Psoriasis Medications
by Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 04/28/2006 at 05:14PM
Psoriasis is a life long condition that is most often treated with medication, either on its own, or in combination with other forms of therapy. There are several types of psoriasis medication and they can be found in both over the counter and prescription strengths. In general, psoriasis medication can be described as either topical, meaning it is applied directly to the skin and will only affect the desired area, or systemic, meaning that the medication will affect the entire body. Read on to learn more about the different types of psoriasis medication that are available, and decide if one is right for you.
Topical Psoriasis Medications
Topical psoriasis medications are can be effective in the treatment of the condition. Some are available over the counter, while others require a prescription from your health care provider.
Anthralin: This psoriasis medication is available by prescription only. It is very effective in treating plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the condition. And while it does not work as quickly or as efficiently as topical steroids, it also does not produce the negative side effects that are often associated with these medications (see below.) Author Comment: Contains harmful chemicals!
Donovex: Donovex is a synthetic form of vitamin D3 that is available by prescription. It works by slowing down the rate of cell growth and removing the scales that develop with psoriasis.
Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid is available in both over the counter and prescription strengths. It helps to remove the scales of psoriasis and it is most often used in combination with other psoriasis medications such as anthralin, topical steroids, or coal tar.
Coal Tar: Tar is widely regarded as the traditional treatment for psoriasis. It can be used to treat any form of the condition, regardless of the location or severity.
Tazorac: This psoriasis medication is available by prescription only. It is a derivative of vitamin A that is also referred to as a topical retinoid. Tazorac comes in both cream and gel forms.
Topical Steroids: Topical steroids, or corticosteroids, are commonly used in the treatment of psoriasis. These psoriasis medications usually work quickly and effectively, but they are also associated with a number of negative side effects, such as skin thinning, changes in skin pigmentation, stretch marks, easy bruising, dilated blood vessels, facial psoriasis, and other types of skin damage. They come in varying strengths, ranging from super-potent, to less potent. As with many medications, it is possible that you will continually need stronger and stronger doses of topical steroids in order for them to remain effective. The following potency chart below list the potencies of a variety of steroid medications used to treat psoriasis.
| BRAND NAME | GENERIC NAME | |
CLASS 1 - Superpotent | ||
| Clobex Lotion, 0.05% | Clobetasol propionate | |
| Cormax Cream/Solution, 0.05% | Clobetasol propionate | |
| Diprolene Gel/Ointment, 0.05% | Betamethasone dipropionate | |
| Olux Foam, 0.05% | Clobetasol propionate | |
| Psorcon Ointment, 0.05% | Diflorasone diacetate | |
| Temovate Cream/Ointment/Solution, 0.05% | Clobetasol propionate | |
| Ultravate Cream/Ointment, 0.05% | Halobetasol propionate | |
| CLASS 2 - Potent | ||
| Cyclocort Ointment, 0.1% | Amcinonide | |
| Diprolene Cream AF, 0.05% | Betamethasone dipropionate | |
| Diprosone Ointment, 0.05% | Betamethasone dipropionate | |
| Elocon Ointment, 0.1% | Mometasone furoate | |
| Florone Ointment, 0.05% | Diflorasone diacetate | |
| Halog Ointment/Cream, 0.1% | Halcinonide | |
| Lidex Cream/Gel/Ointment, 0.05% | Fluocinonide | |
| Maxiflor Ointment, 0.05% | Diflorasone diacetate | |
| Maxivate Ointment, 0.05% | Betamethasone dipropionate | |
| Psorcon Cream 0.05% | Diflorasone diacetate | |
| Topicort Cream/Ointment, 0.25% | Desoximetasone | |
| Topicort Gel, 0.05% | Desoximetasone | |
| CLASS 3 - Upper Mid-Strength | ||
| Aristocort A Ointment, 0.1% | Triamcinolone acetonide | |
| Cutivate Ointment, 0.005% | Fluticasone propionate | |
| Cyclocort Cream/Lotion, 0.1% | Amcinonide | |
| Diprosone Cream, 0.05% | Betamethasone dipropionate | |
| Florone Cream, 0.05% | Diflorasone diacetate | |
| Lidex-E Cream, 0.05% | Fluocinonide | |
| Luxiq Foam, 0.12% | Betamethasone valerate | |
| Maxiflor Cream, 0.05% | Diflorasone diacetate | |
| Maxivate Cream/Lotion, 0.05% | Betamethasone dipropionate | |
| Topicort Cream, 0.05% | Desoximetasone | |
| Valisone Ointment, 0.1% | Betamethasone valerate | |
| CLASS 4 - Mid-Strength | ||
| Aristocort Cream, 0.1% | Triamcinolone acetonide | |
| Cordran Ointment, 0.05% | Flurandrenolide | |
| Derma-Smoothe/FS Oil, 0.01% | Fluocinolone acetonide | |
| Elocon Cream, 0.1% | Mometasone furoate | |
| Kenalog Cream/Ointment/Spray, 0.1% | Triamcinolone acetonide | |
| Synalar Ointment, 0.025% | Fluocinolone acetonide | |
| Uticort Gel, 0.025% | Betamethasone benzoate | |
| Westcort Ointment, 0.2% | Hydrocortisone valerate | |
| CLASS 5 - Lower Mid-Strength | ||
| Cordran Cream/Lotion/Tape, 0.05% | Flurandrenolide | |
| Cutivate Cream, 0.05% | Fluticasone propionate | |
| DermAtop Cream, 0.1% | Prednicarbate | |
| DesOwen Ointment, 0.05% | Desonide | |
| Diprosone Lotion, 0.05% | Betamethasone dipropionate | |
| Kenalog Lotion, 0.1% | Triamcinolone acetonide | |
| Locoid Cream, 0.1% | Hydrocortisone butyrate | |
| Pandel Cream 0.1% | Hydrocortisone probutate | |
| Synalar Cream, 0.025% | Fluocinolone acetonide | |
| Uticort Cream/Lotion, 0.025% | Betamethasone benzoate | |
| Valisone Cream/Ointment, 0.1% | Betamethasone valerate | |
| Westcort Cream, 0.2% | Hydrocortisone valerate | |
| CLASS 6 - Mild | ||
| Aclovate Cream/Ointment, 0.05% | Alclometasone dipropionate | |
| DesOwen Cream, 0.05% | Desonide | |
| Synalar Cream/Solution, 0.01% | Fluocinolone acetonide | |
| Tridesilon Cream, 0.05% | Desonide | |
| Valisone Lotion, 0.1% | Betamethasone valerate | |
| CLASS 7 - Least Potent | ||
| Topicals with hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone and prednisolone | ||
Systemic Psoriasis Medications
Systemic medications can also be used to treat psoriasis, although more precautions must be taken when using these drugs, as they tend to affect the entire body, rather than just the afflicted area.
Cyclosporine: This psoriasis medication is available by prescription. It was originally approved in 1995 to help prevent organ rejection in transplant patients. Since 1997, it has also be used for the treatment of psoriasis.
Methotrexate: This systemic psoriasis medication was also originally created for a different purpose. It was initially used to treat cancer, but was also approved for the treatment of psoriasis in the 1970s.
Soriatane: Soriatane is a synthetic form of vitamin A that is also referred to as an oral retinoid. It has been used for the treatment of psoriasis since the 1980s.
Accutane: Accutane is another prescription oral retinoid that is also used for the treatment of cystic acne.
Other Systemic Psoriasis Medications: Hydrea, mycophenolate mofetil, sulfasalazine, 6-Thioguanine
