What Are Biologics? And How Do They Treat Psoriasis?

Have you noticed a lot of advertisements for medications that treat psoriasis lately? Many of these drugs are biologics. Although not new, biologics are one of the fastest-growing drug categories in the U.S. – and they don’t just treat psoriasis. They also treat other diseases. If you have psoriasis, you may be wondering what these drugs do and the side effects they may have.

Here are answers to common questions about using biologics in the treatment of psoriasis:

What are biologics?

These drugs are developed from living organisms (human or animal) and target specific parts of the immune system to treat disease. They may also be referred to as biological response modifiers or biological agents.

What kind of diseases do biologics treat?

Biologics treat psoriasis, which is an autoimmune disorder that affects the skin. They also treat other autoimmune diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, as well as some cancers.

How do you take biologics?

These medicines are given as an injection or an infusion into a vein. Depending on the drug, you’ll need to take it anywhere from twice a week to once every three months.

How do biologics work when treating psoriasis?

These drugs target the part of the immune system that is overactive in people who have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. They block reactions that cause inflammation and other skin-related symptoms including redness, scaliness, itchiness, dryness and pain. They also help stop joint pain, stiffness and swelling in people with psoriatic arthritis. Biologics are powerful drugs but are only used for moderate to severe psoriasis when other treatments have failed due to the potential for serious side effects.

What are the side effects of biologics?

The most common side effects are mild and may include infusion or injection site reactions, such as redness, swelling, pain or itching. You may also have a headache, nausea or stomach upset. One of the biggest concerns about biologics is that they may raise your risk of infection because they weaken your immune system. There may be other side effects as well.

Are biologics an effective psoriasis treatment?

For people with moderate to severe forms of the disease, biologics may be the most effective treatment available. The drugs tend to be more effective if you take them continuously, rather than starting and stopping treatment. But sometimes a biologic may become less effective over time. If this happens, using another biologic may work better.

What should I do if I’m interested in taking a biologic?

If you have moderate to severe psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks before deciding if biologics are right for you. You’ll need to have some medical tests done before it can be determined if it’s safe to take these drugs, including blood and tuberculosis tests. Other tests may also need to be performed. You’ll also need to have some tests done periodically while you’re on the medication.