AMGEN and Otezla at AAD
Back to AAD Home

Safety

Safety data from Otezla® (apremilast) clinical trials

ADVERSE REACTIONS THROUGH WEEK 161

Adverse reactions reported in ≥1% of patients on Otezla and with greater frequency than in subjects on placebo; up to day 112 (week 16)1,*

Placebo(n = 506) n (%)
Otezla 30 mg BID (n = 920) n (%)
Adverse reaction
Diarrhea 32 (6) 160 (17)
Nausea 35 (7) 155 (17)
Upper respiratory tract infection 31 (6) 84 (9)
Tension headache 21 (4) 75 (8)
Headache 19 (4) 55 (6)
Abdominal pain† 11 (2) 39 (4)
Vomiting 8 (2) 35 (4)
Fatigue 9 (2) 29 (3)
Dyspepsia 6 (1) 29 (3)
Decreased appetite 5 (1) 26 (3)
Insomnia 4 (1) 21 (2)
Back pain 4 (1) 20 (2)
Migraine 5 (1) 19 (2)
Frequent bowel movements 1 (0) 17 (2)
Depression 2 (0) 12 (1)
Bronchitis 2 (0) 12 (1)
Tooth abcess 0 (0) 10 (1)
Folliculitis 0 (0) 9 (1)
Sinus headache 0 (0) 9 (1)

*The safety of Otezla was assessed in 1426 subjects in 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (including the ESTEEM studies).

†Two subjects treated with Otezla experienced serious adverse reaction of abdominal pain.

  • Discontinuation of treatment due to any adverse reaction was 6.1% for patients taking Otezla and 4.1% for placebo1
  • The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation for patients taking Otezla were nausea (1.6%), diarrhea (1.0%), headache (0.8%)1

The majority of patients reporting nausea and diarrhea did so within the first 2 weeks; the events tended to resolve over time with continued dosing2,3

  • Postmarketing reports of severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting have been associated with the use of Otezla. In some cases patients were hospitalized. Monitor patients who are more susceptible to complications of diarrhea or vomiting1

STYLE: Adverse reactions through week 164

STYLE: Most common adverse reactions reported in ≥ 5% of patients on Otezla and with greater
frequency than in patients on placebo through week 164

 
Placebo(n = 102) n (%)
Otezla 30 mg BID (n = 200) n (%)
Adverse reaction
Diarrhea 11 (11) 61 (31)
Nausea 6 (6) 43 (22)
Headache 5 (5) 24 (12)
Vomiting 2 (2) 11 (6)

Otezla was evaluated in a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis of the scalp. A total of 302 patients were randomized to receive Otezla 30 mg BID or placebo.1

  • Discontinuation rates due to gastrointestinal adverse reactions in patients who received Otezla 30 mg BID vs placebo, respectively1:
    • Diarrhea: 3% vs 0%
    • Nausea: 1.5% vs 1%
    • Vomiting: 1.5% vs 0%

Discontinuation of treatment due to any adverse event during the 16-week placebo-controlled period was 6% for patients taking Otezla and 3% for placebo1

Long-Term
Safety Data

Safety data from Otezla clinical trials

BID, twice daily; ESTEEM, Efficacy and Safety Trial Evaluating the Effects of Apremilast in Psoriasis.

INDICATIONS & IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
See More
INDICATIONS

Otezla® (apremilast) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.

