Systemic Therapy
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Systemic medications work from within the body and are usually reserved for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis or for those who are not responsive to, or eligible 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
- Cyclosporine : 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 growth 11
- Biologics : newest treatment option; biologics work by blocking specific cell actions and proteins in the immune system that cause the body to produce excess skin
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