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Otezla guide: Uses, Benefits & More

Psoriasis, a common medical skin concern, is a chronic inflammatory condition that manifests as patches of itchy, flaky, or crusty skin in different colors as per the natural skin tones. The condition happens when an overactive immune system facilitates the skin cells' growth. It can occur due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors. There are different types of psoriasis, varying in severity from mild to severe. Pills are one of the effective systemic treatments for psoriasis. One of the popular brand-name effective pills for psoriasis is Otezla which you can inquire about with your healthcare provider and even learn more about in this article.

Otezla is a very familiar drug available at your nearest drug stores and even online pharmacies. If your doctor prescribes you with Otezla pills, the best is that you can buy Otezla online at a discounted price. Otezla cost is not very high; you can relax and explore the best, most competitive Otezla price by visiting our online pharmacy- CanadaPharmacyPro.

What is Otezla (Apremilast)?

Otezla is a brand name for a generic antirheumatic medication named apremilast. It is a prescription medicine that got its first FDA approval in March 2014 for treating patients with psoriatic arthritis. It is a primary medication for psoriasis treatment.

It’s been more than a decade now and in these many years, there have been different Otezla uses by doctors. In September 2014, the medication got FDA approval for use in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. In 2019, the medication got FDA approval for the treatment of oral ulcers associated with Behcet’s disease in adults. In 2021, the medication got FDA approval for the treatment of adults with plaque psoriasis of any severity level, and finally, in 2024, the drug got FDA approval for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in pediatric patients aged 6 years and above.

Otezla has Aprelimast as the active ingredient. Aprelimast is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE 4) inhibitor chemically designated as N-[2-[(1S)-1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(methylsulfonyl) ethyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-1H-isoindol-4-yl] acetamide. Aprelimast, the generic version of Otezla is not currently available.

What is Otezla (Apremilast) Used For: Who Should Take It?

Food and Drug Administration approves Otezla for relieving the following conditions:

  • Plaque Psoriasis - This is the most common form of psoriasis appearing as plaques with silvery-white scales. It mostly affects the skin of the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Otezla is prescribed to adults and even pediatric patients aged 6 years and above, needing systemic treatment or phototherapy for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. It helps relieve symptoms like itching, redness, and scaling.
  • Psoriatic Arthritis - It is a long-term inflammatory disease, a psoriasis complication where both the skin and the joints get affected. Otezla is prescribed to adults with active psoriatic arthritis. It helps reduce inflammation and joint pain/stiffness.
  • Behcet’s Disease for Oral Ulcers - Behcet’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder, a vasculitis where the blood vessels swell repeatedly leading to symptoms like oral ulcers. Otzela can be taken to treat oral ulcers in adults having Behcet’s disease.

How Does Otezla Work?

Otezla tablet when consumed works to inhibit the PDE4 (Phosphodiesterase 4) enzyme present in the inflammatory cells and has a role in the production of inflammatory mediators. This helps reduce inflammation in the body, potentially delaying skin cell growth and relieving psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis symptoms.

Contraindications

Otezla benefits can’t be enjoyed by:

  • Patients suffering from kidney or liver problems
  • Patients being treated with other medications known to cause drug interactions with Otezla
  • Patients having known hypersensitivity to ingredients of Otezla
  • People with infection, suspecting infection or having infection in the past
  • Patients who have or had diabetes, chronic lung disease, Hepatitis, HIV, cancer
  • Patients who are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or are breast-feeding
  • Small children.

Potential Side Effects of Otezla

Just like any other medication, Otezla intake too causes some side effects. But not every patient experiences them. Most of the unwanted effects are mild and temporary and rarely, the effects are serious, requiring prompt medical attention.

Some of the commonly reported Otezla side effects include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Cold symptoms like stuffy nose, sore throat, and sneezing
  • Upper abdomen pain.

Some of the serious side effects of Otezla that require prompt medical help include:

  • Severe stomach issues
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fluctuating mood/new or worsening depression
  • Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming oneself.

