Otezla Approved for Psoriatic Arthritis

Otezla (apremilast) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis, a condition associated with the autoimmune skin disease psoriasis.

Most people develop psoriasis first and are subsequently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Common symptoms of the latter are joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

Otezla was evaluated in clinical studies involving nearly 1,500 people with active psoriatic arthritis. In a Friday news release, the FDA said Otezla users should be monitored carefully for unexplained weight loss or signs of depression. Pregnant women must register for the drug's use, the agency added.

The most common side effects noted during clinical testing included diarrhea, nausea and headache.

Otezla is produced for Celgene Corp., based in Summit, N.J.

More information

The FDA has more about this approval.