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Medications for Psoriasis

Other names: Erythrodermic Psoriasis; Guttate Psoriasis; Inverse Psoriasis; Palmo-plantar Psoriasis; Pustular Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common skin inflammation (irritation and swelling) characterized by frequent episodes of redness; itching; and thick, dry, silvery scales on the skin. Common medications used to treat psoriasis include Humira and methotrexate.

See also: sub-topics

Drugs used to treat Psoriasis

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
clobetasol 8.8 66 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: clobetasol topical

Brand names:  Clobex, Temovate, Dermovate, Olux, Olux-E, Clobevate, Clodan, Cormax, Cormax Scalp, Embeline, Embeline E, Impoyz, Tovet …show all

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

methotrexate 8.0 86 reviews
Rx X N X

Generic name: methotrexate systemic

Brand names:  Otrexup, Trexall, Rasuvo, RediTrex …show all

Drug class: antimetabolites, antirheumatics, antipsoriatics, other immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Humira 7.0 112 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: adalimumab systemic

Drug class: antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Stelara 8.3 133 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: ustekinumab systemic

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

triamcinolone 8.3 24 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: triamcinolone topical

Brand names:  Kenalog, Triderm, Aristocort A, Aristocort R, Cinolar, Trianex, Tritocin …show all

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

ustekinumab 8.2 135 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: ustekinumab systemic

Brand name:  Stelara

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

adalimumab 7.0 114 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: adalimumab systemic

Brand names:  Humira, Abrilada, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hadlima, Hulio, Hyrimoz, Yusimry …show all

Drug class: antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Cosentyx 7.6 9 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: secukinumab systemic

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Remicade 7.8 5 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: infliximab systemic

Drug class: antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Taltz 7.8 19 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: ixekizumab systemic

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Tremfya 6.5 14 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: guselkumab systemic

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Skyrizi 7.5 7 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: risankizumab systemic

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

etanercept Off-label 8.1 29 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: etanercept systemic

Drug class: antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Off-label: Yes

infliximab 8.2 6 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: infliximab systemic

Brand names:  Remicade, Avsola, Inflectra, Renflexis, Ixifi …show all

Drug class: antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Avsola Rate Add review
Rx B N

Generic name: infliximab systemic

Drug class: TNF alfa inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

guselkumab 6.8 15 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: guselkumab systemic

Brand name:  Tremfya

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Inflectra Rate Add review
Rx B N

Generic name: infliximab systemic

Drug class: TNF alfa inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

ixekizumab 7.9 20 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: ixekizumab systemic

Brand name:  Taltz

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Renflexis Rate Add review
Rx B N

Generic name: infliximab systemic

Drug class: TNF alfa inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

risankizumab 7.5 7 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: risankizumab systemic

Brand name:  Skyrizi

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

secukinumab 7.6 9 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: secukinumab systemic

Brand name:  Cosentyx

Drug class: interleukin inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

fluocinonide 7.6 16 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: fluocinonide topical

Brand names:  Fluocinonide-E, Vanos

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

triamcinolone 9.9 7 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: triamcinolone systemic

Brand names:  Kenalog-40, Kenalog-10, Aristospan, Clinacort …show all

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Elocon 9.5 13 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: mometasone topical

Drug class: topical steroids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

calcipotriene 6.5 34 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: calcipotriene topical

Brand names:  Dovonex, Calcitrene, Kalosar, Sorilux …show all

Drug class: topical antipsoriatics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

Topics under Psoriasis

Alternative treatments for Psoriasis

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Psoriasis. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Psoriasis.

Learn more about Psoriasis

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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