Kidney damage

Skin malignancies
Hypertension
Excessive hair growth
Tremor

Blood pressure monitoring

Kidney function monitoring

Decreased kidney function

Headache
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Skin sensitivity
Flu-like symptoms
Upset stomach
Tiredness
Musculoskeletal pain

Hair loss
Chapped lips
Dry skin
Bleeding gums
Peeling fingertips
Changes in blood-fat levels
Depression
Headache
Joint pain

Liver enzyme testing

Cholesterol screening
Triglyceride monitoring

Birth defects
Elevated cholesterol
Liver damage

Continuously to maintain results

Daily

Orally via capsule

Psoriasis

Soriatane

National Psoriasis Foundation educational materials are medically reviewed and are not intended to replace the counsel of a physician. The Psoriasis Foundation does not endorse any
medications, products or treatments for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis and advises you to consult a physician before initiating any treatment.

Complete blood count

Chem screen (liver, kidney
function)
Occasional liver biopsies

None

Monitoring - Some adverse

reactions can be detected by
laboratory tests such as blood
counts or liver function tests.

Liver damage
Birth defects
Reduced white blood cell count
Increased toxicity in patients
with poor kidney function

Unexplained weight loss

Nausea
Tiredness
Difficulty sleeping
Light headedness
Mouth ulcers
Vomiting
Headache
Easy bruising
Fever
Chills

Possible risks - The possible

risks listed include serious
adverse events that have been
reported in association with these
medications during and after
clinical trials.

Up to one year maximum

Continuously to maintain results

Continuously to maintain results

Duration - How long the drug

must be taken

Nausea
Common side effects - A side
effect is an undesirable secondary Diarrhea
effect of a medication. Side effects Headache
may vary for each individual
depending on disease state, age,
weight, gender, ethnicity and
general health. All medications
have side effects.

Daily

Once per week; doses may be

divided and taken three times
over 24 hours

30 mg twice daily

Orally via liquid or capsule

Psoriasis

Cyclosporine

Frequency - How often the drug

must be taken

Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis

Methotrexate

Orally via liquid or pill or by

subcutaneous injection

Psoriatic arthritis

Apremilast

Otezla

Method of delivery - How the drug Orally via tablet

is given or taken

Indication - Which diseases the

drug treats

Treatment type - For moderate

to severe psoriasis and psoriatic
arthritis

TRADITIONAL SYSTEMIC AND NEW ORAL TREATMENTS (SEE REVERSE FOR BIOLOGIC TREATMENTS)

TREATMENT COMPARISON

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis

Enbrel
Etanercept

Injection site reactions

Upper respiratory
infections
Headaches
Rash
Nausea

Serious infection
Nervous system
problems
New or worsening heart
failure
Allergic reactions
Lupus-like syndrome
Lymphoma
Hepatitis B reactivation
Skin cancer

Injection site reactions

Upper respiratory
infections
Headaches

Serious infection
Nervous system
problems
New or worsening heart
failure
Allergic reactions
Lupus-like syndrome
Lymphoma
Hepatitis B reactivation
Skin cancer

Tuberculosis screening
Annual blood count and
liver function tests

Upper respiratory
infection
Rash
Urinary tract infections
Headache
Fatigue
Nausea

Serious infection
Nervous system
problems
New or worsening heart
failure
Allergic reactions
Lupus-like syndrome
Malignancies
Hepatitis B reactivation

Tuberculosis screening
Annual blood count and
liver function tests

Common side effects - A side

effect is an undesirable secondary
effect of a medication. Side effects
may vary for each individual
depending on disease state, age,
weight, gender, ethnicity and
general health. All medications
have side effects.

Possible risks - The possible

risks listed include serious
adverse events that have been
reported in association with these
medications during and after
clinical trials.

Monitoring - Some adverse

reactions can be detected by
laboratory tests such as blood
counts or liver function tests.

Respiratory infections
Headache
Rash
Coughing
Stomach pain

Tuberculosis screening
Annual blood count and
liver function tests

Serious infection
Nervous system
problems
New or worsening heart
failure
Allergic reactions
Lupus-like syndrome
Lymphoma
Hepatitis B reactivation
Skin cancer
Anaphylaxis
Liver enzyme
abnormalities

Continuously to maintain
results

3 times in first 6 weeks,

then every 8 weeks

Intravenous infusion by
health care professional

Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis

Remicade
Infliximab

Tuberculosis screening

Increased risk of
serious infections
Reactivation of latent
infections, including
tuberculosis
Reversible posterior
leukoencephalopathy
syndrome
Hypersensitivity
reactions

Hepatitis B reactivation
New or worsening heart
failure
Nervous system
problems
Liver failure
Low blood count
Lupus-like symptoms
Allergic reactions
Lymphoma

Tuberculosis screening
Annual blood count and
liver function tests

Upper respiratory
infections
Headache
Tiredness
Fatigue

Continuously to maintain
results

Week 0, week 4, then

every 3 months

Subcutaneous injection by
a health care professional

Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis

Stelara
Ustekinumab

Upper respiratory
infection
Nausea
Abnormal liver tests
Injection site reactions
High blood pressure
Bronchitis
Dizziness
Flu

Continuously to maintain
results

Monthly

Subcutaneous selfinjection

Psoriatic arthritis

Simponi
Golimumab

National Psoriasis Foundation educational materials are medically reviewed and are not intended to replace the counsel of a physician. The Psoriasis Foundation does not endorse any medications,
products or treatments for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis and advises you to consult a physician before initiating any treatment.

Tuberculosis screening
Annual blood count and
liver function tests

Continuously to maintain
results

Continuously to maintain
results

Continuously to maintain
results

Duration - How long the drug

must be taken

Every other week

Week 0, week 2, and week 4, 1-2 times weekly

and either every two weeks
or every four weeks
thereafter

Subcutaneous selfinjection

Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis

Humira
Adalimumab

Frequency - How often the drug

must be taken

Method of delivery - How the drug Subcutaneous injection by a Subcutaneous selfhealth care professional, or injection
is given or taken
self-injection

Indication - Which diseases the

drug treats

Cimzia
Certolizumab pegol

BIOLOGIC TREATMENTS (SEE REVERSE FOR NEW ORAL AND TRADITIONAL SYSTEMIC TREATMENTS)

Treatment type - For moderate

to severe psoriasis and psoriatic
arthritis