Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOral MedicationTopical MedicationBiologicsTreatment LengthNonprescription TreatmentsFinding the Right Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Oral Medication
Topical Medication
Biologics
Treatment Length
Nonprescription Treatments
Finding the Right Treatment
Several viabletreatment optionsare available forpsoriasis, including topical creams, oral medications, and phototherapy. Prescription medication is often necessary to help you reach remission. Medications are prescribed depending on the type of psoriasis you have.
This article discusses the various types of psoriasis medications, how they work, and how to decide which is best for you.
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Oral Psoriasis Medication
Oral medications are often used in people with moderate or severe psoriasis,psoriatic arthritis, and those who do not respond to topical treatments.
How They Work
Types
There are several different types of oral psoriasis medications, each with a different mechanism of action, as follows:
Side Effects
Different drugs have different side effects. When taken orally, side effects can include:
Who Should Use Them?
Oral medications are much stronger than other types, such as creams or ointments. Oral medication is typically reserved for people with increasingly severe psoriasis or those that have tried other prescription topicals without any relief from symptoms.
Who Should Avoid Oral Psoriasis Medications?
Does Psoriasis Go Away?
Prescription Topical Treatments for Psoriasis
Topical creams, ointments, and emollients applied directly to the skin are often the first-line therapy for people with psoriasis. If the drugs given as topicals can control the disease, then no further treatment is usually sought.
There are several types of drugs used topically for psoriasis, including:
While topicals are highly effective, they also come with the risk of side effects. Side effects can include:
Topicals are the first-line therapy, so often, many people who develop psoriasis will begin their therapy with this medication. Healthcare providers usually start with the mildest treatments and work their way up to stronger ones if they are not helping.
What Is the Most-Used Topical for Psoriasis?While there are several different topical options, the first choice is often corticosteroids because they are generally safe and effective. However, they should be avoided if:You have a skin infection.You have other skin conditions, such asrosaceaor acne.You have open sores (ulcers) in the area where the cream is to be applied.
What Is the Most-Used Topical for Psoriasis?
While there are several different topical options, the first choice is often corticosteroids because they are generally safe and effective. However, they should be avoided if:You have a skin infection.You have other skin conditions, such asrosaceaor acne.You have open sores (ulcers) in the area where the cream is to be applied.
While there are several different topical options, the first choice is often corticosteroids because they are generally safe and effective. However, they should be avoided if:
How Psoriasis Is Treated
Biologics and Biosimilars
Biologics are the most potent medication available to treat psoriasis and other inflammatory conditions. They are administered through an injection or intravenously (through an IV).
Brands of biologics that can be used to treat psoriasis include:
Can Children with Psoriasis Use Biologics?Some biologics also treat children with psoriasis. They include:Etanercept for those 4 and olderUstekinumab for those 6 and olderSecukinumab for those 6 and older
Can Children with Psoriasis Use Biologics?
Some biologics also treat children with psoriasis. They include:Etanercept for those 4 and olderUstekinumab for those 6 and olderSecukinumab for those 6 and older
Some biologics also treat children with psoriasis. They include:
While biologics are generally considered safe, there are some side effects to be aware of, including:
Biologics are often used for people with moderate to severe cases of psoriasis or for those with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
They can also be used in people who haven’t found relief from their symptoms after using topical and oral medications.
Biologics and Risk of Severe InfectionBecause biologics hinder the action of the immune system, people taking them are at an increased risk of developing severe infections. Some factors that can increase this risk include:Older ageDiabetesSmoking or chewing tobacco productsHistory of infections
Biologics and Risk of Severe Infection
Because biologics hinder the action of the immune system, people taking them are at an increased risk of developing severe infections. Some factors that can increase this risk include:Older ageDiabetesSmoking or chewing tobacco productsHistory of infections
Because biologics hinder the action of the immune system, people taking them are at an increased risk of developing severe infections. Some factors that can increase this risk include:
How Long Does Treatment Take?
The length of treatment depends on the medication and the therapy results. However, since there is no cure for psoriasis, many people will have to treat their condition on an ongoing basis.
The length of time each treatment typically lasts before a person can expect results is:
Goals of Psoriasis TreatmentThe main goal of psoriasis treatment is to manage the disease. Medical providers aim to help people with the disorder achieve skin clear of plaques or rash while allowing them to return to their daily activities that were compromised during flare-ups. They want to help people with psoriasis live without having to cope with the impact that psoriasis can have on their work, social life, and other obligations.
