Psoriasis

Topical treatments are usually the first line therapies for psoriasis. Corticosteroids, calcipotriol/calcupotriene, tazarotene, tars, and anthralin are discussed.

Psoriasis is known as a condition that significantly affects quality of life (QoL). This article discusses various aspects of psoriasis, and its symptoms as it relates to quality of life and appropriate interventions.

Moderate-to-severe psoriasis is known to affect millions of people around the globe. This chronic disease substantially impacts patients by impairing their quality of life. The biologics are the newest and most effective therapeutic weapon in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

This article focuses on topical D3 vitamin analogues for the treatment of psoriasis. Therapeutic efficacy, toxicity, patient adherence, combination therapy, and the family physician's role in psoriasis treatment are covered.

Although PDT remains an investigational treatment modality in dermatology, several important areas of development may ultimately lead to official and practical acceptance of PDT for the skin. Various uses of PDT are evaluated.

Light therapy can be an effective treatment modality when treating a large skin surface where topical medication would be inconvenient. This article covers UVB, PUVA, Re-PUVA, and laser treatments.

Etanercept has recently been approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis at a dose of 50mg twice per week for 12 weeks followed by a maintenance dose of 50mg once weekly thereafter. Clinical studies have shown excellent efficacy and a good safety profile in patients with psoriasis.

If methotrexate were introduced as a new drug today, it would be hailed as a major advance in the management of psoriasis, as well as for a number of other conditions. When patients are properly screened and educated about the correct use of this drug, and appropriately monitored during treatment, MTX is often very safe, simple to use, inexpensive, and well-tolerated.

With growing public reluctance to use systemic medications we can expect topical treatments for psoriasis and other skin conditions to become increasingly important in the future. These drugs are useful not only to control this disease, but also to limit the irritation caused by medications such as tazarotene and anthralin.

The benefits of transitioning from Cal/BD ointment or gel to aerosol foam formulation in this Canadian patient population were similar to those reported in clinical studies and were seen consistently among patients with a range of treatment priorities and with differing history of psoriasis severity and treatment history.

Many aspects of psoriasis remain a mystery - but one that is slowly becoming revealed. Various immunobiological treatments for psoriasis are covered in this article.

Biologics are one of the more effective and relatively safe options for long-term control of psoriasis. They have reduced the time needed to clear the signs of chronic disease, and are effective in maintaining a disease-free state for longer durations. Biologics can safely be used with other treatment modalities (i.e., methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin and hydroxyurea).

A review of corticosteroids, including use, adverse effects, vehicle, generic vs brand name drugs. Physicians and pharmacists alike should be aware of the importance and the difference of various vehicles when prescribing topical corticosteroids.

A novel topical corticosteroid, halobetasol propionate (HP) 0.01% lotion (Bryhali™), has recently been introduced for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses in adults.

Etanercept is a TNF-alpha receptor fused onto human IgG and inhibits TNF-alpha activity. Dosage, side-effects, and drug interactions are discussed.

A review of this list of agents that are presently undergoing clinical trial. Although only a few of the drugs on this list will gain regulatory approval, what is exciting is the likelihood that some new agents will be approved and will radically alter the way we treat psoriasis.

This article provides an overview for the drug, Efalizumab (RAPTIVA®) for the treatment of psoriasis. Indications, mechanism, contraindications, side-effects are considered.

Oral treatments for treating psoriasis are discussed. This article focuses on methotrexate, acetretin, and cyclosporine.

In October 2004 Amevive® (alefacept) became the first biologic approved for psoriasis in Canada. It is used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis. This article discusses clinical trials, side effects, and drug interactions.

Infliximab is monoclonal antibody targeted against human tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Dosage, side-effects, and drug interactions are discussed.

Psoriasis, its diagnostic features, and impact on the patient's quality of life are discussed as well as the most common topical treatments for psoriasis.

Various treatment modalities for the treatment of scalp psoriasis are considered, as well as their upsides and downsides. A list of practical tips in management are also provided.

A fixed combination halobetasol propionate and tazarotene lotion (HP/TAZ) was launched in Canada in 2020, to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. With the use of polymeric emulsion technology, there is uniform distribution of HP and TAZ and excipients on the skin and improved skin moisturization.

Moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis may be difficult to control using current therapies, which has led to development of a novel class of therapy, selective tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors, to address this unmet need.

Drs. Joël Claveau & Julien Ringuet, two Canadian dermatologists with prominent clinical and research practices, attended the Les Journées Dermatologiques de Paris conference in Nov-Dec 2022, with a focus on presentations and posters about psoriasis. This article reviews key insights they obtained at the meeting.

Topical ruxolitinib shows promise in various dermatological conditions, including atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, psoriasis, and lichen planus, with a favorable safety profile compared to oral JAK inhibitors. However, its effectiveness in alopecia areata remains inconclusive.

Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease affecting 2-4% of the Canadian population. While most psoriasis vulgaris cases are mild-to-moderate (>80%) and do not require systemic treatment, these cases can still be particularly challenging to treat as topical therapies present limitations, including efficacy and administration, leading to poor long-term treatment compliance and unsatisfactory treatment responses. The intent of this paper is to provide physicians with a clinically relevant review of the currently available and newly developed topical therapies...

Targeting PDE4 with the selective inhibitor roflumilast, specifically through topical cream at a concentration of 0.3%, has proven to be an effective and well-tolerated strategy for treating plaque psoriasis.

Explore two case studies of plaque psoriasis, treatment challenges, and novel therapeutic options, including topical roflumilast 0.3% cream. Learn how targeting PDE4 can improve psoriasis management, offering a non-steroidal, effective, and convenient solution for patients with different severities.

A review of the long-term efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-23/IL-17 pathway, in treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Evidence from Phase 3 clinical trials and extension studies demonstrates that tildrakizumab is an effective and well-tolerated therapy, significantly improving skin clearance and maintaining a favorable safety profile over several years of use.