Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are Biologics?Biologic TreatmentUse and Side EffectsPsoriasis Treatments
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are Biologics?
Biologic Treatment
Use and Side Effects
Psoriasis Treatments
Psoriatic diseaseis an autoimmune condition that includes psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Both conditions are the result of an overactive immune system and primarily affect the joints and skin throughout the body.Biologic drugs, or simply “biologics,” for psoriatic disease are prescribed in cases when the disease has not responded to other treatments. These medications are designed to slow or stop joint damage, inflammation, and progression of psoriatic disease.
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Some biologics work quickly, within the first two weeks, but you may not see their full effects until two to three months later.If you don’t respond to one biologic, your healthcare provider will likely try a different one.
Many people take a biologic with adisease-modifying antirheumatic drug(DMARD), usually methotrexate, one of the most effective and widely used medications for psoriatic disease and other types ofinflammatory arthritis. It is also one of the safest arthritis drugs, although there are misconceptions that it is highly toxic.
Biologic Treatment of Psoriatic Disease
While biologics are usually prescribed with a DMARD, they can also be prescribed alone. When a person with disease starts taking a biologic drug, they will also remain on their current treatment plan, which may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and/or DMARDs.
How Biologics Work
Biologics can also treat psoriasis symptoms and work well to treat the condition. They block TNF proteins and interleukins and bind to proteins that cause inflammation. They also curb T-cells—a form of white blood cells—which facilitate the production ofpsoriasis plaques.
When these processes are short-circuited, inflammation is eased and there is less growth of thick, scaly skin. Research has shown biologics are good at treating psoriasis, especially those that target IL-17- and IL-23 proteins.
Commonly Prescribed Biologics
The current types of biologics available for treating psoriatic disease include those that inhibit cytokine and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) proteins, as well as interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibition, IL-12/23, T cell co-stimulation, CTLA4-Ig, and Janus-kinase (JAK) inhibition.
The most commonly prescribed biologics for psoriatic disease include:
Humira, Enbrel, Remicade, Cimzia, and Simponi target TNF proteins while Cosentyx, Skyrizi, Stelara, Taltz, and Tremfya target specific interleukin proteins. Orencia targets T-cells. Cosentyx and Stelara are prescribed after TNF-inhibitors haven’t helped, or if a person is unable to take TNF-inhibitors due to side effects or other risks.
How Are Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira Different?
Most studies show that relief can be seen within four to six weeks.However, some people may notice an improvement after the first or second injection.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are a current or former smoker, have had a heart attack, other heart problems, stroke, or blood clots as these may further increase your risk.
A common side effect of injectable medications is skin reactions at the injection site. The most significant and concerning side effect is the increased risk for all types of infections includingtuberculosis(TB), a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs.
Your healthcare provider will recommend that you stop the biologic if you develop an active infection and need treatment with an antibiotic.
Additionally, patients with HIV can develop severe psoriasis. Therefore, it is important to screen for HIV before starting biologic therapy in patients with psoriasis.
If you take a biologic through an IV, you may experience infusion reactions, including flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, nausea, or headache.
Additional side effects of biologics include:
Rare, but possible side effects, include:
Call your healthcare provider right away if you experience signs of an infection, including fever, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin, headache, and nausea.
Seek out immediate medical attention for extremely low blood pressure, chest pain, shortness of breath or other breathing problems, or uncontrolled bleeding.
Biologic drugs are not generally recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as these drugs have not been studied adequately in these groups.If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to stop taking your biologic therapy.
Side Effects of Injected Biologic Drugs
Usage With Psoriasis Treatments
In addition to DMARDs like methotrexate, current biologics can be used in conjunction with thesepsoriasistherapies:
Topical treatments,whichare applied directly to the skin and are a first-line treatment for psoriasis. They slow down or normalize excessive skin cell growth and reduce skin inflammation.