Goals of Psoriasis Treatment
The main goal of psoriasis treatment is to manage the disease. Medical providers aim to help people with the disorder achieve skin clear of plaques or rash while allowing them to return to their daily activities that were compromised during flare-ups. They want to help people with psoriasis live without having to cope with the impact that psoriasis can have on their work, social life, and other obligations.
Treating Psoriasis Without Prescription Medication
While many people with psoriasis need prescription medication, mild cases may benefit from other forms of therapy.
Nonprescription Treatment
Several OTC options exist for people with mild psoriasis. They include:
Light Therapy
In some cases, light therapy will be combined with an agent known aspsoralen. Psoralen makes the skin more sensitive to light, thus, allowing the ultraviolet (UV) light to penetrate the skin better.
Self-Care Tips
People with psoriasis should develop aself-care routineto help manage their condition regardless of the type of medication they are on or the therapy they’re receiving. Some tips for managing psoriasis include:
Possible Psoriasis Triggers
Is Psoriasis Hereditary?
How to Find the Right Treatment
Finding the proper psoriasis treatment can be a case of trial and error. That is because not everyone will respond to the medications similarly. To find the right treatment for you, meet with your healthcare provider and discuss your options.
They will be aware of your case, health history, and the severity of your condition. Since topical medications are often the start of treatment, healthcare providers will likely prescribe one of those first to see if you see results in a specific time frame. If not, they will move on to more potent medications.
Summary
Psoriasis is an incurable skin disorder that must be managed for life. Due to the differences in severity and location of psoriasis, various types of drugs are available to you if you develop the condition.
Topical, oral, and biologic medications for psoriasis all have their own side effects and upsides. Starting with topical medications is typically the beginning of therapy, but there is hope if they don’t work. Your healthcare provider will choose the right type of medication, depending on your case.
26 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.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Using medication: Oral medications.National Psoriasis Foundation.Oral treatments.Pluzanski, A. Piorek, A.Side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors - management guidelines.Oncology in Clinical Practice.2016;12(4):113-188. doi:10.5603/OCP.2016.0004Song YK, Song J, Kim K, Kwon JW.Potential adverse events reported with the Janus Kinase inhibitors approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using spontaneous reports and online patient reviews.Front Pharmacol.2022 Jan 11;12:792877. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.792877Wongrakpanich S, Wongrakpanich A, Melhado K, Rangaswami J.A comprehensive review of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in the elderly.Aging Dis.2018 Feb 1;9(1):143-150. doi:10.14336/AD.2017.0306National Psoriasis Foundation.Methotrexate.National Psoriasis Foundation.Cyclosporine.National Psoriasis Foundation.Soriatane (acitretin).Informed Health.Psoriasis: Oral medications and injections.Informed Health.Topical treatments for psoriasis.UK National health Service.About coal tar.DermNet.Cutaneous adverse reaction to calcineurin inhibitors.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: Synthetic vitamin D.National Psoriasis Foundation.Steroids.UK National Health Service.Topical corticosteroids.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: Biologics.National Psoriasis Foundation.Biologics.UptoDate.Treatment of Psoriasis in adults.Strober BE, van der Walt JM, Armstrong AW, Bourcier M, Carvalho AVE, Chouela E, Cohen AD, de la Cruz C, Ellis CN, Finlay AY, Gottlieb AB, Gudjonsson JE, Iversen L, Kleyn CE, Leonardi CL, Lynde CW, Ryan C, Theng CT, Valenzuela F, Vender R, Wu JJ, Young HS, Kimball AB.Clinical goals and barriers to effective psoriasis care.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2019 Mar;9(1):5-18. doi:10.1007/s13555-018-0279-5American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?Ahmed Asim S, Ahmed S, Us-Sehar N.Psoralen-ultraviolet A treatment with Psoralen-ultraviolet B therapy in the treatment of psoriasis.Pak J Med Sci.2013 May;29(3):758-61. doi:10.12669/pjms.293.2622American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Tips for managing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.Ji YZ, Liu SR.Koebner phenomenon leading to the formation of new psoriatic lesions: Evidences and mechanisms.Biosci Rep. 2019;39(12):BSR20193266. doi:10.1042/BSR20193266Xhaja A, Shkodrani E, Frangaj S, Kuneshka L, Vasili E.An epidemiological study on trigger factors and quality of life in psoriatic patients.Mater Sociomed. 2014;26(3):168-171. doi: 10.5455/msm.2014.26.168-171Balak DM, Hajdarbegovic E.Drug-induced psoriasis: clinical perspectives.Psoriasis. 2017;7:87-94. doi:10.2147/PTT.S126727
