|
Table1:
Summary of Current Topical Treatments
|
|
Agent
of Class
|
Therapeutic
Class
|
Adverse
Effects
|
|
Emollients
|
Keratinolytics
|
Folliculitis,
contact dermatitis
|
|
Salicylic
acid
|
Keratinolytics
|
Skin
irritation, risk of salicylate toxicity when applied
extensively.
|
|
Coal
Tar
|
Coal
tar solution
|
Staining,
irritating of some products, make skin more sensitive
to ultraviolet light. In animal studies, its has been
shown to increase the chance of skin cancer.
|
|
Calcipotriene/
Calcipotriol
|
Derivative
of Vitamin D
|
Skin
irritation, hypercalcemia
|
|
Tazarotene
|
A
topical retinoid (Vitamin A derivative)
|
Itching,
burning/stinging, erythema, worsening of psoriasis,
irritation and skin pain.
|
|
Corticosteroids
|
Steroid
|
Skin
thinning, stretch marks, a resistance to medication.
|
|
Table
2: Summary of Current Systemic Treatments
|
|
Agent
of Class
|
Therapeutic
Class
|
Adverse
Effects
|
|
Methotrexate
|
Antimetabolite
(folic
acid antagonist)
|
Extremely
careful monitoring is required. Short-term: nausea,
fatigue, and loss of appetite and mouth soar.
Long-term: a liver biopsy may be necessary to verify
that the drug is not damaging the organ. May cause
birth defect. It should not be used by pregnant women
or men or women who are trying to conceive.
|
|
Acitretin,
Soriatane
(in
the U.S.)
|
Oral
Retinoids
|
Dry
skin and mucous membranes, peeling of palms and soles,
alopecia, skin fragility, nail thinning,
hyperlipidemia, elevated liver enzymes, teratogenicity,
birth defects in developing fetuses
|
|
Cyclosporine
|
Calcineurin
inhibitor
|
Causing
high blood pressure Damaging kidney functions. Not
approved for continuous treatment of more than one
year.
|
