Tired of living with psoriasis? Check out the top injectable psoriasis treatment options! Psoriasis can be an incredibly uncomfortable condition for many people, causing pain, itching and unsightly patches of red, scaly skin. While you may have tried numerous topical and oral medications with limited effect, for many patients, injectable medications can be a much more viable option. While chronic psoriasis cannot be cured, numerous injections may be able to help get to the root cause of plaque psoriasis, effectively reversing its effects. Through our analysis, we've found the top three injectable psoriasis medications to be Stelara, Taltz and Methotrexate. If you are in need of psoriasis treatment, check out these most frequently asked questions about the top injectable psoriasis treatments.
Psoriasis occurs when the immune system becomes overactive, increasing the turnover rate of new cells, causing new skin cells to generate before the old skin cells have had a chance to shed. Most treatment involves slowing the immune system down enough to allow for a healthy turnover, allowing skin cells to shed before new cells are produced.
Biologics are a type of injectable medication that can be used to treat psoriasis. They are made from living cells grown in a lab, where proteins are then harvested from those cells. In turn, these proteins are then used to target immune system proteins that are the root cause of the skin cell growth rate. Biologics will target the immune systems T cells and stop the proteins in the immune system from growing.
There are several different types of proteins linked to psoriasis. Interleukin-12 and interleukin-23 are two proteins that are linked to the symptoms of psoriasis, causing the inflammation that produces redness and itching. Interleukin-17A is another protein that causes the immune system to react, leading to psoriasis and its symptoms.
Stelara is an injectable medication that is injected under the skin. It works to treat plaque psoriasis by blocking Interleukin-12 and interleukin-23 that produce inflammation. However, it can produce some pain and inflammation at the site of injection, but this will usually go away after a couple days.
Taltz is an autoinjector that provides a controlled injection under the skin. It blocks interleukin-17 that can produce inflammation. Use exactly as the doctor or pharmacist have directed. A reaction may occur at the site of injection but will usually go away on its own rather quickly.
Abitrexate is an injectable form of methotrexate that can be used to treat severe cases of psoriasis that works by suppressing the immune system. Common side effects of Abitrexate include black or bloody stools, diarrhea, stomach pain, joint pain, and swelling of the feet or legs. Drowsiness and dizziness may also occur.
Injectable medications may be used in combination with other medications if needed. For example methotrexate can be used in combination with psoriasis treatments like Humira, Cimzia and Henbral – other injectable medications.
Non-biologic medications are available. Methotrexate is anti-rheumatic drug that is disease-modifying, which works to suppress the immune system, preventing inflammation and the other symptoms associated with psoriasis. While is often available in an oral medication form, it is also available as an injection.