Otezlaapremilast
According to the FDA label: OTEZLA/OTEZLA XR, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), is indicated for the treatment of: Adult patients with: Active psoriatic arthritis ( 1.1 ) Plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy ( 1.2 ) Oral ulcers associated with Behçet's Disease ( 1.3 ) Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with: Active psoriatic arthritis ( 1.1 ) Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy ( 1.2 ) In the pediatric…
144,030 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA (2012–2026)
Top Reported Adverse Events
The most frequently reported events in association with Otezla in the FAERS database. These are events reported by patients taking this medication, not necessarily caused by it. A single report may include multiple events.
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Diarrhoea 24,445 reports
Loose or watery bowel movements, often frequent. Also spelled diarrhea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Nausea 22,018 reports
The feeling of sickness in your stomach that often comes before vomiting.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Psoriasis 20,366 reports
A condition where skin cells build up and form itchy, scaly patches. It often appears in reports because it is a condition being treated.
Full definition in the glossary →Headache 17,784 reports
Pain in the head or upper neck.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Drug Ineffective 15,439 reports
A report that the medication did not work as expected for the person taking it. This is a reporting category, not a sign the drug is defective. It simply means someone felt it was not helping their condition.
Full definition in the glossary →Abdominal Discomfort 8,145 reports
A general unease or mild pain in the belly area.
Full definition in the glossary →Psoriatic Arthropathy 7,958 reports
A form of joint disease linked to psoriasis, often called psoriatic arthritis, causing joint pain and swelling. It often appears in reports as a condition being treated.
Full definition in the glossary →Pain 6,733 reports
A general report of physical discomfort, used when no more specific location is given.
Full definition in the glossary →Rash 6,607 reports
An area of irritated, red, or bumpy skin.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Vomiting 6,427 reports
Throwing up the contents of the stomach.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Arthralgia 6,317 reports
Fatigue 6,112 reports
Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that does not improve with rest.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Depression 5,488 reports
A persistent low mood, loss of interest, or feelings of sadness. If you are struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 in the US) is available 24 hours a day.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Off Label Use 5,148 reports
Using a medication for a condition or in a way that the FDA has not officially approved. This is common and often legal, and a report of it does not mean something went wrong. Doctors sometimes prescribe drugs off label based on their judgment.
Full definition in the glossary →Weight Decreased 4,992 reports
Ranked by frequency of reports, not severity. The most-reported event is not necessarily the most dangerous or the most common in patients taking this drug.
Who Is Reporting
Demographics of patients in FAERS reports that included this information. Not all reports include patient demographics.
By Sex
View reporter sex data as a table
| Sex | Reports |
|---|---|
| Female | 90,918 |
| Male | 46,535 |
| Unknown | 12 |
By Age Group
View age group data as a table
| Age group | Reports |
|---|---|
| 0-17 | 410 |
| 18-34 | 6,642 |
| 35-49 | 20,313 |
| 50-64 | 33,323 |
| 65-74 | 12,467 |
| 75+ | 5,136 |
This shows who filed reports, reflecting who takes this drug and who tends to report, not who is at greatest risk.
Reported Outcomes
Outcomes recorded in FAERS reports that included Otezla. A single report may involve multiple reactions, each with a different outcome. These categories are defined by FDA reporting guidelines, not by PillSignal.
View outcome data as a table
| Outcome | Reports |
|---|---|
| Non-Serious | 110,576 |
| Other Serious | 25,981 |
| Hospitalization | 11,150 |
| Death | 5,673 |
| Disability | 4,744 |
| Life-Threatening | 4,206 |
Serious outcomes are far more likely to be reported than mild ones, so this overstates how often outcomes are serious. A recorded death does not mean the drug caused it.
Report Volume Over Time
Number of FAERS reports received per quarter for Otezla. Changes in volume may reflect shifts in prescribing rates, media attention, or reporting behavior, not changes in the medication's safety profile.
View report trend as a table
| Year | Reports |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 1,244 |
| 2015 | 12,439 |
| 2016 | 13,932 |
| 2017 | 18,313 |
| 2018 | 19,926 |
| 2019 | 22,847 |
| 2020 | 19,780 |
| 2021 | 10,552 |
| 2022 | 7,337 |
| 2023 | 5,926 |
| 2024 | 6,020 |
| 2025 | 4,925 |
| 2026 (partial) | 782 |
The steep increase around 2004 reflects the FDA's move to electronic submission, not a change in this drug's safety. Trends track reporting volume, not risk.
Medications commonly reported with Otezla
In FDA adverse event reports that mention Otezla, these medications appeared most often in the same report.
- Methotrexate (12,221 reports)
- Adalimumab (10,123 reports)
- Prednisone (8,522 reports)
- Etanercept (8,503 reports)
- Secukinumab (8,305 reports)
This reflects co-occurrence in submitted reports, not evidence of drug interaction or combined risk. People often report several medications taken for the same condition or for unrelated reasons. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications.
Related Drugs
Other medications with similar adverse event profiles in FDA FAERS reports.
Data Source
This data is sourced from the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly FAERS, via the OpenFDA API. PillSignal is not affiliated with the FDA.
View this data on the FDA website →Data last updated: June 2026