Otezla Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Otezla (apremilast) is an oral medication that treats certain inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and mouth sores caused by Behçet’s disease. It works by reducing inflammation in the body, which can ease symptoms like joint pain, skin plaques, and mouth ulcers. But to get the most from Otezla treatment, it’s important to understand how to take it.

In this article, we’ll review the recommended Otezla dosages. Keep in mind that it’s best to follow your prescriber’s instructions, even if they differ from what’s described below.

What’s the typical Otezla dosage for adults?

Otezla is FDA approved to treat adults living with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Behçet’s disease. The Otezla dosage is the same, regardless of why you’re taking it.

The recommended Otzela dosage for adults is 30 mg twice a day. But you won’t start out with this dosage. Instead, you’ll start with a lower dose and work your way up to the target dosage over 6 days using the following schedule:

• Day 1: 10 mg in the morning

• Day 2: 10 mg twice a day

• Day 3: 10 mg in the morning; 20 mg in the evening

• Day 4: 20 mg twice a day

• Day 5: 20 mg in the morning; 30 mg in the evening

• Day 6 and after: 30 mg twice a day

Slowly increasing the Otezla dosage over time helps reduce stomach-related side effects. It typically comes in a starter pack that’s clearly labeled for each day of treatment to make the dosing schedule easier to follow. You should swallow Otezla tablets whole — don’t crush, chew, or split the tablets.

What’s the typical Otezla dosage for children?

Otezla is approved to treat moderate-to-severe psoriasis in children ages 6 and older who weigh at least 20 kg (44 lbs). Children who weigh 50 kg (110 lbs) or more will follow the adult Otezla dosage described above.

The recommended Otezla dosage for children who weigh 20 kg up to 50 kg is 20 mg twice daily. As with adults, children will start with a lower dose and work up to the target dosage over 4 days, as follows:

• Day 1: 10 mg in the morning

• Day 2: 10 mg twice a day

• Day 3: 10 mg in the morning; 20 mg in the evening

• Day 4 and after: 20 mg twice a day

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An Otezla starter pack is available to help make the initial dosing schedule easier to follow. As mentioned, you shouldn’t crush or chew Otezla tablets. So it may not be the best treatment option if your child has trouble swallowing tablets.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

The kidneys help remove Otezla from the body. If you’re living with kidney problems, you may need a lower Otezla dosage. This is because you may not be able to clear it from your body at a usual rate.

If you’re living with severe kidney problems, the recommended Otezla dosage is 30 mg once daily (20 mg once daily for children who weigh 20 kg up to 50 kg). When starting Otezla, you’ll follow the dosage schedule described above, but you’ll only take the morning doses and skip the evening doses. Your prescriber will let you know if this applies to you.

What happens if you miss a dose of Otezla?

If you forget to take a dose of Otezla, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s already time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your usual schedule. If you miss more than one dose of Otezla, reach out to your healthcare team for guidance about how to get back on track. 

What should you do if you take too much Otezla?

If you take an extra dose of Otezla by mistake, it’s not likely to cause a major problem. But you may experience more side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

There isn’t much information about the risks of taking a large amount of Otezla. If you or a loved one takes too much Otezla, it’s best to contact Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1212. You can also reach out to your healthcare team for guidance. 

How to save on Otezla

There are ways to save on Otezla, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between patient assistance programs and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Otezla’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for Otezla using a savings card from the manufacturer.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Patricia has 16 years of pharmacist experience. She previously held positions as a community pharmacist, pharmacy manager, and hospital pharmacist.

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