How much is Otezla without insurance?

Otezla (apremilast) is an oral medication used to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Behçet’s disease–related mouth ulcers. Without insurance, the cost is very high.

The list price for a 30‑day supply (#60 tablets of 30 mg) is about $4,600. Specialty pharmacy retail price averages around $5,000 per month, or roughly $60,000 per year, when paid out-of-pocket.

Amgen offers several assistance programs to reduce or eliminate out‑of‑pocket costs. Read on for details.

Otezla FAQs

What is Otezla used for?

  • Active psoriatic arthritis
  • Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (systemic or phototherapy candidates)
  • Oral ulcers due to Behçet’s disease

How does Otezla work?

Otezla contains apremilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor. It reduces inflammation by blocking PDE4 in immune cells, alleviating symptoms of psoriasis and arthritis.

What are the side effects?

Common side effects:

  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Upper respiratory tract infection

Other possible effects:

  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Stomach, back, or joint pain
  • Nasopharyngitis
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Indigestion

Rare severe effects:

  • Severe allergic reactions (hives, facial swelling, breathing difficulty)
  • Severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
  • Worsening depression or suicidal thoughts

What drugs interact with Otezla?

  • Carbamazepine
  • Phenytoin
  • Phenobarbital
  • Rifampin

Otezla should not be taken with these medications.

Cost and Assistance Programs

Cash Price

Without insurance coverage, expect to pay around $5,000 for a 30‑day supply (#60 tablets).

Insurance Coverage

Otezla is covered for 99% of commercially insured patients. Check your plan for copay details.

Specialty Pharmacy and Online Savings

Otezla is dispensed via specialty pharmacies. Online pharmacies such as Universal Drugstore (UDS) may offer savings, though specialty drugs are often not available at standard discount rates.

Canadian Pricing

At UDS, #60 tablets of Otezla 30 mg cost about $735 (October 2023), representing up to 80% savings off U.S. prices.

Amgen SupportPlus Programs

Co‑Pay Card: Insured patients pay $0 per fill. Not available to those with Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or other government programs. Call 1‑844‑4OTEZLA for details.

Bridge to Commercial Coverage: Up to 12 free fills in 12 months while awaiting prior authorization approval.

Amgen Safety Net Foundation: Provides free or discounted Otezla for eligible uninsured or underinsured patients.

How to Pay Less

  • Verify insurance coverage or explore new plans
  • Check Medicaid eligibility
  • Use discount cards for available savings at retail pharmacies
  • Compare prices across specialty and online pharmacies
  • Discuss alternative therapies with your provider (tofacitinib, rituximab, upadacitinib, abatacept, clobetasol, tocilizumab)

Related Medications

  • Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib)
  • Rituxan (rituximab)
  • Rinvoq (upadacitinib)
  • Orencia (abatacept)
  • Temovate Ointment (clobetasol)
  • Actemra (tocilizumab)

Sources