Rx for Uncomplicated Psoriasis

Drugs for Psoriasis. The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics. 57(1470):81. June 8, 2015

This is a review of topical and systemic treatments for uncomplicated psoriasis.

Mild to moderate psoriasis is generally treated with topical corticosteroids. Vitamin D analogs and tazarotene can be added. The adverse effect profiles of methotrexate and cyclosporine are compared. Phototherapy and systemic therapy, including biologics, are recommended for moderate to severe disease.

Once again, biologics are the most expensive and appear to be most effective, and offer Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 75 responses for 70% to 80% of patients after 12 weeks.

(The more ambitious goals of PASI 90 and complete clearance, floated recently in the Lancet, are not discussed here.)