26 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.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Using medication: Oral medications.National Psoriasis Foundation.Oral treatments.Pluzanski, A. Piorek, A.Side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors - management guidelines.Oncology in Clinical Practice.2016;12(4):113-188. doi:10.5603/OCP.2016.0004Song YK, Song J, Kim K, Kwon JW.Potential adverse events reported with the Janus Kinase inhibitors approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using spontaneous reports and online patient reviews.Front Pharmacol.2022 Jan 11;12:792877. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.792877Wongrakpanich S, Wongrakpanich A, Melhado K, Rangaswami J.A comprehensive review of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in the elderly.Aging Dis.2018 Feb 1;9(1):143-150. doi:10.14336/AD.2017.0306National Psoriasis Foundation.Methotrexate.National Psoriasis Foundation.Cyclosporine.National Psoriasis Foundation.Soriatane (acitretin).Informed Health.Psoriasis: Oral medications and injections.Informed Health.Topical treatments for psoriasis.UK National health Service.About coal tar.DermNet.Cutaneous adverse reaction to calcineurin inhibitors.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: Synthetic vitamin D.National Psoriasis Foundation.Steroids.UK National Health Service.Topical corticosteroids.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: Biologics.National Psoriasis Foundation.Biologics.UptoDate.Treatment of Psoriasis in adults.Strober BE, van der Walt JM, Armstrong AW, Bourcier M, Carvalho AVE, Chouela E, Cohen AD, de la Cruz C, Ellis CN, Finlay AY, Gottlieb AB, Gudjonsson JE, Iversen L, Kleyn CE, Leonardi CL, Lynde CW, Ryan C, Theng CT, Valenzuela F, Vender R, Wu JJ, Young HS, Kimball AB.Clinical goals and barriers to effective psoriasis care.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2019 Mar;9(1):5-18. doi:10.1007/s13555-018-0279-5American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?Ahmed Asim S, Ahmed S, Us-Sehar N.Psoralen-ultraviolet A treatment with Psoralen-ultraviolet B therapy in the treatment of psoriasis.Pak J Med Sci.2013 May;29(3):758-61. doi:10.12669/pjms.293.2622American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Tips for managing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.Ji YZ, Liu SR.Koebner phenomenon leading to the formation of new psoriatic lesions: Evidences and mechanisms.Biosci Rep. 2019;39(12):BSR20193266. doi:10.1042/BSR20193266Xhaja A, Shkodrani E, Frangaj S, Kuneshka L, Vasili E.An epidemiological study on trigger factors and quality of life in psoriatic patients.Mater Sociomed. 2014;26(3):168-171. doi: 10.5455/msm.2014.26.168-171Balak DM, Hajdarbegovic E.Drug-induced psoriasis: clinical perspectives.Psoriasis. 2017;7:87-94. doi:10.2147/PTT.S126727
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.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Using medication: Oral medications.National Psoriasis Foundation.Oral treatments.Pluzanski, A. Piorek, A.Side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors - management guidelines.Oncology in Clinical Practice.2016;12(4):113-188. doi:10.5603/OCP.2016.0004Song YK, Song J, Kim K, Kwon JW.Potential adverse events reported with the Janus Kinase inhibitors approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using spontaneous reports and online patient reviews.Front Pharmacol.2022 Jan 11;12:792877. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.792877Wongrakpanich S, Wongrakpanich A, Melhado K, Rangaswami J.A comprehensive review of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in the elderly.Aging Dis.2018 Feb 1;9(1):143-150. doi:10.14336/AD.2017.0306National Psoriasis Foundation.Methotrexate.National Psoriasis Foundation.Cyclosporine.National Psoriasis Foundation.Soriatane (acitretin).Informed Health.Psoriasis: Oral medications and injections.Informed Health.Topical treatments for psoriasis.UK National health Service.About coal tar.DermNet.Cutaneous adverse reaction to calcineurin inhibitors.