Psoriasis Treatment Options
Only you and your dermatologist can pick the psoriasis treatment that is best for
you. There are a variety of effective treatments available, including the following.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments, including topical steroids, are medications applied to the skin.
They usually are the first treatment recommended for psoriasis. They work by slowing
down the production of skin cells and reducing inflammation.
Topical steroids can be very effective in helping control mild to moderate psoriasis,
but they usually aren’t recommended as the sole treatment for severe psoriasis.
Phototherapy
With phototherapy, the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light under medical guidance.
Consistent phototherapy sessions can help slow down the production of skin cells
and improve skin symptoms. There are three main types of phototherapy treatment:
- UVB: Exposure to artificial UVB (ultraviolet light B)
- PUVA: Treatment combining a light-sensitizing medication called psoralen with UVA
(ultraviolet light A) exposure
- Laser: Pulsed dye lasers combined with targeted UVB treatment
Systemic Treatments
Systemic medications (affecting the entire body) can help treat moderate to severe
psoriasis in people who have not responded to, or cannot use, other treatments.
Systemic treatments include the prescription medications methotrexate, cyclosporine,
acitretin, and others.
Biologic Treatments, Like HUMIRA
Some biologic treatments, called Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blockers, target a
protein in the body called TNF. They are used to treat moderate and/or severe plaque
psoriasis.
In people with plaque psoriasis, too much TNF is produced, causing inflammation
and skin lesions. Some biologics help block TNF, decreasing inflammation and improving
skin symptoms.
While HUMIRA can block the bad effects of TNF in the affected areas, it can also
lower the ability of the immune system to fight infections.
HUMIRA
HUMIRA is used to treat moderate to severe chronic (lasting a long time) plaque
psoriasis in adults who are under the ongoing care of a physician, have the condition
in many areas of their body, and who may benefit from taking injections or pills
(systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with
pills). When considering HUMIRA, your physician will determine if other systemic
therapies are medically less appropriate.
HUMIRA is taken by injection.
In one clinical trial for plaque psoriasis patients, 7 out of 10 adults taking HUMIRA
saw 75% skin clearance and 6 out of 10 patients had clear or almost clear skin at
16 weeks. Individual results may vary.
Serious infections have happened in patients taking HUMIRA. These infections include
tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have
spread throughout the body. Some of these serious infections have been fatal.
Patients treated with HUMIRA also may be at risk for other serious side effects
including certain types of cancers, allergic reactions, hepatitis B virus reactivation,
nervous system problems, blood problems, heart failure, and certain immune reactions,
including a lupus-like syndrome.
Please click here for additional Important Safety Information you should know about HUMIRA and discuss it with your doctor.
HUMIRA is not right for everyone. Ask your doctor if HUMIRA may be right for you.