Otezla can have more possible side effects, talk to a doctor to get more details and even medical advice about side effects.

How to Take Otezla (Apremilast)?

Otezla tablets are available in three strengths (10, 20, and 20 mg) and is meant for oral administration. It should be swallowed whole with or without food, usually twice a day. Crushing, chewing, or breaking the tablet can reduce its efficacy. It’s recommended to take Otezla as per the prescription and directions/ instructions on the medication label.

The doctor suggests slowly increasing the Otezla dosage over the first week of the treatment to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms that may occur initially on intake of the pill. A treatment initiation pack is usually provided with pre-packed starting doses. Adjustments may be needed for the Otezla dose in some patients.

The suggested dosage schedule of Otezla for plaque psoriasis; Otezla for psoriatic arthritis; and Otezla for Mouth Ulcers in Behcet’s Disease in adults is as given below:

DAY DOSAGE
1 10 mg once in the morning
2 10 mg twice a day (morning and evening)
3 10 mg once in the morning and 20 mg once in the evening
4 20 mg twice a day (morning and evening)
5 20 mg once in the morning and 30 mg once in the evening
6 and onwards 30 mg twice a day (morning and evening)

The suggested dosage schedule of Otezla for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in children aged 6 years and above is as given below:


DAY DOSAGE (for children weighing between 20 and 50 kg) DOSAGE (for children weighing 50 kg or more)
1 10 mg once in the morning 10 mg once in the morning
2 10 mg twice a day (morning and evening) 10 mg twice a day (morning and evening)
3 10 mg once in the morning and 20 mg once in the evening 10 mg once in the morning and 20 mg once in the evening
4 20 mg twice a day (morning and evening) 20 mg twice a day (morning and evening)
5 20 mg twice a day (morning and evening) 20 mg once in the morning and 30 mg once in the evening
6 and onwards 20 mg twice a day (morning and evening) 30 mg twice a day (morning and evening)

Otezla Cost

Otezla's price can vary. It is influenced by various factors such as:

  • The treatment plan- the dosage/strength and the quantity of supply
  • The chosen pharmacy
  • Availability of a financial assistance/savings program.

To know the exact cost of Otezla for your purchase, speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or/ insurance provider.

At online pharmacies, Otezla is available for purchase at the best, competitive prices. If searching for a pharmacy offering reasonable Otezla price, visit CanadaPharmacyPro. With an online or mail-order pharmacy like CanadaPharmacyPro, you can have long-term savings on buy Otezla online and getting the medicine delivered to your home. Some Medicare plans may even cover the price of online-ordered medications.

FAQs

1. What are the top Otezla alternatives?

Most effective Otezla alternatives for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and plaque arthritis include biologics like Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Cosentyx (secukinumab), Stelara (Ustekinumab), Skyrizi (Risankizumab), and Remicade (Infliximab) and other oral small molecule alternatives like Cyclosporine, Methotrexate, Rinvoq (Upadacitinib), and Xelijanz (Tofacitinib).

2. How long does it take for Otezla to work?

Otezla starts showing its effect within the first few weeks of starting the treatment. Its full effects are typically noticed within 12 to 16 weeks or about 4 months of continued use. To get the best Otezla price get in touch with CanadaPharmacyPro.

3. Why does Otezla cause weight loss?

Weight loss isn’t a direct side effect of using Otezla. However, Otezla may reduce appetite, cause nausea and vomiting, and its working leads to fat metabolism- all contributing to weight loss.

4. What happens if I miss a dose of Otezla?

Take the dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it’s already the time to take the next dose. Avoid doubling the doses or overdosing.

5. When to stop Otezla?

Discuss with the doctor who prescribed Otezla as to when to stop its intake. Stopping the course of Otezla may be asked by the doctor if the patient’s condition isn’t improving, there is an allergic reaction, or unmanageable side effects.

6. What is the age limit for apremilast?

Aprelimast is meant for adults and pediatric patients aged at least 6 years having 20 kg body weight.

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