Some medications for psoriasis, such as betamethasone, calcipotriol, acitretin or adalimumab, for example, may be recommended by the dermatologist for mild to severe psoriasis, as they help to alleviate symptoms, such as red, dry patches on the skin, itching or peeling. .
These remedies can be used in the form of ointments, tablets or injections, according to the dermatologist’s recommendation, who can advise the best treatment individually according to the type, location of the lesions and the severity of the psoriasis symptoms. Know how to identify the main types and symptoms of psoriasis.
In addition to treatment with psoriasis medications recommended by your doctor, it is also important to moisturize your skin daily, especially the affected areas, as well as avoiding very abrasive products that cause skin irritation and excessive dryness.
Topical remedies (creams and ointments)
Topical remedies for psoriasis, such as creams, ointments, lotions or shampoos, are normally indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis, and should be used under the advice of a dermatologist.
Some topical remedies for psoriasis are:
1. Corticosteroids
Topical corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, clobetasol or triamcinolone, help reduce skin inflammation, reducing redness, itching, swelling or peeling. See the main corticosteroid ointments that may be recommended by your doctor and how to use them.
These remedies can be used in the form of ointments, creams or hair solution, and must be recommended by a dermatologist, as the type of corticosteroid to be used depends on the region of the skin to be treated, such as the arm, face, scalp or legs, for example. .
The doses and duration of topical corticosteroids must be advised by the doctor on an individual basis.
Who shouldn’t use: people who are allergic to the components, with skin lesions caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria, people with uncontrolled rosacea or perioral dermatitis.
Possible side effects: The most common side effects of topical corticosteroids are itching, pain, burning sensation in the skin, thinning of the skin, stretch marks or acne.
2. Moisturizers and emollients
Emollient creams and ointments can be recommended by the dermatologist to be used daily, mainly for maintenance treatment after the use of corticosteroids, which helps to prevent new attacks in people with mild psoriasis.
These creams and ointments must contain urea in concentrations that can vary between 5% and 20% and/or salicylic acid in concentrations between 3% and 6%, depending on the skin type and the number of scales.
2. Calcipotriol
Calcipotriol is an analogue of vitamin D, which at a concentration of 0.005% is indicated for the treatment of psoriasis on the scalp or mild to moderate psoriasis vulgaris on the body, as it contributes to reducing the formation of psoriatic plaques on the skin.
In most cases, the dermatologist recommends the use of calcipotriol, in the form of a gel or ointment, together with a topical corticosteroid, such as betamethasone.
Some examples of gel or ointment containing calcipotriol that can be found in pharmacies or drugstores are Daivobet or Daivonex, for example, and should be used under the advice of a dermatologist.
Who shouldn’t use: calcipotriol should not be used by children or adolescents under 18 years of age, by people who are allergic to the components of the formula or who have high levels of calcium in their blood.
Possible side effects: The most common side effects of calcipotriol are skin irritation, rash, tingling, keratosis, itching, erythema, and contact dermatitis.
4. Immunosuppressants
Topical immunosuppressants, such as tacrolimus or pimecrolimus, are medications recommended by a dermatologist that act by reducing the action of the immune system, which helps to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis, such as redness or itching of the skin.
These remedies can be used in the form of an ointment, and unlike corticosteroids, immunosuppressants can be applied to areas with thinner skin, such as the face, neck or groin, after hydration, however, sun exposure should be avoided. after its application.
Who shouldn’t use: Topical immunosuppressants should not be used by people allergic to any of the formula’s components. Furthermore, children, pregnant or breastfeeding women should only use immunosuppressants if recommended by their doctor.
Possible side effects: Immunosuppressants can cause side effects such as burning or stinging sensations in the skin, or itching.
Systemic medicines (tablets or injection)
Treatment with tablets or injections for psoriasis is usually recommended by a dermatologist in cases of severe or generalized psoriasis, for example, when topical treatment has not been effective in controlling symptoms.
The main systemic remedies for psoriasis that may be recommended by your doctor are:
1. Acitretina
Acitretin is a retinoid in tablet form, generally indicated to treat severe forms of erythrodermic psoriasis or pustular psoriasis, in which pus forms along with psoriasis patches, which can be localized or generalized.
Acitretin tablets can be found in doses of 10 mg or 25 mg, sold only with a medical prescription and prescription retention by the pharmacy.
Who shouldn’t use: acitretin should not be used by people allergic to the components of the formula, pregnant women and women who wish to become pregnant in the next few years, breastfeeding women and people with severe liver or kidney failure.
Possible side effects: The most common side effects of acitretin are headache, dryness and inflammation of the mucous membranes, dry mouth, thirst, emergence of mouth ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders, cheilitis, itching, hair loss, flaking all over the body, muscle pain, increased cholesterol and blood triglycerides and generalized edema.
2. Methotrexate
Methotrexate is recommended by a dermatologist for the treatment of severe psoriasis, or when topical treatment has not been effective, as it acts by reducing the proliferation and inflammation of skin cells.
This remedy is available in pharmacies or drugstores in the form of 2.5 mg tablets, but it can also be found in hospitals in the form of 50 mg/2mL ampoules for injection, and should always be used under the advice of a dermatologist.
Who shouldn’t use: This medicine should not be used by people allergic to methotrexate, pregnant or lactating women, or in cases of cirrhosis, alcoholic disease, active hepatitis, liver failure, severe infections, immunodeficiency syndromes, medullary aplasia or hypoplasia, low blood platelet levels , anemia or acute gastric ulcer.
Possible side effects: The most common side effects of methotrexate are severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, fever, redness of the skin, increased uric acid, reduced sperm count in men, mouth ulcers, inflammation of the tongue and gums, diarrhea, reduced in white blood cell and platelet counts, renal failure and pharyngitis.
3. Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine in the form of tablets is an immunosuppressive medicine recommended by dermatologists for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, as it acts by decreasing the action of the immune system, which helps to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis.
The treatment of psoriasis with cyclosporine must be carried out with medical supervision and regular examinations to assess the health of the kidneys and monitor blood pressure, and should not exceed 1 year of treatment.
Who shouldn’t use: This medicine should not be used by people with allergies to, severe, unstable and uncontrollable high blood pressure with medication, active infections or cancer.
Possible side effects: The most common side effects of cyclosporine are kidney disorders, high blood pressure and weakening of the immune system.
4. Biological agents
Biological agents may be recommended by the dermatologist for the treatment of psoriasis when other treatment options have not been effective in reducing skin inflammation and relieving the symptoms of moderate to severe psoriasis.
Some examples of biological agents that may be indicated for the treatment of psoriasis are:
These medicines are generally used in hospitals, through injections under the skin or directly into a vein, applied by a nurse, under medical supervision.
Who shouldn’t use: Biological agents should not be used by people who are allergic to the components of the formula, or in cases of heart failure, demyelinating disease, recent history of cancer, active infection, use of live attenuated vaccines and pregnant women.
Possible side effects: The most common side effects of biological agents are injection site reactions, infections, tuberculosis, skin reactions, neoplasms, demyelinating diseases, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, itching, muscle pain and tiredness.
