Otezla® (Apremilast) for Plaque Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

What Otezla® Is and How It Works

Apremilast is an oral phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor used to treat inflammatory skin and joint disease. It is the active ingredient in Otezla®. This apremilast drug is used for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, and for oral ulcers associated with Behçet disease. Tablets are available in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg strengths, with apremilast 30 mg used for maintenance in most adults.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba, and prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing.

As a PDE4 inhibitor, apremilast increases intracellular cAMP, which helps downregulate multiple inflammatory mediators. This targeted mechanism offers symptom relief without broad immunosuppression. The medicine is taken by mouth, typically twice daily after a brief dose-escalation. Apremilast is FDA approved, and Otezla USPI and FDA labeling outline the complete prescribing details. Patients often ask, “Otezla is for what?” In practice, clinicians consider it for plaque psoriasis needing systemic therapy, for psoriatic arthritis, and for Behçet-related mouth ulcers. The product is sometimes described as apremilast PDE4 therapy or simply a PDE4 inhibitor apremilast.

Dosage and Usage

• Starter titration to reduce stomach upset (Days 1–5): Day 1: 10 mg morning; Day 2: 10 mg morning and 10 mg evening; Day 3: 10 mg morning and 20 mg evening; Day 4: 20 mg morning and 20 mg evening; Day 5: 20 mg morning and 30 mg evening.
• Maintenance from Day 6: 30 mg by mouth twice daily.
• Severe renal impairment: a reduced schedule and 30 mg once daily maintenance are recommended per the label; the prescriber will specify the exact titration.
• Take tablets whole with water. You can take them with or without food. Do not split, crush, or chew.
• Take doses at the same times each day to support consistency.
• Missed dose: if remembered shortly after the scheduled time, take it. If your next dose is near, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Do not double up.
• Drug interactions: avoid strong CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and St. John’s wort, as these can lower apremilast levels.

• Storage: store your tablets at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). Short excursions 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) are acceptable.
• Keep tablets dry in the original bottle or blister until use. Protect from moisture.
• Do not store in a bathroom or in a hot car.
• Travel: keep medicine in your carry-on. Bring your prescription label and a copy of your order invoice.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Apremilast tablets offer oral convenience with no routine lab monitoring required for most patients. Many people see fewer plaques, less scaling and itching, and improved joint pain and stiffness. The medicine is taken as apremilast tablet doses twice daily after the short start-up schedule, which supports adherence compared with some injectable options. Otezla tablets do not require refrigeration and are discreet to carry.

Costs matter. Ordering from a licensed Canadian pharmacy often leads to 60–80% savings versus typical US prices. If you are comparing apremilast 30 mg price, note that multi-month supplies may lower per-month costs, and reorder reminders can help you avoid gaps. Some shoppers compare the Otezla 30 mg price with the apremilast tablets 30 mg price to choose the best option for their budget.

We work with licensed, vetted international partner pharmacies to source authentic brand medications alongside generics, offering a broad selection at affordable pricing.

Side Effects and Safety

• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Upper respiratory tract infection or cough
• Abdominal pain or indigestion
• Decreased appetite and weight loss
• Fatigue or insomnia
• Back pain

Serious but less common risks include depression, mood changes, and suicidal thoughts or behavior; stop therapy and contact a clinician if these occur. Severe diarrhea can cause dehydration. Hypersensitivity reactions are rare. Use caution in underweight individuals due to potential weight loss. Strong CYP3A4 inducers can reduce effectiveness; review Otezla drug interaction guidance. In pregnancy and breastfeeding, risk-benefit should be carefully assessed with a healthcare professional.

Onset Time

Skin improvements may start within 2–4 weeks, with further gains through 12–16 weeks as the dose stabilizes. Joint symptoms in psoriatic arthritis often continue to improve over 4–16 weeks. For Behçet disease, mouth ulcers may lessen within the first 2 weeks. Response varies, and some patients need a longer trial period to judge benefit.

Compare With Alternatives

Methotrexate is a weekly oral disease-modifying agent used for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It can be effective and affordable but requires lab monitoring and has liver and blood-related risks. Apremilast does not require routine lab monitoring and has a different side-effect profile.

Biologics such as adalimumab or secukinumab are injectable treatments with strong efficacy for skin and joints. They may need refrigeration and have higher costs and infection risks. Apremilast provides an oral, non-biologic option for those who prefer tablets or who are not candidates for injectable therapy.

Acitretin is an oral retinoid for psoriasis. It can help plaque clearance but is not for psoriatic arthritis and is teratogenic, requiring strict pregnancy precautions. Choice of therapy depends on disease severity, comorbidities, and patient preferences.

Combination Therapy

• Topical corticosteroids or vitamin D analogs for localized plaques.
• Phototherapy combined with systemic apremilast in select cases.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for joint pain relief.
• Conventional DMARDs such as methotrexate may be used with apremilast in psoriatic arthritis.
• Avoid strong CYP3A4 inducers that reduce apremilast levels.
• Adjust dosing in severe renal impairment per labeling to maintain safety.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy, and those with active psoriatic arthritis, may be considered for apremilast. It suits people seeking an oral option without routine laboratory monitoring. Those preferring to avoid injections or refrigeration may also value Otezla tablets.

Apremilast may not be suitable for individuals with severe renal impairment without dose adjustment, those with significant unexplained weight loss, or those with a history of depression or suicidal ideation unless carefully monitored. Discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding plans with a clinician before starting treatment. The active ingredient is apremilast; inactive excipients vary by manufacturer, so check the package insert if sensitivities are a concern.

Apremilast and COVID: apremilast is not broadly immunosuppressive, and infection rates in trials were similar to placebo. People should follow public health guidance on vaccination and illness prevention and work with their healthcare team when making treatment decisions.

To reduce costs, consider generic apremilast when available, compare apremilast tablets price across strengths, and use multi-month fills when possible. You can set gentle email reminders to reorder before you run out. Orders ship with prompt, express service. Pricing can differ between brand Otezla tablets and generic apremilast tablets.

Authoritative Sources

Otezla US Prescribing Information (Amgen)

FDA Prescribing Information for Otezla (apremilast)

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Apremilast

Order Otezla® from Youdrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express shipping.

This content is educational and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about diagnosis, treatment, and medicines.