Plaque Psoriasis Medication
Your dermatologist can help you select the right treatment for your moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. There are a variety of effective medications and treatments available.
Topical treatments
Topical treatments, including topical steroids, are medications applied to the skin. They can be the first treatment recommended for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. They work by slowing down the production of skin cells and reducing inflammation.
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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
- People with history of PUVA treatment should be examined for the presence of a certain type of skin cancer prior to and during treatment of HUMIRA. Tell your doctor if you have a bump or open sore that does not heal.
- Laser: Pulsed dye lasers combined with targeted UVB treatment.
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Systemic treatments
Systemic treatments (affecting the entire body) include the prescription medications methotrexate, cyclosporine, retinoids, and others, such as biologics.
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Biologics like HUMIRA work by blocking a protein, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), in the immune system that plays a major role in the development of plaque psoriasis.
HUMIRA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are ready for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and are under the care of a doctor who will decide if other systemic therapies are less appropriate.