Systemic Therapy¹²

Systemic medications work from within the body and are usually reserved for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis disease or patients who are not responsive to, or ineligible for, conventional topical medications or UV light treatments. Systemic medications are administered orally or by injection.

• Acitretin: a retinoid (vitamin A analog) that is taken orally; works by slowing down the rapid production of skin cells and allows shedding to produce normal skin
• Ciclosporin: capsule; it suppresses the immune system in an effort to slow skin cell growth
• Methotrexate: binds to and inhibits an enzyme involved in the rapid growth of cells; available as a pill or injection, in people with psoriasis, methotrexate slows rate of skin cell growth¹³
• Biologics: newest treatment option; biologics work by blocking specific cells and proteins in the immune system that cause the body to produce excess skin cells

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