Otezla is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

Otezla is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications
  • Otezla® (apremilast) is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to apremilast or to any of the excipients in the formulation
Warnings and Precautions
  • Diarrhea, Nausea, and Vomiting: Cases of severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting were associated with the use of Otezla. Most events occurred within the first few weeks of treatment. In some cases patients were hospitalized. Patients 65 years of age or older and patients taking medications that can lead to volume depletion or hypotension may be at a higher risk of complications from severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Monitor patients who are more susceptible to complications of diarrhea or vomiting; advise patients to contact their healthcare provider. Consider Otezla dose reduction or suspension if patients develop severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
  • Depression: Carefully weigh the risks and benefits of treatment with Otezla for patients with a history of depression and/or suicidal thoughts/behavior, or in patients who develop such symptoms while on Otezla. Patients, caregivers, and families should be advised of the need to be alert for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or other mood changes, and they should contact their healthcare provider if such changes occur
    • Psoriasis: Treatment with Otezla is associated with an increase in depression. During clinical trials, 1.3% (12/920) of patients reported depression compared to 0.4% (2/506) on placebo. Depression was reported as serious in 0.1% (1/1308) of patients exposed to Otezla, compared to none in placebo-treated patients (0/506). Suicidal behavior was observed in 0.1% (1/1308) of patients on Otezla, compared to 0.2% (1/506) on placebo. One patient treated with Otezla attempted suicide; one patient on placebo committed suicide
    • Psoriatic Arthritis: Treatment with Otezla is associated with an increase in depression. During clinical trials, 1.0% (10/998) reported depression or depressed mood compared to 0.8% (4/495) treated with placebo. Suicidal ideation and behavior was observed in 0.2% (3/1441) of patients on Otezla, compared to none in placebo-treated patients. Depression was reported as serious in 0.2% (3/1441) of patients exposed to Otezla, compared to none in placebo-treated patients (0/495). Two patients who received placebo committed suicide compared to none on Otezla
    • Behçet’s Disease: Treatment with Otezla is associated with an increase in depression. During the clinical trial, 1% (1/104) reported depression or depressed mood compared to 1% (1/103) treated with placebo. No instances of suicidal ideation or behavior were reported in patients treated with Otezla or treated with placebo
  • Weight Decrease: Monitor body weight regularly; evaluate unexplained or clinically significant weight loss, and consider discontinuation of Otezla
    • Psoriasis: Body weight loss of 5-10% occurred in 12% (96/784) of patients treated with Otezla and in 5% (19/382) of patients treated with placebo. Body weight loss of ≥10% occurred in 2% (16/784) of patients treated with Otezla compared to 1% (3/382) of patients treated with placebo
    • Psoriatic Arthritis: Body weight loss of 5-10% was reported in 10% (49/497) of patients taking Otezla and in 3.3% (16/495) of patients taking placebo
    • Behçet’s Disease: Body weight loss of >5% was reported in 4.9% (5/103) of patients taking Otezla and in 3.9% (4/102) of patients taking placebo
  • Drug Interactions: Apremilast exposure was decreased when Otezla was co-administered with rifampin, a strong CYP450 enzyme inducer; loss of Otezla efficacy may occur. Concomitant use of Otezla with CYP450 enzyme inducers (e.g., rifampin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin) is not recommended
Adverse Reactions
  • Psoriasis: Adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of patients were (Otezla%, placebo%): diarrhea (17, 6), nausea (17, 7), upper respiratory tract infection (9, 6), tension headache (8, 4), and headache (6, 4)
  • Psoriatic Arthritis: Adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients taking Otezla, that occurred at a frequency at least 1% higher than that observed in patients taking placebo, for up to 16 weeks (after the initial 5-day titration), were (Otezla%, placebo%): diarrhea (7.7, 1.6); nausea (8.9, 3.1); headache (5.9, 2.2); upper respiratory tract infection (3.9, 1.8); vomiting (3.2, 0.4); nasopharyngitis (2.6, 1.6); upper abdominal pain (2.0, 0.2)
  • Behçet’s Disease: Adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of patients taking Otezla, that occurred at a frequency at least 1% higher than that observed in patients taking placebo, for up to 12 weeks, were (Otezla%, placebo%): diarrhea (41.3, 20.4); nausea (19.2, 10.7); headache (14.4, 10.7); upper respiratory tract infection (11.5, 4.9); upper abdominal pain (8.7, 1.9); vomiting (8.7, 1.9); back pain (7.7, 5.8); viral upper respiratory tract infection (6.7, 4.9); arthralgia (5.8, 2.9)
Use in Specific Populations
  • Pregnancy: Otezla has not been studied in pregnant women. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk of fetal loss. Consider pregnancy planning and prevention for females of reproductive potential. There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to Otezla during pregnancy. Information about the registry can be obtained by calling 1-877-311-8972 or visiting https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/otezla/
  • Lactation: There are no data on the presence of apremilast or its metabolites in human milk, the effects of apremilast on the breastfed infant, or the effects of the drug on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Otezla and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Otezla or from the underlying maternal condition
  • Renal Impairment: Otezla dosage should be reduced in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min); for details, see Dosage and Administration, Section 2, in the Full Prescribing Information

Please click here for Full Prescribing Information.

References: 1. Otezla [package insert]. Thousand Oaks, CA: Amgen Inc. 2. Papp K, Reich K, Leonardi CL, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;73(1):37-49. 3. Paul C, Cather K, Gooderham M, et al. Br J Dermatol. 2015;173(7):1387-1399. 4. Van Voorhees AS, Gold LS, Lebwohl M, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.01.07.