Your doctor will prescribe a psoriasis treatment for you based on many things, including the severity and location of your psoriasis, your age, and your medical history. Therapies commonly used include:
Topical therapies
Topical therapies, such as creams and gels, are often prescribed for mild to moderate psoriasis. They are applied directly to the skin surface. Topicals help slow down or normalize skin cell growth and help reduce redness and inflammation. Examples include Dovonex®* (calcipotriene), a synthetic vitamin D cream, Tazorac®* (tazarotene), a vitamin A derivative, and steroid creams. Other therapies commonly used are coal tar and anthralin.
Light therapies
In light therapy, the skin—or just the psoriatic plaque—is exposed to ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB rays). The treatment helps slow down skin cell growth and kill T-cells (a type of immune cell). Light therapies are used for moderate to severe psoriasis. One type of light therapy, PUVA, combines medication (psoralen) with ultraviolet light (UVA). PUVA is used for patients with severe psoriasis. Treatment is usually administered in a dermatologist's office or psoriasis clinic.
Systemic therapies
Systemic medications circulate throughout the body. They can be taken in pill form or given by injection. Examples of systemic medications include retinoids, such as Soriatane®* (acitretin), and medications that suppress the immune system, such as Neoral®* (cyclosporine) and methotrexate.
Psoriasis Biologics
Biologics are the latest advancement in systemic psoriasis treatment. They are injectable treatments for people with moderate or severe psoriasis. Currently available biologic therapies work in one of three different ways:
- By blocking activation of a type of white blood cell called the T-cell
- By binding to a protein in the immune system called tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
- By targeting your body's immune system and inhibiting the action of two proteins (IL-12 and IL-23) that may be involved in plaque psoriasis
STELARA® is a prescription medicine approved to treat adults 18 years and older with moderate or severe plaque psoriasis that involves large areas or many areas of their body, who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).
STELARA® is a biologic that targets IL-12 and IL-23 to help provide relief from the symptoms associated with plaque psoriasis, such as plaque thickness, scaling, and redness—with 4 doses a year after 2 starter doses.
STELARA® is an injection given under the skin by a healthcare provider as directed by your doctor at weeks 0, 4, and every 12 weeks thereafter. Each injection is given using a small needle. STELARA® is available in 45 mg or 90 mg doses; your doctor will choose the right dose for you. Make sure you keep all your scheduled follow-up appointments. Learn more about STELARA®.
STELARA® is not for everyone; only your doctor can decide if it's right for you. STELARA® is a prescription medicine that affects your immune system. It can increase your chances of having serious side effects including infections, cancer, serious allergic reactions and a rare condition called reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome.
Please read the Important Safety Information below and the Medication Guide for STELARA® to learn more about these and other risks for STELARA®. Discuss any questions you have with your doctor.
