BEFORE you use OTEZLA, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you:

  • have kidney problems
  • have a history of the heart condition tachyarrhythmia (fast heartbeat or heart palpitations)
  • have heart disease or congestive heart failure
  • have tuberculosis or a viral infection, such as viral hepatitis, herpes infection, or shingles
  • are using immunosuppressive drugs (such as cyclosporine)
  • have a history of depression and/or suicidal thoughts or behaviours
  • have low blood pressure
  • have any other medical conditions
  • are 65 years of age or older

OTEZLA can cause weight loss, so your doctor will need to regularly monitor your weight.

When not to take OTEZLA1

You should not take OTEZLA if you:

  • are allergic to apremilast or to any non-medicinal ingredient in the formulation
  • have one of these rare hereditary diseases:
    • galactose intolerance
    • LAPP lactase deficiency
    • glucose-galactose malabsorption (because lactose is a non-medicinal ingredient in OTEZLA)
  • are breastfeeding (it is not known if OTEZLA passes into your breast milk)
  • are younger than 18 years old
  • are pregnant or intend to become pregnant (it is not known if OTEZLA will harm your unborn baby; if you take OTEZLA while you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about how you can be included in the OTEZLA Pregnancy Registry)