Systemic Treatments You Can Get from Your Doctor
When large body surfaces are covered with psoriasis, arthritis is involved, or the lesions are resistant to treatment with topical medications, then systemic treatment is required. Systemic medications are available in the form of pills and injections with recently introduced "biologics" ushering in a new era in psoriasis treatment.
Ustekinumab - A Biologic with Quarterly Dosing
Ustekinumab is a biologic drug for psoriasis currently in development with very long lasting results
Ustekinumab is a biologic drug for psoriasis currently in development with very long lasting results
Psoriasis Drugs in Development
There are always several drugs "in the pipeline" of development for psoriasis at any given time. Usually these are in some stage of FDA clinical trial testing. Many newer drugs are of the biologic class but "upgrades" of older drugs and brand new classes of drugs are also under development.
There are always several drugs "in the pipeline" of development for psoriasis at any given time. Usually these are in some stage of FDA clinical trial testing. Many newer drugs are of the biologic class but "upgrades" of older drugs and brand new classes of drugs are also under development.
ABT-874
ABT-874 is a biologic drug for psoriasis which blocks the cytokines IL-12 and IL-23
ABT-874 is a biologic drug for psoriasis which blocks the cytokines IL-12 and IL-23
Experimental Psoriasis Drugs
Many psoriasis drugs are in the experimental stage, but can found by volunteering for clinical trials.
Many psoriasis drugs are in the experimental stage, but can found by volunteering for clinical trials.
ISA247 - Like Cyclosporine but Safer
ISA247 is a drug like cyclosporine but which appears to be safer, making it a possible better choice for psoriasis when it is released.
ISA247 is a drug like cyclosporine but which appears to be safer, making it a possible better choice for psoriasis when it is released.
Cutting Edge Psoriatic Arthritis Treatments
Treatments for psoriasis can be a guessing game. No one remedy seems to work for everyone afflicted. But for those with psoriatic arthritis, an advanced stage of the auto-immune disease, the game is a balancing act. Several new drugs promise relief from the potentially crippling condition, but not without risks that include infection and cancer.
Treatments for psoriasis can be a guessing game. No one remedy seems to work for everyone afflicted. But for those with psoriatic arthritis, an advanced stage of the auto-immune disease, the game is a balancing act. Several new drugs promise relief from the potentially crippling condition, but not without risks that include infection and cancer.
Humira's Results in the REVEAL Clinical Trial
Abbott's Humira was studied in psoriasis in a trial called REVEAL and the results showed the drug to be both quick and effective
Abbott's Humira was studied in psoriasis in a trial called REVEAL and the results showed the drug to be both quick and effective
Monitoring for Drug Toxicity of Biologics as Recommended by the NPF
Drug monitoring guidelines are usually based upon the package insert approved by the FDA however sometimes other agencies or organizations make their own suggestions for monitoring based upon the current standard of care among practicing physicians
Drug monitoring guidelines are usually based upon the package insert approved by the FDA however sometimes other agencies or organizations make their own suggestions for monitoring based upon the current standard of care among practicing physicians
Psoriasis Treatments That are Fast
While there are many psoriasis treatments, some appear to work much faster than others. For patients for whom time is of the essence, faster treatment may be just the ticket.
While there are many psoriasis treatments, some appear to work much faster than others. For patients for whom time is of the essence, faster treatment may be just the ticket.
Seldom Used Drugs for Psoriasis
Older drugs for psoriasis are used less often now due to the great results seen with newer biologic drugs, however they still have applications for specific patients who are unable or unwilling to take biologics.
Older drugs for psoriasis are used less often now due to the great results seen with newer biologic drugs, however they still have applications for specific patients who are unable or unwilling to take biologics.
Psorizide Forte, a Homeopathic Prescription Drug for Psoriasis
Psorizide Forte is a homeopathic medication for psoriasis available by prescription. Homeopathy differs from allopathic medicine in the understanding of disease processes. Psorizide Forte is useful in some patients with psoriasis who have contra-indications to stronger treatments.
Psorizide Forte is a homeopathic medication for psoriasis available by prescription. Homeopathy differs from allopathic medicine in the understanding of disease processes. Psorizide Forte is useful in some patients with psoriasis who have contra-indications to stronger treatments.
Choosing the Best Biologic for Your Psoriasis
Biologic drugs for psoriasis differ in their beneficial as well as side effects. Choosing the right biologic for the job requires a review of the different biologic drugs to know which is right for you.
Biologic drugs for psoriasis differ in their beneficial as well as side effects. Choosing the right biologic for the job requires a review of the different biologic drugs to know which is right for you.
