken it for several months and wanted to think it wasn't the med, but since the hurricane, I have been without it for 15 days and have had no cough."

• Iva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2023

For Plaque Psoriasis "I have to say that this is not for me. Side effects after the second day: diarrhea, headache, nausea, and today was the worst day after 10 days. I had diarrhea and vomiting at the same time! lol, it was really disgusting, so I'm gonna stop taking this. I did not notice an improvement in my psoriasis. I will continue to use my betamethasone ointments. Good luck!"