Phototherapy, also called light therapy, which exposes skin to ultraviolent light under medical supervision. Exposure needs to be consistent to penetrate skin and slow skin cell growth. Phototherapy may, however, increased the risk of skin cancer if a person is taking TNF-inhibitors or vice versa. This is because photosensitivity is a side of effect of these medications.
How Psoriasis Is Treated
A Word From Verywell
Biologics are recommended for people living with moderate-to-severe psoriatic disease. Some individuals, however, are not ideal candidates for these treatments.
For example, people who have compromised immune systems may not be able to take biologics or will need to be very closely monitored. This is because biologics suppress the immune system and having a compromised immune system and taking these medications can increase the risk of potentially fatal infections.
The costs of these drugs may also be a barrier for some people. Your healthcare provider’s office should have information about patient assistance programs if the cost is a problem.
Remember to follow your treatment plan as your healthcare provider prescribes and call your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any serious side effects of your biologic treatment. It is also important to be aware of side effects that require immediate medical attention.
Psoriatic Disease Drugs in the Pipeline
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Papp KA, Lebwohl MG.Onset of Action of Biologics in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis.J Drugs Dermatol.2017;17(3):247-250.Arnold MH, Bleasel J, Haq I.Nocebo effects in practice: methotrexate myths and misconceptions.Med J Aust. 2016;205(10):440-442. doi:10.5694/mja16.00965Beyer V, Wolverton SE.Recent trends in systemic psoriasis treatment costs.Arch Dermatol.2010;146(1):46-54. doi:10.1001/archdermatol.2009.319Rønholt K, Iversen L.Old and New Biological Therapies for Psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.2017;18(11):2297. doi:10.3390/ijms18112297Oelke KR, Chambenoit O, Majjhoo AQ, Gray S, Higgins K, Hur P.Persistence and adherence of biologics in US patients with psoriatic arthritis: analyses from a claims database.J Comp Eff Res.2019;8(8):607-621. doi:10.2217/cer-2019-0023D’Angelo S, Tramontano G, Gilio M, Leccese P, Olivieri I.Review of the treatment of psoriatic arthritis with biological agents: choice of drug for initial therapy and switch therapy for non-responders.Open Access Rheumatol. 2017;9:21-28. doi:10.2147/oarrr.s56073U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA requires warnings about increased risk of serious heart-related events, cancer, blood clots, and death for JAK inhibitors that treat certain chronic inflammatory conditions.Fildan A, Toma C, Tofolean D, Arghir O, Dantes E.TB Risk in Patients With Biological Therapy for Psoriasis.Chest. 2016;150(4):201A. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2016.08.210Arthritis Foundation.Biologics.Porter ML, Lockwood SJ, Kimball AB.Update on biologic safety for patients with psoriasis during pregnancy.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2017;3(1):21-25. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2016.12.003Moran GW, Lim AW, Bailey JL, et al.Review article: dermatological complications of immunosuppressive and anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2013;38(9):1002-24. doi:10.1111/apt.12491Kaushik SB, Lebwohl MG.Psoriasis: Which therapy for which patient.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(1):43-53. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.056Additional ReadingBiologics: Benefits and Risks. Arthritis Foundation.Moran GW, Lim AW, Bailey JL, et al. Review article: dermatological complications of immunosuppressive and anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2013 Nov; 38(9):1002-24. doi:10.1111/apt.12491Oelke KR, Chambenoit O, Majjhoo AQ, et al. Persistence and adherence of biologics in US patients with psoriatic arthritis: analyses from a claims database.J Comp Eff Res.2019 Mar 26. doi:10.2217/cer-2019-0023Ronholt K and Iverson L. Old and New Biological Therapies for Psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.2017 Nov; 18(11): 2297. doi:10.3390/ijms18112297