Excimer Laser for Psoriasis
A new laser called the 308nm excimer laser offers effective treatment for smaller but stubborn areas of psoriasis
A new laser called the 308nm excimer laser offers effective treatment for smaller but stubborn areas of psoriasis
Excimer Laser Treatment of Psoriasis
While ultraviolet B therapy (UVB) has been used for some time to treat psoriasis, newer therapies harness the power of ultraviolet light in the form of the excimer (also known as exciplex) laser, a type of light that can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions. The excimer laser was approved by the FDA in 2000 for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of plaque psoriasis.
While ultraviolet B therapy (UVB) has been used for some time to treat psoriasis, newer therapies harness the power of ultraviolet light in the form of the excimer (also known as exciplex) laser, a type of light that can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions. The excimer laser was approved by the FDA in 2000 for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of plaque psoriasis.
Biologic Drug Comparison Table
Several biologic drugs for psoriasis are now available each with their own individual profiles and features.
Several biologic drugs for psoriasis are now available each with their own individual profiles and features.
UVB and PUVA for Psoriasis
Artificial ultraviolet light with and without concurrent light-sensitizing drugs can be effective in treating psoriasis. For the most part, side effects are limited to the skin, reducing worries regarding long-term internal complications which are sometimes seen with other systemic treatments.
Artificial ultraviolet light with and without concurrent light-sensitizing drugs can be effective in treating psoriasis. For the most part, side effects are limited to the skin, reducing worries regarding long-term internal complications which are sometimes seen with other systemic treatments.
Phototherapy for Psoriasis
Phototherapy isn't usually the first treatment choice for people with psoriasis, which make up about 2% of the American population. Prescription topical creams and ointments are more convenient -- and less expensive. But they may become less effective as plaques grow resistant. Phototherapy can be a suitable next step in many cases.
Phototherapy isn't usually the first treatment choice for people with psoriasis, which make up about 2% of the American population. Prescription topical creams and ointments are more convenient -- and less expensive. But they may become less effective as plaques grow resistant. Phototherapy can be a suitable next step in many cases.
Soriatane (acetretin)
Soriatane (acetretin) is a drug for psoriasis adapted from vitamin A. It is an oral pill form of treatment suitable for treating more severe forms of psoriasis. Women of child-bearing years should not take Soriatane due to the risk of birth defects.
Soriatane (acetretin) is a drug for psoriasis adapted from vitamin A. It is an oral pill form of treatment suitable for treating more severe forms of psoriasis. Women of child-bearing years should not take Soriatane due to the risk of birth defects.
How-to for Self-Injected Biologic Drugs for Psoriasis
Injecting your own medication isn't as scary as it sounds. Usually your doctor or a visiting nurse will help you the first time - then you'll be well able to treat yourself with a biologic at home.
Injecting your own medication isn't as scary as it sounds. Usually your doctor or a visiting nurse will help you the first time - then you'll be well able to treat yourself with a biologic at home.
Amevive (Alafacept)
Amevive (Alafacept) is a biologic drug for psoriasis that works by altering the function of white blood cells in the skin.
Amevive (Alafacept) is a biologic drug for psoriasis that works by altering the function of white blood cells in the skin.
Biologics in Children
Biologic drugs such as Enbrel are soon to be approved for use in psoriasis in children.
Biologic drugs such as Enbrel are soon to be approved for use in psoriasis in children.
Methotrexate
Methotrexate is one of the first systemic psoriasis medications and is still widely used.
Methotrexate is one of the first systemic psoriasis medications and is still widely used.
Enbrel (Etanercept)
Enbrel (Etanercept) is the number one systemic psoriasis drug prescribed by dermatologist. It is also quite effective for psoriatic arthritis as well.
Enbrel (Etanercept) is the number one systemic psoriasis drug prescribed by dermatologist. It is also quite effective for psoriatic arthritis as well.
Raptiva (Efalizumab)
Raptiva (Efalizumab) is a biologic psoriasis treatment which works well in many patients with plaque type Psoriasis. Certain patients may be especially suitable for treatment with this drug including overweight patients, and patients with severe hand, foot and scalp Psoriasis.
Raptiva (Efalizumab) is a biologic psoriasis treatment which works well in many patients with plaque type Psoriasis. Certain patients may be especially suitable for treatment with this drug including overweight patients, and patients with severe hand, foot and scalp Psoriasis.
Humira (Adalimumab)
Adalimumab (Humira) is approved for treating psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis
Adalimumab (Humira) is approved for treating psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis