Biologics are a group of systemic medications that work on certain inflammatory pathways to reduce the impact of psoriasis on your skin. Jeremy S. Fenton, M.D., a dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, says the medications are not only effective, but also safe. Of course, no drug is without potential side effects, so always talk with your doctor about possible risks before starting a new treatment plan.
Q: What new psoriasis treatments are you excited about?
Jeremy S. Fenton: There have been so many great psoriasis treatments that have come out in recent years. And it's really great that we have learned so much more about the mechanism of psoriasis. And what makes me the most excited about treatments that have recently come out and that are in the pipeline are the biologic medications. And the biologic medications, they have been able to further isolate the components of the immune system that are most involved with psoriasis, such that they're making them more and more specific in order to target the areas that are most important for psoriasis and minimize the risk of side effects. And I believe this not only makes the medications more effective, but also helps improve the safety profile and makes them even safer to use than they have been in the past.
Q: I have concerns about starting a systemic psoriasis medication. Any advice?
Jeremy S. Fenton: I see a lot of patients with severe psoriasis, and it has a very negative impact on their life and a lot of them can be very concerned about starting a systemic medication. I don't think that starting a medication should be taken lightly because it is a systemic medication that you would be on long-term. But I do feel confident in saying that these medications, many of them have been around for a long time and they've been used safely for many years with very low risks of complications.
Now, nothing is 100% safe, but you have to weigh the risks and benefits, and I believe the risks for most of these medications are very low. And if it's going to improve the quality of your life, it's definitely worth considering. And if you're concerned about the safety, I would recommend sticking with one of the medications that has a long enough track record such that doctors feel very comfortable providing it. You may not need to go to one of the new ones that just came out because some of the older ones that have been around for five, 10 years may be sufficient to control your psoriasis.