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Papp KA, Lebwohl MG.Onset of Action of Biologics in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis.J Drugs Dermatol.2017;17(3):247-250.Arnold MH, Bleasel J, Haq I.Nocebo effects in practice: methotrexate myths and misconceptions.Med J Aust. 2016;205(10):440-442. doi:10.5694/mja16.00965Beyer V, Wolverton SE.Recent trends in systemic psoriasis treatment costs.Arch Dermatol.2010;146(1):46-54. doi:10.1001/archdermatol.2009.319Rønholt K, Iversen L.Old and New Biological Therapies for Psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.2017;18(11):2297. doi:10.3390/ijms18112297Oelke KR, Chambenoit O, Majjhoo AQ, Gray S, Higgins K, Hur P.Persistence and adherence of biologics in US patients with psoriatic arthritis: analyses from a claims database.J Comp Eff Res.2019;8(8):607-621. doi:10.2217/cer-2019-0023D’Angelo S, Tramontano G, Gilio M, Leccese P, Olivieri I.Review of the treatment of psoriatic arthritis with biological agents: choice of drug for initial therapy and switch therapy for non-responders.Open Access Rheumatol. 2017;9:21-28. doi:10.2147/oarrr.s56073U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA requires warnings about increased risk of serious heart-related events, cancer, blood clots, and death for JAK inhibitors that treat certain chronic inflammatory conditions.Fildan A, Toma C, Tofolean D, Arghir O, Dantes E.TB Risk in Patients With Biological Therapy for Psoriasis.Chest. 2016;150(4):201A. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2016.08.210Arthritis Foundation.Biologics.Porter ML, Lockwood SJ, Kimball AB.Update on biologic safety for patients with psoriasis during pregnancy.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2017;3(1):21-25. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2016.12.003Moran GW, Lim AW, Bailey JL, et al.Review article: dermatological complications of immunosuppressive and anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2013;38(9):1002-24. doi:10.1111/apt.12491Kaushik SB, Lebwohl MG.Psoriasis: Which therapy for which patient.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(1):43-53. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.056Additional ReadingBiologics: Benefits and Risks. Arthritis Foundation.Moran GW, Lim AW, Bailey JL, et al. Review article: dermatological complications of immunosuppressive and anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2013 Nov; 38(9):1002-24. doi:10.1111/apt.12491Oelke KR, Chambenoit O, Majjhoo AQ, et al. Persistence and adherence of biologics in US patients with psoriatic arthritis: analyses from a claims database.J Comp Eff Res.2019 Mar 26. doi:10.2217/cer-2019-0023Ronholt K and Iverson L. Old and New Biological Therapies for Psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.2017 Nov; 18(11): 2297. doi:10.3390/ijms18112297
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Papp KA, Lebwohl MG.Onset of Action of Biologics in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis.J Drugs Dermatol.2017;17(3):247-250.Arnold MH, Bleasel J, Haq I.Nocebo effects in practice: methotrexate myths and misconceptions.Med J Aust. 2016;205(10):440-442. doi:10.5694/mja16.00965Beyer V, Wolverton SE.Recent trends in systemic psoriasis treatment costs.Arch Dermatol.2010;146(1):46-54. doi:10.1001/archdermatol.2009.319Rønholt K, Iversen L.Old and New Biological Therapies for Psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.2017;18(11):2297. doi:10.3390/ijms18112297Oelke KR, Chambenoit O, Majjhoo AQ, Gray S, Higgins K, Hur P.Persistence and adherence of biologics in US patients with psoriatic arthritis: analyses from a claims database.J Comp Eff Res.2019;8(8):607-621. doi:10.2217/cer-2019-0023D’Angelo S, Tramontano G, Gilio M, Leccese P, Olivieri I.Review of the treatment of psoriatic arthritis with biological agents: choice of drug for initial therapy and switch therapy for non-responders.Open Access Rheumatol. 2017;9:21-28. doi:10.2147/oarrr.s56073U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA requires warnings about increased risk of serious heart-related events, cancer, blood clots, and death for JAK inhibitors that treat certain chronic inflammatory conditions.Fildan A, Toma C, Tofolean D, Arghir O, Dantes E.TB Risk in Patients With Biological Therapy for Psoriasis.Chest. 2016;150(4):201A. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2016.08.210Arthritis Foundation.Biologics.Porter ML, Lockwood SJ, Kimball AB.Update on biologic safety for patients with psoriasis during pregnancy.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2017;3(1):21-25. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2016.12.003Moran GW, Lim AW, Bailey JL, et al.Review article: dermatological complications of immunosuppressive and anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2013;38(9):1002-24. doi:10.1111/apt.12491Kaushik SB, Lebwohl MG.Psoriasis: Which therapy for which patient.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(1):43-53. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.056
Papp KA, Lebwohl MG.Onset of Action of Biologics in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis.J Drugs Dermatol.2017;17(3):247-250.
Arnold MH, Bleasel J, Haq I.Nocebo effects in practice: methotrexate myths and misconceptions.Med J Aust. 2016;205(10):440-442. doi:10.5694/mja16.00965
Beyer V, Wolverton SE.Recent trends in systemic psoriasis treatment costs.Arch Dermatol.2010;146(1):46-54. doi:10.1001/archdermatol.2009.319
Rønholt K, Iversen L.Old and New Biological Therapies for Psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.2017;18(11):2297. doi:10.3390/ijms18112297
Oelke KR, Chambenoit O, Majjhoo AQ, Gray S, Higgins K, Hur P.Persistence and adherence of biologics in US patients with psoriatic arthritis: analyses from a claims database.J Comp Eff Res.2019;8(8):607-621. doi:10.2217/cer-2019-0023
D’Angelo S, Tramontano G, Gilio M, Leccese P, Olivieri I.Review of the treatment of psoriatic arthritis with biological agents: choice of drug for initial therapy and switch therapy for non-responders.Open Access Rheumatol. 2017;9:21-28. doi:10.2147/oarrr.s56073
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA requires warnings about increased risk of serious heart-related events, cancer, blood clots, and death for JAK inhibitors that treat certain chronic inflammatory conditions.
Fildan A, Toma C, Tofolean D, Arghir O, Dantes E.TB Risk in Patients With Biological Therapy for Psoriasis.Chest. 2016;150(4):201A. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2016.08.210
Arthritis Foundation.Biologics.
Porter ML, Lockwood SJ, Kimball AB.Update on biologic safety for patients with psoriasis during pregnancy.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2017;3(1):21-25. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2016.12.003
Moran GW, Lim AW, Bailey JL, et al.Review article: dermatological complications of immunosuppressive and anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2013;38(9):1002-24. doi:10.1111/apt.12491
Kaushik SB, Lebwohl MG.Psoriasis: Which therapy for which patient.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(1):43-53. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.056
Biologics: Benefits and Risks. Arthritis Foundation.Moran GW, Lim AW, Bailey JL, et al. Review article: dermatological complications of immunosuppressive and anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2013 Nov; 38(9):1002-24. doi:10.1111/apt.12491Oelke KR, Chambenoit O, Majjhoo AQ, et al. Persistence and adherence of biologics in US patients with psoriatic arthritis: analyses from a claims database.J Comp Eff Res.2019 Mar 26. doi:10.2217/cer-2019-0023Ronholt K and Iverson L. Old and New Biological Therapies for Psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.2017 Nov; 18(11): 2297. doi:10.3390/ijms18112297
Biologics: Benefits and Risks. Arthritis Foundation.
Moran GW, Lim AW, Bailey JL, et al. Review article: dermatological complications of immunosuppressive and anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2013 Nov; 38(9):1002-24. doi:10.1111/apt.12491
Oelke KR, Chambenoit O, Majjhoo AQ, et al. Persistence and adherence of biologics in US patients with psoriatic arthritis: analyses from a claims database.J Comp Eff Res.2019 Mar 26. doi:10.2217/cer-2019-0023
Ronholt K and Iverson L. Old and New Biological Therapies for Psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci.2017 Nov; 18(11): 2297. doi:10.3390/ijms18112297
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