In this Article

• What is psoriasis?
• What causes psoriasis?
• What does psoriasis look like? What are the symptoms?
• Can psoriasis affect my joints?
• Can psoriasis affect only my nails?
• How many people have psoriasis?
• Is psoriasis curable?
• Is psoriasis contagious?
• Can I pass psoriasis to my children?
• What kind of doctor treats psoriasis?
• How is psoriasis treated?
• What creams or lotions are available?
• What oral medications are available?
• What injections or infusions are available?
• What about light therapy?
• Where can I get more information on psoriasis?
• Is there a national psoriasis support group?
• What is my long-term prognosis with psoriasis?
• Psoriasis At A Glance
• Pictures of Skin Problems - Slideshow
• Patient Discussions: Psoriasis - Effective Treatments
• Psoriasis Glossary
• Psoriasis Index

What oral medications are available?

Oral medications include acitretin, cyclosporine, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and others. Oral prednisone (corticosteroid) is generally not used in psoriasis and may cause a disease flare if administered to many patients.

• Acitretin (Soriatane) is an oral drug used for certain types of psoriasis. It is not effective in all types of the disease. It may be used in males and females who are not pregnant and not planning to become pregnant for at least three years. The major side effects include dryness of skin and eyes and temporarily elevated levels of triglycerides and cholesterol (fatty substance) in the blood. Blood tests are generally required before starting this therapy and periodically to monitor triglyceride levels. Patients should not become pregnant while on this drug and usually for at least three years after stopping this medication.



• Cyclosporine is a potent immunosuppressive drug used for other medical uses, including organ-transplant patients. It may be used for severe, difficult-to-treat cases of widespread psoriasis. Improvement and results may be very rapid in onset. It may be hard to get someone off of cyclosporine without flaring their psoriasis. Because of the potential cumulative toxicity, cyclosporine should not be used for more than one to two years for most psoriasis patients. Major possible side effects include kidney and blood-pressure problems.



• Methotrexate is a common drug used for rheumatoid arthritis and, in high doses, for cancer treatment. For psoriasis, it has been used effectively for many years. It is usually given in small weekly doses (5 mg-15 mg). Blood tests are required before and during therapy. The drug may cause liver damage in some patients, particularly if there is preexisting liver disease or if given for prolonged periods of time. Close physician monitoring and monthly to quarterly visits and labs are generally required.

Psoriasis - Effective Treatments

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

What kinds of treatments have been effective for your psoriasis?

Comment submissions for this question have ended.
See 22 Viewer Comments

View Comments

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• coal tar shampoo-topical, Denorex, Neutrogena T/Gel, Pentrax, Tegrin, Zetar - Consumer information about the medication COAL TAR SHAMPOO - TOPICAL (Denorex, Neutrogena T/Gel, Pentrax, Tegrin, Zetar), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug COAL TAR SHAMPOO - TOPICAL.
• Photodynamic Therapy - Read about photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT uses a photosensitizing agent and light source to treat cancers (skin, lung, esophageal, Barrett's esophagus), acne and rosacea.
• Stress - Read about stress symptoms, signs, causes and treatment. Get information on stress management tips, the effects on the body and stress types (teen, job, PTSD).

Read more Psoriasis related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Some Parts of Human Genome Get Lost
• Stelara Approved for Psoriasis
• Brain Can Cope With Emotions of Psoriasis
• Web Is Becoming One-Stop Shopping for Health Help