Otezla vs Humira

Otezla vs Humira – detailed comparison:

Otezla

It is the brand name of a drug called apremilast, which belongs to a group of drugs known as phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors.

The US Food and Drug Administration originally approved it in 2014. The medication is produced by Celgene Corporation, an American biotechnology company.

Uses

This prescription medication is used to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis. In addition, it is used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Dosage

The usual recommended dose is 30 mg orally twice a day with or without food. This medication is available as 30-mg oral tablets and a 2-week starter blister pack containing 10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg.

Side Effects and Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • a sore throat
  • diarrhea;
  • sneezing;
  • headaches;
  • stuffy nose;
  • nausea.

Rare side effects may include:

  • thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
  • worsening depression;
  • mood changes;
  • unexplained weight loss.

Contraindications

Before taking this medication, tell your healthcare provider:

  • if you take medications to treat tuberculosis or HIV/AIDS;
  • if you take seizure medications;
  • if you have kidney disease;
  • if you have a history of depression.

Alcohol

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication since alcohol use can substantially increase the risk of severe side effects.

Drug Interactions

It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:

  • Enbrel (etanercept);
  • Advil (ibuprofen);
  • gabapentin;
  • Aleve (naproxen);
  • ibuprofen;
  • humulin;
  • aspirin;
  • metformin;
  • atorvastatin;
  • methotrexate;
  • clobetasol topical;
  • omeprazole;
  • cyclobenzaprine;
  • Remicade (infliximab);
  • Cymbalta (duloxetine);
  • trazodone;
  • trulicity;
  • levothyroxine;
  • Zyrtec (cetirizine);
  • lisinopril;
  • tramadol;
  • Motrin (ibuprofen);
  • Stelara (ustekinumab);
  • prednisone.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

It is not known exactly whether this medication passes into human breast milk or if it could negatively affect a breastfed infant. Tell your healthcare provider that you are breastfeeding a baby before using this medication.

According to some studies, this medication could negatively affect a developing fetus. Tell your healthcare provider that you are pregnant or plan to fall pregnant before using this medication.

Humira

It is the brand name of a drug called adalimumab, which is part of a class of drugs called tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.

It is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, a top healthcare products manufacturer. It was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2002.

Mechanism of Action

This medication works by reducing inflammation and slowing the progression of inflammatory conditions by targeting a substance produced by the immune system, called TNF.

Uses

It is used to treat certain types of arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (an inflammatory disease that can cause some of the vertebrae in the spine to fuse), Crohn’s disease, plaque psoriasis, ulcerative colitis (a long-term condition that results in inflammation and ulcers of the rectum and colon), and chronic inflammatory skin disease, called hidradenitis suppurativa.

Dosage

For sufferers with ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis, the usual recommended dosage is 40 mg injected under the skin every other week.

For sufferers of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the usual initial recommended dosage is 160 mg on the first two days of treatment. Then, the treatment is continued for 2 weeks with 80 mg.

Contraindications

To make sure that this medication is safe for you, tell your healthcare professional if you have ever had:

  • any tingling or numbness;
  • cancer;
  • a nerve-muscle disorder, like – multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre syndrome;
  • chronic infections;
  • an allergy to latex rubber;
  • congestive heart failure;
  • if you have recently received a vaccine;
  • hepatitis B;
  • if are scheduled to receive any vaccine;
  • kidney disease.

Side Effects And Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • headaches;
  • bruising;
  • upper respiratory infections;
  • itching;
  • rash;
  • back pain;
  • redness;
  • nausea;
  • swelling.

Less common side effects may include:

  • hives;
  • chest pain;
  • pale skin;
  • numbness;
  • scaly patches;
  • new joint pain;
  • pus-filled bumps;
  • vision problems;
  • problems swallowing;
  • swelling of the face, ankles, feet, or lower legs;
  • rash on the arms or cheeks;
  • weakness in the legs;
  • trouble breathing;
  • unusual bleeding or bruising;
  • fever;
  • shortness of breath;
  • a sore throat;
  • dizziness;
  • chills;
  • itching.

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Drug Interactions

It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:

  • Cymbalta (duloxetine);
  • Aleve (naproxen);
  • levothyroxine;
  • amoxicillin;
  • Lyrica (pregabalin);
  • azathioprine;
  • meloxicam;
  • Benadryl (diphenhydramine);
  • Nexium (esomeprazole);
  • Celebrex (celecoxib)
  • Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine);
  • cyclobenzaprine;
  • prednisone;
  • gabapentin;
  • Tylenol (acetaminophen);
  • ibuprofen;
  • trazodone;
  • Imuran (azathioprine);
  • tramadol;
  • lisinopril;
  • omeprazole;
  • methotrexate;
  • metformin.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

According to some studies, this medication could negatively affect a developing fetus. Tell your healthcare provider that you are pregnant or plan to fall pregnant before using this medication.

It is not known exactly whether this medication passes into human breast milk or if it could negatively affect a breastfed infant. Tell your healthcare provider that you are breastfeeding a baby before using this medication.

Alcohol

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication since alcohol use can substantially increase the risk of severe side effects.

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Bottom Line – Otezla vs Humira

Otezla (active ingredient – apremilast) is a medication that works by blocking the action of an enzyme in the body that causes inflammation. It is in a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors. This medication is used to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It is the first treatment of active psoriatic arthritis approved by the US FDA.

Humira (active ingredient – adalimumab) is a medication that is used to relieve symptoms of Crohn’s disease, certain types of arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.

Regarding their price, the average retail price for 1 titration pack (28 days) of Otezla 10mg, 20mg, 30mg is $3,300, while the average retail price for a carton (2 pens) of Humira 40mg/0.8ml is $4,900.

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References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4517531/
http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPA
https://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/03/briefing/3930B1_02_

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