|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Biologic
agents for psoriasis treatment
|
The past few
years have seen promising advances in the treatment of
psoraisis. New types of medication — called biologics
because they are made from living organisms — may offer
hope to people who haven't had success with other approaches
or were uncomfortable with the potential side effects of
older medications.
Biologic agents are administered by injection. They
treat psoriasis by reducing inflammation in the skin and
elsewhere in the body. These medicines are intended to
treat patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, patients
with psoriatic arthritis, or patients who have failed to
respond to other forms of treatment. Selection of a
specific agent is based on the patient's medical history,
the presence or absence of psoriatic arthritis, and other
factors. Biologic agents which we
prescribe include:
- Amevive:
The medicine is administered in the
office as a brief injection from a nurse. Treatments are
given for three months, and most people experience a
significant improvement that persists for several months
after discontinuation. Compared with other injectable
therapies, Amevive offers the greatest potential for
sustained clearance after the drug is discontinued.
Eventually, the psoriasis begins to return, and patients
would then return to repeat the treatment course. Because
it is administered in the office, Amevive is paid for as
part of the medical benefit of health insurance plans. This
may be a useful option for patients with high co-pays for
prescription drugs.
- Enbrel: Enbrel is self-injected by patients
in the convenience of their home. It is intended for
long-term, continuous use by persons with moderate to severe
psoriatic skin disease or persons with psoriatic arthritis.
- Humira: Humira is self-injected by patients
in the convenience of their home. It is intended for
long-term, continuous use by persons with moderate to severe
psoriatic skin disease or persons with psoriatic arthritis.
- Raptiva: Raptiva is self-injected by
patients at home. It is intended for long-term,
continuous use by persons with moderate to severe psoriasis.
- Remicade: This medication is given via
intravenous infusion. This is administered over a 3-hour
period in a specialized infusion center. It is extremely
effective for cutaneous psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
It is paid for as part of the medical benefit of health
insurance plans, and may be a useful option for patients
with high co-pays for prescription drugs.
|
|
|