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: Synthetic vitamin D.National Psoriasis Foundation.Steroids.UK National Health Service.Topical corticosteroids.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: Biologics.National Psoriasis Foundation.Biologics.UptoDate.Treatment of Psoriasis in adults.Strober BE, van der Walt JM, Armstrong AW, Bourcier M, Carvalho AVE, Chouela E, Cohen AD, de la Cruz C, Ellis CN, Finlay AY, Gottlieb AB, Gudjonsson JE, Iversen L, Kleyn CE, Leonardi CL, Lynde CW, Ryan C, Theng CT, Valenzuela F, Vender R, Wu JJ, Young HS, Kimball AB.Clinical goals and barriers to effective psoriasis care.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2019 Mar;9(1):5-18. doi:10.1007/s13555-018-0279-5American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?Ahmed Asim S, Ahmed S, Us-Sehar N.Psoralen-ultraviolet A treatment with Psoralen-ultraviolet B therapy in the treatment of psoriasis.Pak J Med Sci.2013 May;29(3):758-61. doi:10.12669/pjms.293.2622American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Tips for managing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.Ji YZ, Liu SR.Koebner phenomenon leading to the formation of new psoriatic lesions: Evidences and mechanisms.Biosci Rep. 2019;39(12):BSR20193266. doi:10.1042/BSR20193266Xhaja A, Shkodrani E, Frangaj S, Kuneshka L, Vasili E.An epidemiological study on trigger factors and quality of life in psoriatic patients.Mater Sociomed. 2014;26(3):168-171. doi: 10.5455/msm.2014.26.168-171Balak DM, Hajdarbegovic E.Drug-induced psoriasis: clinical perspectives.Psoriasis. 2017;7:87-94. doi:10.2147/PTT.S126727
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Using medication: Oral medications.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Oral treatments.
Pluzanski, A. Piorek, A.Side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors - management guidelines.Oncology in Clinical Practice.2016;12(4):113-188. doi:10.5603/OCP.2016.0004
Song YK, Song J, Kim K, Kwon JW.Potential adverse events reported with the Janus Kinase inhibitors approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using spontaneous reports and online patient reviews.Front Pharmacol.2022 Jan 11;12:792877. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.792877
Wongrakpanich S, Wongrakpanich A, Melhado K, Rangaswami J.A comprehensive review of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in the elderly.Aging Dis.2018 Feb 1;9(1):143-150. doi:10.14336/AD.2017.0306
National Psoriasis Foundation.Methotrexate.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Cyclosporine.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Soriatane (acitretin).
Informed Health.Psoriasis: Oral medications and injections.
Informed Health.Topical treatments for psoriasis.
UK National health Service.About coal tar.
DermNet.Cutaneous adverse reaction to calcineurin inhibitors.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: Synthetic vitamin D.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Steroids.
UK National Health Service.Topical corticosteroids.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: Biologics.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Biologics.
UptoDate.Treatment of Psoriasis in adults.
Strober BE, van der Walt JM, Armstrong AW, Bourcier M, Carvalho AVE, Chouela E, Cohen AD, de la Cruz C, Ellis CN, Finlay AY, Gottlieb AB, Gudjonsson JE, Iversen L, Kleyn CE, Leonardi CL, Lynde CW, Ryan C, Theng CT, Valenzuela F, Vender R, Wu JJ, Young HS, Kimball AB.Clinical goals and barriers to effective psoriasis care.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2019 Mar;9(1):5-18. doi:10.1007/s13555-018-0279-5
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?
Ahmed Asim S, Ahmed S, Us-Sehar N.Psoralen-ultraviolet A treatment with Psoralen-ultraviolet B therapy in the treatment of psoriasis.Pak J Med Sci.2013 May;29(3):758-61. doi:10.12669/pjms.293.2622
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Tips for managing.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.
Ji YZ, Liu SR.Koebner phenomenon leading to the formation of new psoriatic lesions: Evidences and mechanisms.Biosci Rep. 2019;39(12):BSR20193266. doi:10.1042/BSR20193266
Xhaja A, Shkodrani E, Frangaj S, Kuneshka L, Vasili E.An epidemiological study on trigger factors and quality of life in psoriatic patients.Mater Sociomed. 2014;26(3):168-171. doi: 10.5455/msm.2014.26.168-171
Balak DM, Hajdarbegovic E.Drug-induced psoriasis: clinical perspectives.Psoriasis. 2017;7:87-94. doi:10.2147/PTT.S126727
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