Otezla and psoriatic arthritis: what to know

Psoriatic arthritis can cause joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and inflammation around tendons. Otezla, also called apremilast, works inside immune cells by adjusting a chemical signalling pathway involved in inflammation. It is not a painkiller and does not repair damaged cartilage. Your clinician considers the pattern of affected joints, skin psoriasis, other health conditions, and medicines before recommending it. Read more about [Psoriatic Arthritis](/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/), [Joint Pain](/symptoms/joint-pain/), and [Morning Joint Stiffness](/symptoms/morning-joint-stiffness/).

Treatment response varies. Some people notice digestive symptoms, headache, or changes in appetite or mood. Tell your prescriber about kidney problems, unexplained weight changes, depression, or thoughts of self-harm so the treatment plan can be made safely.

Take Otezla exactly as prescribed and follow any dose-escalation schedule. Do not double a missed dose unless your clinician specifically tells you to. Keep a record of joint swelling, morning stiffness, skin symptoms, bowel changes, and mood; this helps your clinician judge benefit and tolerability. Medication may be combined with an [Anti-Inflammatory Medication](/treatments/non-surgical-orthopedics/anti-inflammatory-medication/) or [Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/physiotherapy/) when appropriate. Do not stop it suddenly without discussing the reason.

Contact your prescriber promptly for severe or persistent diarrhoea or vomiting, marked weight loss, troubling mood changes, or an allergic reaction such as facial swelling or breathing difficulty. Seek urgent help for thoughts of self-harm or severe breathing difficulty. Arrange review if swollen or painful joints are worsening, because uncontrolled inflammation can affect movement and daily activities.

Ask whether Otezla matches your joint and skin symptoms, how kidney function affects dosing, which side effects deserve a call, and when your progress should be reviewed. Ask how to combine medicine with exercise, joint protection, and physiotherapy.