Treatment For Psoriasis
The past decade has witnessed significant advances in our understanding of the key causes of psoriasis. As a result, novel and highly targeted medications have been developed, and are now becoming available to patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Scientific research continues to shed light on the causes of psoriasis and allows for the development of such new therapies to benefit patients.
In the future, it is hoped that developments will evolve in the following major areas.
Increased Understanding of the Causes of Psoriasis
There have been significant advances in our understanding of the key causes of psoriasis. The immune system has been recognized as playing a major role in the formation of psoriasis. This immune dysfunction results in the generation of immune cells (like T-lymphocytes) that release chemical messengers, called cytokines, which stimulate the skin and joints to create the characteristic red, scaling lesions of psoriasis and swollen, tender joints of psoriatic arthritis. Increasing knowledge of the pathways and triggers of inflammation, and the immunologic basis for psoriasis, will enable us to develop specifically targeted biologic agents. It is believed that they will be safer and work more effectively. Currently there are a number of these exciting new drugs under development.
Psoriasis Treatment Guidelines - Side Effects, Reactions and Risks
Psoriasis Treatment Guidelines
Common Side Effects
Most common side effects are not serious.
Injection-Site Reactions
Redness at the drug-injection site has been commonly seen in patients treated with biologics. The majority of the injection-site reactions have been mild.
Allergic Reactions
Any drug can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Common Side Effects
Most common side effects are not serious.
Injection-Site Reactions
Redness at the drug-injection site has been commonly seen in patients treated with biologics. The majority of the injection-site reactions have been mild.
Allergic Reactions
Any drug can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
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| Psoriasis Treatment Guidelines |
Psoriasis Alternative Treatment - How Do I Decide Which Biologic Is Right for Me
Psoriasis Alternative Treatment
The development of a number of new specific, rational therapies has been an important advance in the treatment of psoriasis and has led to an important shift in the way that dermatologists manage this chronic disease. Nonetheless, the number of choices that patients are faced with makes the decision as to which biologic they would choose confusing. Before making a decision, discuss your preferences and thoughts regarding the type of therapy you want with your physician as this will help determine the right choice for you.
There are several questions to consider that may help you decide among the biologics.
The development of a number of new specific, rational therapies has been an important advance in the treatment of psoriasis and has led to an important shift in the way that dermatologists manage this chronic disease. Nonetheless, the number of choices that patients are faced with makes the decision as to which biologic they would choose confusing. Before making a decision, discuss your preferences and thoughts regarding the type of therapy you want with your physician as this will help determine the right choice for you.
There are several questions to consider that may help you decide among the biologics.
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| Psoriasis Alternative Treatment |
Ustekinumab For Psoriasis
Ustekinumab For Psoriasis
Ustekinumab was recently approved in Canada and the U.S. for the treatment of psoriasis, but is not approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Several large studies have been conducted and research is ongoing regarding its use in psoriatic arthritis.
Ustekinumab is the first of a new class of medications that targets chemical messengers known as interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23 (IL-23). These are naturally occurring proteins that are important in regulating the immune system and believed to be associated with certain immune-related inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis. This new medication regulates IL-12 and IL-23, reducing the inflammation in the skin cells and helping to control the signs and symptoms of psoriasis. Of interest, it is becoming increasingly clear that IL23 and a new type of recently described T-cell (T-helper 17) are of central importance in the development of psoriasis. Interleukin-23 stimulates the growth and the survival of T-helper 17 cells, which may be of central importance in stimulating the skin cell to proliferate, resulting in the changes of psoriasis.
Ustekinumab was recently approved in Canada and the U.S. for the treatment of psoriasis, but is not approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Several large studies have been conducted and research is ongoing regarding its use in psoriatic arthritis.
Ustekinumab is the first of a new class of medications that targets chemical messengers known as interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-23 (IL-23). These are naturally occurring proteins that are important in regulating the immune system and believed to be associated with certain immune-related inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis. This new medication regulates IL-12 and IL-23, reducing the inflammation in the skin cells and helping to control the signs and symptoms of psoriasis. Of interest, it is becoming increasingly clear that IL23 and a new type of recently described T-cell (T-helper 17) are of central importance in the development of psoriasis. Interleukin-23 stimulates the growth and the survival of T-helper 17 cells, which may be of central importance in stimulating the skin cell to proliferate, resulting in the changes of psoriasis.
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| Ustekinumab For Psoriasis |
Adalimumab Side Effects
Adalimumab Side Effects
What should you tell your doctor while receiving adalimumab?
If you develop any of the following while taking adalimumab, you should contact your doctor immediately:
Infections: If you develop an infection or symptoms of an infection, you might need to stop taking adalimumab, so contact your doctor. If your doctor gives you a treatment for infection, it should be taken right away and as prescribed. Treatment with adalimumab should be stopped if you develop a serious infection. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, and/or a cough.
What should you tell your doctor while receiving adalimumab?
If you develop any of the following while taking adalimumab, you should contact your doctor immediately:
Infections: If you develop an infection or symptoms of an infection, you might need to stop taking adalimumab, so contact your doctor. If your doctor gives you a treatment for infection, it should be taken right away and as prescribed. Treatment with adalimumab should be stopped if you develop a serious infection. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, and/or a cough.
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| Adalimumab Side Effects |
Adalimumab For Psoriasis
Adalimumab For Psoriasis
This biologic therapy is currently approved in Canada and U.S. for the treatment of adults with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis. Adalimumab hinds and blocks tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a chemical that is made by cells in the immune system and sends faulty signals to the skin and joints. Patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis produce too much TNF-alpha, which results in the inflammation causing red, scaly, skin lesions and swollen, tender joints.
Adalimumab helps reduce the inflammation by blocking and reducing the amount of TNF-alpha, and interrupting the inflammatory cycle that is seen in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Adalimumab works quite quickly and many patients will notice an improvement within the first month; however, for others it may take up to three or four months to the best improvement.
This biologic therapy is currently approved in Canada and U.S. for the treatment of adults with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis. Adalimumab hinds and blocks tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a chemical that is made by cells in the immune system and sends faulty signals to the skin and joints. Patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis produce too much TNF-alpha, which results in the inflammation causing red, scaly, skin lesions and swollen, tender joints.
Adalimumab helps reduce the inflammation by blocking and reducing the amount of TNF-alpha, and interrupting the inflammatory cycle that is seen in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Adalimumab works quite quickly and many patients will notice an improvement within the first month; however, for others it may take up to three or four months to the best improvement.
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| Adalimumab For Psoriasis |
Before Using Etanercept
Before Using Etanercept
What You Should Tell the Doctor before Starting Etanercept
You should tell your doctor if you:
What You Should Tell the Doctor before Starting Etanercept
You should tell your doctor if you:
- are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant
- are breast-feeding
- have problems with your immune system (HIV/AIDS)
- have a history of heart failure
- have a history of cancer
- have tuberculosis, have had it, or have been recently exposed to it; you will need to have a tuberculosis skin test done; if you have tuberculosis, you will need medication to treat the tuberculosis before you start etanercept therapy to prevent worsening of your tuberculosis
- have had a recent severe infection, or are prone to infections or recurring infections
- are taking any other medications or herbal supplements
- have an allergy to etanercept or any of its components
- have problems or diseases with the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis; if you experience any numbness, tingling, or visual changes before, during, or after eranercept treatment, you should tell your doctor; a small number of patients who have received etanercept have experienced a worsening in their multiple sclerosis and other rare diseases of the nervous system
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