Otezla and menstrual cycle

[Melissapol]

Hi...I’m currently taking otezla, started about 5 wks ago. I had finished my menstrual cycle and it started again about 1 week after I had finished. Has this happened to anyone else taking this medication? I was able to find one post on the internet talking about people’s experiences with this, stating it caused more frequent menstrual cycles. I’m unable to find any other information linking the two. Just curious if anyone else has had this experience? I need to stay on this medication as my mouth ulcers are severe. I also take colchicine 2x/daily. Thanks!

[gillianTS]

Hi Melissapol

Have you seen this threads it appears these ladies agree that Otezla is causing them earlier menstruation etc:

drugs.com/answers/otezla-in...

inspire.com/groups/talk-pso...

[Melissapol in reply to gillianTS]

Hi....that was the only thread or info I’ve been able to find. I can’t find documentation or research anywhere else so was curious if anyone else was also experiencing this. I can’t imagine if this is an effect from the otezla that it would not be documented elsewhere as well. Thank you

[RW39 in reply to Melissapol]

Hello did you follow this up? I’ve been on this drug for about 9 or 10 weeks now for psoriasis and although it’s working well for that (and helping me lose weight!) I experienced a period 17 days into my cycle (which normally lasts about 27 days) and now, 13 days into my cycle, I’m feeling crampy and pre-menstrual again! I can’t think it can be anything other than this drug but like you I can’t find any hard and fast scientific research to back my thoughts up x

[Melissap33 in reply to RW39]

I asked my rheumatologist and she had not heard of otezla shortening one’s menstrual cycle. I’ve had a couple of very short cycles (17 days)but most of them have been approximately 24-26 days which is still shorter than my normal cycle of 28 days.

[Frogge]

I had that happen all the time even when I wasn't medicated. The doctor said it was just a Behcets problem. I ended up getting a hysterectomy. Best thing I ever did. However, I had already had all the children I was going to have... Good luck!

[Misch]

Hi! I have plaque psoriasis and my doctor recently started me on Otezla, I am about 11 days into the titrated started pack and I started my period today.....I was in menopause and have not had a period for 14 months! I was shocked so I started looking for similar situations and found this thread. I am not sure what to think. I see this is an older post, so I will keep looking. I hope you were able to find some answers!

[Kaialoha in reply to Misch]

I see this is an old thread, but this just happened to me. Except I had an ablation done (not menopause yet) and had not had a period in 15 years! Did you stop the med or stay on it and did it get better? I’m having much worse breast pain too and tight swollen feeling fingers and feet.