Key takeaways
- Otezla is a prescription medication to manage autoimmune conditions such as plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and mouth sores from Behçet’s disease.
- The usual adult dosage of Otezla is 30 mg twice per day, but doctors may recommend a lower dose for the first 6 days to reduce digestive side effects.
- Children with plaque psoriasis who weigh at least 44 pounds might be prescribed Otezla, with the dosage determined by their weight.
Otezla is prescribed to treat:
- plaque psoriasis in adults and some children
- psoriatic arthritis in adults
- mouth sores in adults with Behçet’s disease
The active ingredient in Otezla is apremilast. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Otezla belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors and comes as a tablet for you to swallow.
This article describes the dosages of Otezla, as well as its strengths and how to take it.
The following are details about Otezla’s form, available strength, and typical dosing. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. They’ll recommend the best dosage for your needs.
What is Otezla’s form?
Otezla comes as a tablet that you swallow.
What strengths does Otezla come in?
Otezla comes in the following strengths:
- 10 milligrams (mg)
- 20 mg
- 30 mg
What are the usual dosages of Otezla in adults?
The following information describes dosages commonly used or recommended. But be sure to follow your doctor’s dosing instructions. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
To decrease the risk of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, your doctor will likely recommend a special dosing schedule during the first 6 days of Otezla. The following table details these dosing instructions.
| Day of treatment | Morning dose | Evening dose |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 10 mg | –– |
| Day 2 | 10 mg | 10 mg |
| Day 3 | 10 mg | 20 mg |
| Day 4 | 20 mg | 20 mg |
| Day 5 | 20 mg | 30 mg |
| Day 6 and beyond | 30 mg | 30 mg |
By the sixth day, you’ll be taking your maintenance dose.
Maintenance dosage for plaque psoriasis
Starting on day 6, the recommended maintenance dosage for plaque psoriasis is 30 mg, taken twice per day.
Maintenance dosage for psoriatic arthritis
Starting on day 6, the recommended maintenance dosage for psoriatic arthritis is 30 mg, taken twice per day.
Maintenance dosage for mouth sores from Behçet’s disease
Starting on day 6, the recommended maintenance dosage for mouth sores from Behçet’s disease is 30 mg, taken twice per day.
What are the dosages of Otezla for children?
Otezla is prescribed to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in children ages 6 years and older who weigh at least 20 kilograms (kg) or about 44 pounds (lb).
The dosage for children with plaque psoriasis is determined by their weight. To reduce the risk of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, your child’s doctor will likely recommend a special dosing schedule during the first 6 days of Otezla. The following table details these dosing instructions.
| Day of treatment | Dosage for children weighing 20 to less than 50 kg | Dosage for children weighing 50 kg or more |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | • Morning dose: 10 mg • Evening dose: none | • Morning dose: 10 mg • Evening dose: none |
| Day 2 | • Morning dose: 10 mg • Evening dose: 10 mg | • Morning dose: 10 mg • Evening dose: 10 mg |
| Day 3 | • Morning dose: 10 mg • Evening dose: 20 mg | • Morning dose: 10 mg • Evening dose: 20 mg |
| Day 4 | • Morning dose: 20 mg • Evening dose: 20 mg | • Morning dose: 20 mg • Evening dose: 20 mg |
| Day 5 | • Morning dose: 20 mg • Evening dose: 20 mg | • Morning dose: 20 mg • Evening dose: 30 mg |
| Day 6 and beyond | • Morning dose: 20 mg • Evening dose: 20 mg | • Morning dose: 30 mg • Evening dose: 30 mg |
By the sixth day, your child will be taking their maintenance dose.
For children who weigh 20 kg to less than 50 kg, the recommended maintenance dosage is 20 mg, taken twice per day. For children who weigh 50 kg or more, the recommended maintenance dosage is 30 mg, taken twice per day.
For more information about Otezla’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.
Is Otezla used long term?
Yes, Otezla is usually used as a long-term treatment if it’s effective and well tolerated. Your doctor will help determine whether ongoing treatment is right for you.
Dosage adjustments
If you have severe kidney disease or kidney failure, your doctor will likely prescribe a dosage of 30 mg of Otezla that you take once per day. This gives your kidneys more time to remove the drug between doses. You’ll take only the morning doses mentioned in the earlier dosing schedule for the first 6 days of treatment.
If you have side effects from Otezla, such as severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, your doctor may adjust your dosage or recommend a different treatment.
What does Otezla cost?
The price for Otezla can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and whether you qualify for the Otezla copay card. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information.
Discover more about Otezla
What are the dosing instructions for the Otezla starter pack?
To make it easier to follow the dosing instructions during your first 6 days of Otezla, the drug is available in 14-day and 28-day starter packs. Each pack contains:
- four 10-mg tablets
- four 20-mg tablets
- three 30-mg tablets
The 14-day pack includes 16 additional 30-mg tablets. The 28-day pack includes 44 additional 30-mg tablets.
For detailed dosing instructions, see the table in the previous “What is Otezla’s dosage?” section.
Is there a 60-mg daily dosage of Otezla?
Yes. Otezla’s daily dosage is usually 60 mg per day. This dosage is divided into two 30-mg doses. You take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
Adults with plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and mouth sores from Behçet’s disease will likely take the same dosage. For children taking Otezla for plaque psoriasis, their doctor will prescribe a dosage based on the child’s body weight.
If you have questions about your daily dosage of Otezla, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The dosage of Otezla your doctor prescribes may depend on several factors, such as:
- your kidney health
- whether you experience side effects
- body weight, for children
To learn more about these two factors, see the earlier “Dosage adjustments” section.
Otezla comes as a tablet that you swallow. You can take Otezla with or without food.
Do not chew, crush, or split the tablets. If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, there are swallowing strategies that may help.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Otezla is available from specialty pharmacies only. Your doctor may be able to recommend specialty pharmacies that offer these accessibility features.
If you have difficulty opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Otezla in an easy-open container or provide tips to make opening the container simpler.
If you miss taking an Otezla dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. You should not take two doses of Otezla at once to make up for a missed dose. This may increase your risk of side effects.
To help manage your condition, it’s important to take your dose of Otezla as prescribed.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Otezla on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Otezla than your doctor prescribes. This could lead to severe side effects.
What to do in case you take too much Otezla
If you think you have taken too much Otezla, call your doctor right away. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
