Oral or Injected Drugs
These are reserved for moderate to severe psoriasis unresponsive to other treatments. They are usually prescribed for a short period because of their potentially serious side effects. They include:
- Retinoids
Also available as topical treatments, retinoid pills [9] are used to reduce skin cell production. Doctors do not prescribe retinoids to or about to be pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. For most people, retinoids cause side effects like soreness and dry skin.
- Biologics
Biologics [10] are only used for severe or very resistant psoriasis. They alter the function of the immune system and improve psoriasis symptoms within weeks. These drugs are potentially dangerous since they may alter the immune system in ways that make you more vulnerable to other diseases.
Some types of biologics include adalimumab, ustekinumab, etanercept, infliximab, and ixekizumab. These drugs are more effective than methotrexate, but they are very expensive.