Tuesday, February 08, 2005

Advancements in Treating Psoriasis

A new category of drugs to treat psoriasis is called "biologics." These turn off or block certain processes within the immune system that lead to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Amevive and Raptiva were approved for psoriasis treatment in 2003.

Enbrel is approved for both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Remicade (generic name infliximab) and Humira (generic name adalimumab) are also in development for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.

Your physician may prescribe a biologic if other treatments do not work on your psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.