Prescription systemic treatments are usually used only for the more severe forms of psoriasis.

Oral systemic treatments

A number of systemic medications are available by prescription. Systemic treatments affect your entire body. For this reason they are usually used only for the more severe forms of psoriasis. When considering a systemic therapy, your dermatologist should take into consideration the severity of your disease and will weigh the risk of side effects with the benefits of using this type of therapy.

Methotrexate

Methotrexate has been used for the treatment of severe psoriasis since 1971. A systemic drug, it is commonly taken orally, and works by suppressing the immune system to slow the rapid growth of skin cells and reduce inflammation.

Oral retinoids

A man-made form of vitamin A, oral retinoids were approved in the United States in the 1980s. Exactly how retinoids work to control psoriasis is unclear. Medical studies have shown that retinoids may regulate how quickly skin cells grow, mature and are shed from the surface of the skin.

At present, a drug called Soriatane^® (acitretin) is the most commonly used retinoid to treat psoriasis.

Dermatologists may rotate Soriatane with other systemic medications, including methotrexate and cyclosporine or use it in combination with other therapies such as UVB phototherapy.

Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine is taken orally and works to slow skin growth by blocking the activation of certain cells in the immune system. First used in the 1970's to prevent organ rejection, it was later approved in 1997 for the treatment of adults with severe psoriasis. Dermatologists may rotate cyclosporine with other systemic medications since use longer than 1 year is not recommended.

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Other important information you should know

All medicines have potential side effects and should be use cautiously and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Serious side effects of systemics include liver damage, birth defects, and decreased kidney function.

Make sure your doctor is aware of any other medications you may be taking.

Soriatane^® (acitretin) is a registered trademark of Connetics Corporation