Otezla is a prescription drug used to treat psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and oral ulcers related to Behçet’s disease. If you’re considering Otezla or have been prescribed the drug, you may be curious about how well it works and how soon you might see results.
Otezla helps reduce inflammation in the body and may ease symptoms of the conditions it treats. This article covers what kind of results you might expect from Otezla, how long it may take to work, and what to do if you don’t notice improvement right away.
Studies show that Otezla can help reduce symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and oral ulcers related to Behçet’s disease. Many people who took Otezla in these studies had their symptoms ease after several weeks of treatment.
The following sections give an overview of how Otezla performed in these studies for each condition it treats. For more detailed information, talk with your doctor or view the drug’s prescribing information.
Psoriatic arthritis
In studies of Otezla for psoriatic arthritis, about 30% to 40% of people had reduced joint pain, swelling, and stiffness after 16 weeks of treatment. Some people also reported improvements in their ability to do everyday activities, such as getting dressed or walking.
Plaque psoriasis
In studies of people with plaque psoriasis, around 30% had clearer skin after taking Otezla for 16 weeks. Many people also reported less itchiness in their affected areas.
Behçet’s disease
In studies of people taking Otezla for oral ulcers related to Behçet’s disease, more than 50% of people were free of ulcers after 12 weeks of treatment. In addition, about 40% reported less pain from oral ulcers.
Otezla starts working in your body after the first dose, but it takes time to reduce inflammation and ease symptoms. How long it takes to see results can vary depending on your specific condition and how your body responds to treatment.
Some people may notice their symptoms easing within a few weeks. But it may take up to 4 months to see significant results from Otezla.
Keep in mind that your results with Otezla may vary from those seen in studies. If you’re not sure whether Otezla is working for you, talk with your doctor. They can help you understand what to expect and decide whether to continue treatment.
You may be curious about the physical changes to expect with Otezla treatment.
The drug manufacturer provides before-and-after photos on its website, showing how Otezla may improve skin appearance in people with plaque psoriasis. However, everyone’s experience with Otezla is unique. Your results may differ from those shown in the examples.
Your doctor can help set realistic expectations based on your condition, treatment goals, and overall health.
Otezla may help reduce symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and Behçet’s disease. But the drug usually takes time to work. In many cases, it can take several weeks or up to a few months before you start to notice changes.
To learn more about what to expect from Otezla treatment, talk with your doctor. They can help you decide whether Otezla is the right option for you or whether another treatment might be a better fit.