Apremilast (Otezla®) Tablets for Plaque Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

What Apremilast Is and How It Works

Apremilast is an oral phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor for adults with plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Many patients know the brand as Otezla®. It is taken as tablets, usually twice daily after a short titration. If you are comparing apremilast 30 mg or checking apremilast tablets price, we can help you access Canadian pharmacy pricing.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy based in Manitoba. We meet Canadian pharmacy standards, and our pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing. We carry brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices and offer friendly customer-service chat during posted office hours.

As a PDE4 inhibitor apremilast increases intracellular cAMP and helps modulate inflammatory pathways. It lowers production of cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-17, and IL-23. This reduces skin plaques and joint inflammation over time. Doctors also use it for oral ulcers linked to Behçet’s disease in some regions.

We partner with licensed, audited pharmacies internationally to source authentic brands and a wide selection at affordable rates. If you are researching apremilast used for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, this apremilast medicine offers an oral, non-biologic option with a well-defined safety profile.

Dosage and Usage

Apremilast comes in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg tablets. The usual target dose is 30 mg twice daily. Start with a 5-day titration to lower stomach side effects.

• Day 1: 10 mg in the morning
• Day 2: 10 mg in the morning and 10 mg in the evening
• Day 3: 10 mg in the morning and 20 mg in the evening
• Day 4: 20 mg in the morning and 20 mg in the evening
• Day 5: 20 mg in the morning and 30 mg in the evening
• Day 6 onward: 30 mg twice daily

Swallow tablets whole with water. Take with or without food. Do not crush or split. In severe kidney impairment, a reduced dose of 30 mg once daily is used. Always follow your prescriber’s directions for your case.

• If you miss a dose, take it when remembered unless it is near your next dose.
• Do not double doses to make up for a missed tablet.

• Store apremilast at room temperature (15–30°C), away from moisture.
• Keep tablets in the original child-resistant bottle.
• When you travel, carry tablets in hand luggage with the label.

Benefits and Savings

Apremilast can improve plaque thickness, scaling, and redness. Many people also see less joint pain and stiffness in psoriatic arthritis. It is an oral option and does not require routine lab monitoring. For many, this is simpler than injections or infusions.

Canadian pharmacy pricing can offer 60–80% savings versus typical US prices. You can compare apremilast 30 mg price to Otezla 30 mg price and choose the product that fits your prescription and budget. We also carry otezla tablets when prescribed. Multi-month supplies may lower your per-month cost, and we can send reorder reminders before you run low.

You can order online or by phone where available. Our pharmacists can address medication questions, and our customer-service chat is available during posted office hours.

Side Effects and Safety

Most side effects are mild and improve after the first weeks. The known otezla drug interaction risk involves strong enzyme inducers, which can lower apremilast levels.

• Common: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, upper respiratory symptoms
• Other: abdominal pain, reduced appetite, trouble sleeping, weight loss
• Serious: severe diarrhea or vomiting with dehydration, marked weight loss, mood changes or depression, allergic reaction

Stop the medicine and seek care for signs of an allergic reaction (rash, swelling, trouble breathing). Tell your prescriber about mood changes. Use caution if you have a history of depression. Apremilast may cause weight loss; periodic weight checks may be advised.

Strong CYP450 inducers reduce apremilast exposure and may make it ineffective. Avoid rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and St. John’s wort. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist to review your full medication list, including supplements. There are no known required lab tests for routine use.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding data are limited. Discuss risks and benefits with your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Onset Time

Some patients notice early skin or joint improvement within 2–4 weeks. Clinical studies show clearer responses by 12–16 weeks. Your response can vary by disease severity and prior treatments. For Behçet’s oral ulcers, relief may occur sooner, but timing differs from person to person.

Compare With Alternatives

For psoriasis, topical corticosteroids and vitamin D analogs help mild disease. Moderate to severe cases often need systemic therapy. Methotrexate is a long-used oral option but requires lab monitoring and has liver and blood cell risks. Apremilast has a different safety profile and does not require routine labs.

Biologics such as adalimumab, etanercept, secukinumab, and ustekinumab are effective for both skin and joints. They are injections or infusions and often cost more. They can suppress parts of the immune system and may require screening and monitoring. Apremilast is not a biologic and works through PDE4 inhibition.

Another oral alternative is deucravacitinib (a TYK2 inhibitor). It has a different mechanism and monitoring needs. Choice depends on disease features, prior treatments, comorbidities, and your preferences. Discuss options with your prescriber to align goals and safety.

Combination Therapy

Apremilast is often used with topical steroids or vitamin D analogs. It can be combined with phototherapy when supervised. Many clinicians also use it with conventional DMARDs like methotrexate in psoriatic arthritis. Avoid combining with strong CYP inducers. Your care team will tailor your plan based on response and tolerability.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Apremilast suits adults seeking an oral, non-biologic option for plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. It may be a fit if you prefer tablets over injections. It can be considered when you want to avoid routine lab monitoring. Severe renal impairment needs dose adjustment.

If you are price-checking apremilast tablets 30mg, compare generic and brand to see which matches your prescription and budget. Ordering a multi-month supply can reduce the per-month price. We provide gentle reorder reminders so you have time to arrange your next fill. Our team can outline shipping options and help you plan refills around travel.

If you are researching apremilast fda, apremilast ema, apremilast bnf, or apremilast medscape, you will find consistent labeling themes: titrate to 30 mg twice daily, avoid strong CYP inducers, monitor for mood changes, and assess weight changes. For “otezla is for what” and “otezla ingredients,” note that the active ingredient is apremilast; inactive tablet components vary by manufacturer.

Current guidance does not support apremilast covid treatment. Ongoing studies have examined inflammation pathways, but apremilast and covid use is not an approved indication. Your prescriber will advise on approved uses and your personal treatment plan.

Authoritative Sources

Otezla (apremilast) US Prescribing Information by Amgen

FDA Drug Safety and Medication Guide resources for Otezla (apremilast)

European Medicines Agency EPAR for Otezla (apremilast)

Ready to get started? Order from YouDrugstore for Canadian pricing, careful pharmacist review, and prompt, express, cold-chain shipping to the US when required. Our customer-service team is here to help you compare strengths and plan refills.

This content is for general information. It does not replace medical advice. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the patient information with your medication. Seek medical help for severe or unexpected symptoms.